Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has cautioned Nigerian graduates against relocating overseas to take up low-paying, unskilled jobs, saying it diminishes the value of their academic achievements and personal investment in education.
In an interview with journalists, Alausa expressed concern over the number of Nigerian youths abandoning their qualifications for jobs such as cleaners and clerks in foreign countries, describing the move as a waste of personal and national investment.
“It’s not worth it for a university graduate to invest so much in education and then end up in London working as a cleaner or clerk. It’s denigrating,” he said.
Dr. Alausa encouraged young Nigerians to remain in the country, stressing that creativity and resilience could lead to more fulfilling and impactful lives at home.
He also pointed out the irony of foreigners increasingly coming to Nigeria to tap into opportunities that local youth often overlook.
“We have more Chinese, more Europeans, more Lebanese coming to Nigeria. They’re not coming because they like our faces—they see opportunities here,” he noted.
The minister urged graduates to adopt a mindset of innovation and self-reliance, and to view Nigeria as a land full of potential.
“This is your country.Don’t run away. Let’s not be lazy. Ask yourself: why would a Chinese or Lebanese national want to come to Nigeria? They know what they’re looking for,” he added.
