The Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, has revealed that 30% of civil servants sent abroad for training have failed to return to Nigeria.

Disclosing this during a press briefing to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office(The State Governor), on Wednesday —the commissioner said the efforts of the government to build a better workforce through international training has been continually ruined by ‘Japa syndrome’. As the number of youths dodging the country for better opportunities abroad keep increasing.

The commissioner revealed that; while 70% returned, 30% failed to come back from such training.

“A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024.

“Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organized which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance,” he said.

Revealing how the government has granted about 8,000 civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to study —Ayantayo highlighted some achievements of the ministry including the approval of a N35,000 wage increase for workers to compensate them for the economic hardship in the nation.

While Ayantayo remained silent on the amount of severance allowance the state government paid to political office holders whose tenure already expired — he revealed how the state has paid the Medical Residency Training Fund, Rural Allowance for Primary Healthcare Workers granting bonuses and wage awards to staff of the Lagos State College of Medicine.

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