30% of Lagos Civil Servants Sent Abroad for Training Do Not Return — Commissioner

Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, has revealed that 30 percent of civil servants sponsored for training abroad by the state government fail to return. He made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing held in commemoration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in his current term.

Ayantayo expressed concern that the state’s objective of enhancing workforce efficiency through international training opportunities is being compromised by the increasing number of Nigerians emigrating in search of better prospects. He explained that while 70 percent of participants do return, the remaining 30 percent have chosen not to, a trend he attributed to the broader context of brain drain affecting the country.

“For those that are still receiving their salaries, we didn’t pay for their courses,” the commissioner said. “But those who no longer receive salaries — meaning they’ve exited the system — we paid for their courses, and it has added to productivity.”

The commissioner highlighted that this issue spans various cadres and skill levels within the public service, impacting training initiatives aimed at improving public sector efficiency, leadership development, and regulatory compliance.

Between May 2022 and December 2024, the state trained 23,420 civil servants, while approximately 8,000 staff across ministries, departments, and agencies were granted study leave to enhance their qualifications. Ayantayo also detailed several welfare initiatives undertaken by the government, including the payment of the medical residency training fund, rural allowances for primary healthcare workers, and bonuses for staff of the Lagos State College of Medicine.

In response to economic challenges, the state approved a N35,000 minimum wage increase for its workers. Training programmes have focused on strategic areas such as digital transformation, emotional intelligence, policy analysis, and project management. Ayantayo added that 742 training requests from various departments were processed, and 5,342 officers participated in the 2024 civil service examination — with only 15 candidates failing.

The commissioner described the results as encouraging, noting they reflect the overall quality and commitment of the state’s workforce.