Nigeria Unveils Initiative to Tackle Brain Drain, Connects Professionals Home and Abroad
- Nigeria launches Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative to tackle brain drain and leverage the expertise of professionals abroad
- The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, masterminded the initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between Nigerian-based professionals and those in the diaspora
- The minister reveals how the initiative will operate as he reveals plans to align the program with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund
FCT, Abuja - Nigeria takes a significant step towards tackling brain drain with the launch of the Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative, a groundbreaking policy aimed at leveraging the expertise of its abroad-based professionals to boost the nation's education and innovation sectors.
Source: UGC
This was disclosed in a statement made available to Legit.ng on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Legit.ng gathered that the initiative was unveiled at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Monday, July 28, underscoring President Bola Tinubu's commitment to his Renewed Hope Agenda through the Federal Ministry of Education's innovative efforts."
According to the statement, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the mastermind behind the project, led the launching alongside high-ranking officials in the Tinubu administration, which includes Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.
The vice president, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, delivered a strong endorsement of the Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative,
"Stating that it is "a bold and strategic mechanism crafted by the Federal Ministry of Education to reconnect, realign, and reimagine the power of Nigerian intellect and expertise around the world."
“For too long, the collaboration between Nigerian-based professionals and our brothers and sisters in the diaspora has been fragmented by distance, by bureaucracy, and, most critically, a deficit of trust.
"Today, through BRIDGE, we are laying the foundation to repair that trust with intentionality, transparency, and inclusivity.” Shettima explained.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, shared his deep personal connection to the initiative.
“As many of you know, I stand before you not only as Minister of Education, but as a product of Nigeria’s educational system,” he said.
“I trained as a medical doctor here in Nigeria and, like many of our brightest minds, I sought further opportunities abroad, practising and excelling in the United States. But no matter how far I went, the call of home never faded. That is why I returned. That is why I serve. And that is why I deeply believe in the vision of BRIDGE.” Alausa explained
He explained that 'BRIDGE,' which stands for 'Bridging Research, Innovation, Development & Global Engagement,' is a deliberate attempt to provide a structured, meaningful engagement between our institutions and Nigerians in the diaspora.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted that the platform has already been integrated into the operations of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
"BRIDGE has been aligned with TETFund’s TERAS platform to ensure transparency, effective funding disbursement, and ease of access for institutions and collaborators alike,” he said.
Source: UGC
FG announces transition of WAEC, NECO to CBT
Legit.ng previously reported that the Federal Government has revealed plans to utilise both privately owned and public Computer-Based Testing centres across the country to conduct the Senior School Certificate Examination starting in 2026.
Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this after observing a trial run of the Computer-Based Test for SSCE conducted by the National Examination Council at Sascon International School in Abuja on Tuesday, July 22.
Alausa praised NECO for executing the CBT SSCE pilot phase smoothly and announced plans to relocate future school-based SSCEs to designated CBT centres outside school premises.
Alausa unveils ICT blueprint for tertiary education
Legit.ng also reported a turning point for Nigeria’s education sector as Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Education, unveiled a far-reaching digitalisation plan and inaugurated the newly reconstituted Governing Councils of federal tertiary institutions.
The event, held on Tuesday in Abuja, marked the official launch of the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, a major initiative designed to modernise the operations, delivery, and global engagement of Nigerian universities.
The event, held on Tuesday in Abuja, marked the official launch of the Blueprint ICT Development (Blueprint-ICT-Dev) Project, a major initiative designed to modernise the operations, delivery, and global engagement of Nigerian universities.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
