The Managing Director of UpdateAfrika Communications, Joseph Effiong, has called on the Federal Government to invest in local industries to curb youth brain drain.

Addressing a press conference recently, Effiong, who stressed the need for urgent investment in local industries, lamented that worker attrition in the country popularly referred to as the ‘Japa syndrome’ has denied the country the required human capital needed to bolster the economy.

He cited a recent report from a consulting firm, Phillips Consulting confirming that over 52 per cent of professionals are planning to leave the country within a year, increasing migration among youths.

To curb the menace, Effiong said necessary authorities must hasten to take critical economic measures that would put the situation under control, which included collaborating with stakeholders to develop an agenda for economy and social inclusion.

More importantly, he advised that the government should consider transferring labour and economic resources from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors.

By this, he said Nigeria could effectively harness the yields of local industries.

Quoting a Brookings Institute report, Effiong, while analysing Nigeria’s industries, said although the tradable services sector sits atop the productivity ladder with huge economic prospects, it is challenged by its inability to accommodate labour in large numbers.

“To leverage the full potential of this sector, the government will need to design and implement national skills programmes aimed at upskilling young Nigerians to ensure many more embrace digital skills and capabilities,” he said.