Sanusi: We must reverse brain drain — we have to treat teachers, doctors well

Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Emir of Kano, says Nigeria has to prioritise its health and education sectors.

Sanusi spoke on Wednesday, at ‘The August Event 2022’, organised by the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation (MAMF) in collaboration with St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos state.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over the government’s alleged failure to meet its demands while the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is threatening to embark on strike.

Sanusi said the education and health sectors are the foundation of Nigeria’s economy and the demands of workers must be respected.

He said doctors and teachers have not been treated well, hence, the brain drain experienced in the sectors.

The former emir asked Nigerians to ask candidates of political parties in the 2023 elections to outline their plans for citizens and come up with developmental policies for the sectors.

“Education and health are the foundation of the economy, if we don’t prioritize these sectors, then we are finished,” he said.

“The rate of brain drain is high because prepared budgets in the health and education sectors have been embezzled and mismanaged.

“You can’t treat your teachers and doctors as if they are nothing. That is the reason they are leaving the country in droves. We must reverse brain drain by respecting the demands of teachers and health practitioners.

“As a people and most especially as governments, we have lost our respect for the professions that should be respected. Teachers and doctors are not looking for money but the amount of money we invest in training our children in becoming doctors and teachers can never be earned in salaries in this country but people deserve a decent life and also respect.

“With the incoming elections, we need to ask these candidates what their plan is for the sectors because they have to make this issue top priority when addressing or making strategic infrastructural and development policies in the country which will help in decreasing the brain drain in the country.”