The Lagos State Government has firmly refuted recent reports claiming that 30% of its civil servants failed to return after attending overseas training programmes. The state described the reports as inaccurate and damaging to the integrity of its dedicated workforce.
The clarification came from the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, following public concern and widespread misinterpretation of his remarks during a ministerial press briefing marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term anniversary.
According to Mr Ayantayo, those cited in the reports were not participants in government-sponsored training schemes but individuals who had personally applied for and were granted study leave without pay.
“We need to make an important distinction,” he explained. “The individuals being referred to are those who applied for and were granted study leave without pay, often to pursue personal academic programmes abroad — not civil servants sent on official training programmes by the state.”
He stressed that conflating both groups was a serious misrepresentation of the facts and an unfair portrayal of the many civil servants who faithfully return and contribute to Lagos State following state-funded programmes.
State Reinforces Monitoring and Accountability
While acknowledging that a number of those who went abroad on unpaid study leave had not returned, the commissioner insisted that the situation remained under control and that the state had monitoring systems in place to uphold accountability.
“Efforts are ongoing to ensure accountability across all personnel development categories, including bonding and post-leave return monitoring,” he stated.
Mr Ayantayo also revealed that the government is reviewing its study leave policies to prevent potential abuse and safeguard public investment in workforce development.
Despite current challenges, the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its workforce through structured capacity-building efforts both locally and internationally.
“The Lagos State Government remains committed to equipping its workforce with skills and knowledge through well-structured training, both locally and internationally,” he reiterated.
He further emphasised that the majority of public servants who benefit from government-sponsored training programmes return and now actively contribute to public service delivery within the state.
Background Context
Nairametrics recently reported that former British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, revealed the United Kingdom issued around 132,000 visas to Nigerians during the first half of 2023.
In a related development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, disclosed that the state faces a shortfall of approximately 30,000 medical doctors — a figure exacerbated by Nigeria’s ongoing brain drain crisis.
Professor Abayomi noted that as medical professionals continue to emigrate in search of better opportunities abroad, those who remain in Lagos are becoming increasingly overburdened. He highlighted that the state’s population grows by 6% to 8% annually, placing considerable strain on healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.