About 80% of the people I started flying with here in Nigeria have left the country
BY ANTHONY OMOH
The brain drain in aviation is affecting Nigeria’s aviation industry. There is a massive exodus as skilled professionals are leaving for better opportunities abroad, creating staff shortages. This phenomenon, called “Japa” in Yoruba, means “to flee” and has caused a shortage of experienced personnel, affecting operations and safety. Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), highlighted this issue in a recent interview. He warned that the trend threatens safety standards and operational efficiency.
Captain Badeh, an experienced pilot with over 6,000 flight hours, expressed deep concern. “About 80% of the people I started flying with here in Nigeria have left the country,” he said. Many professionals seek better salaries and improved working conditions overseas. This brain drain in aviation has made it harder to retain skilled pilots, engineers, and maintenance experts.
The challenge is not limited to aviation. Sectors like healthcare are also affected, but aviation’s reliance on technical expertise makes it vulnerable. “We have some capacity, but a lot of our maintenance people have left the country to go fly elsewhere,” Badeh stated. He stressed the need for improved training, infrastructure, and salaries to keep professionals in Nigeria.
Beyond immediate staffing shortages, the long-term impact includes rising operational costs and reliance on foreign technical support. While Nigeria has aviation training institutions, many graduates leave for international jobs. Retaining talent remains a key challenge.
To address this issue, Badeh called for investments in aviation infrastructure, competitive pay, and continuous professional development. He also urged partnerships with international aviation bodies to strengthen local expertise and meet global safety standards.
As Nigeria works to become a regional aviation hub, the loss of skilled professionals poses a major hurdle. Addressing this brain drain in aviation is crucial to securing the industry’s future and ensuring safe air travel for millions.
