The House of Representatives on Wednesday tasked Federal Government with the need to ensure employment for First Class Graduates of Nigerian Institutions as part of reducing the massive exodus of Graduates to foreign countries and addressing the menace of brain-drain in the country.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Martins stressed the need to address the menace of the exodus of Nigerian graduates and brain-drain in the country.
“The House notes that Nigerian Universities produce hundreds of First-Class graduates annually at the end of every academic year, a great percentage of them find it difficult to secure employment and contribute to nation-building.
“The House is concerned about the growing rate at which employable First-Class Graduates in Nigeria are unable to secure jobs thus, forcing them to leave the country and become assets to other countries that offer employment.
“The House is aware that some Universities award their first-class graduates with automatic employment as Assistant Lecturers or Student Lecturers in their specific courses.
“The House is also aware that recently, the University of Lagos offered employment to no fewer than 100 Graduates of the
University who made First-Class in various fields of study in the University, and it is common knowledge that some firms in the country consider applicants with First-class honours before other categories of graduates, which is in line with global best practices.
“The House is concerned that same job opportunities are not obtainable for First-class graduates in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Parastatals, who are by virtue of their position as government agencies, saddled with the responsibilities of driving the country’s economic and Infrastructural development.
“The House is cognizant that Nigeria’s inability to leave the status of a developing nation may not be unconnected with the insensitivity and lack of political will of the ruling class and policymakers to introduce a reward system that ensures that the best brains automatically occupy important positions according to their area of competence.
“The House is also concerned that according to research, Nigeria has continued to unwittingly give away her best brains and intellectuals to other countries who by virtue of their robust policies on a value system, reward diligence and excellence as can be seen in the exodus of medical professionals from Nigeria to other countries.
“The House also notes that reports have shown in seeking admissions to Universities, students consider in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Australia, China, Canada as it increases their chances of being employed upon graduation.
“The House believes that automatic employment for first-class graduates will not only serve as a source of motivation for students to work harder but will also maximize their potentials in reparation for different economic roles, future leadership positions and ultimately reduce unemployment while helping to achieve development targets,” he noted.
To this end, the House mandated the joint Committees on Tertiary Education and Services, and Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance.
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