30 percent of Lagos civil servants abscond while on foreign training programs, Commissioner says

The Lagos State government has revealed that 30 percent of its civil servants sent abroad for training programs failed to return to Nigeria. 
 

Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday, May 14, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office. 

Ayantayo told journalists that the state government’s goal of building a better workforce through international training has been affected by the growing ‘Japa syndrome’, a term used to describe the increasing number of Nigerians leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. 

“While 70% returned, 30% failed to come back,” Ayantayo said. 

He added, “A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024. Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organised which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance.” 

The Commissioner also said that about 8,000 civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been granted study leave in the last three years to improve their qualifications and skills.