By John Ikani
The House of Representatives has in a unanimous decision on Thursday, rejected a motion aimed at addressing the mass emigration of Nigerian professionals to other countries in search of better opportunities.
The motion titled ‘Need to Declare Emigration of Young Nigerians Abroad A.K.A Japa Syndrome a National Emergency’ was introduced by Philip Agbese, a newly elected member of the House.
Agbese called for a national summit involving key stakeholders to tackle the ‘Japa syndrome’ phenomenon.
Referring to statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, Agbese highlighted the increasing number of young Nigerians relocating abroad. He expressed concerns over the implications this trend has on Nigeria’s economy, intellectual capital, and social fabric.
“The eagerness to migrate to countries that offer hope seems to have a compelling influence,” Agbese stated.
“It is worrying that those leaving Nigeria include not only the poor but also skilled professionals such as bankers, lecturers, healthcare practitioners, doctors, nurses, and other trained individuals who were educated in Nigeria. Their departure comes at a time when their services are needed to build a strong and vibrant economy.”
However, the motion faced opposition from members of the House who raised constitutional concerns.
Dennis Idahosa, a ranking member, supported the motion, but Sada Soli argued that adopting the motion would infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians, specifically the right to freedom of movement.
Similarly, the immediate-past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase, pointed out that any law or motion conflicting with the Constitution would be considered null and void.
He emphasized the need to address the constitutional issue before proceeding with the motion.
After deliberations, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas called for a voice vote, which resulted in the motion being unanimously voted against by the lawmakers.
