Japa’ Syndrome in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Abstract

Recently, tertiary institutions in Nigeria are plagued with a major problem called Japa’ syndrome which simply mean mass exodus of professionals from Nigeria to other part of developed countries for greener pasture. Daily, academic staff and non-academic staff of Nigerian tertiary institutions are moving out of the country for a better placement in the developed countries. This paper discuss the effects of Japa’ syndrome on the tertiary institutions development and measures to tackle the Japa’ syndrome across the tertiary institutions. Depending on online publications and print materials collected from internet and print resources. The paper identified factors responsible for Japa’ syndrome among academic staff of tertiary institutions to includes; poor salaries, poor work condition, economic hardship, insecurity problems in Nigeria, inadequate infrastructure facilities and bad leadership. On the effects of Japa’ syndrome on the tertiary institutions development, the paper listed shortage of academic staff, poor quality of tertiary institutions, capital flight and slowing down tertiary institutions development. On measures to tackle Japa’ syndrome among academic staff of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, adequate funding, upward review of academic staff salaries and payment of withheld salaries and earned allowances, provision of modern infrastructure facilities, good and governance and provision of adequate security across the country.