Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has called on the Federal Government to introduce measures that would prevent students who benefit from the student loan scheme from leaving Nigeria after completing their education.
Speaking in Jos while hosting the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Akintunde Sawyerr, the governor expressed concerns over the growing brain drain, particularly in the healthcare sector.
He warned that Nigeria is losing highly trained medical professionals, creating a gap in healthcare services despite significant public investment in their education.
To address this, Mutfwang suggested implementing binding agreements that would require student loan beneficiaries to serve in Nigeria for a specified period before seeking opportunities abroad.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for improved incentives such as competitive salaries, career growth prospects, and better working conditions to retain skilled professionals.
“With 16,000 doctors reportedly leaving Nigeria in the last five years, there is an urgent need for a patriotic commitment to national development from those who have been educated with public funds,” he stated.
In response, NELFUND’s CEO, Akintunde Sawyerr, reassured the governor of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to ensuring accessible education for all Nigerian students while addressing concerns about retaining skilled graduates in the country.