GLOBALIZATION AND BRAIN DRAIN: DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING YOUTH MIGRATION

Abstract

This study ascertained globalization and brain drain: developing sustainable strategies for mitigating youth migration in Nigeria. The push-pull theory of migration was anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research method to explore the socioeconomic factors driving brain drain and youth migration in Nigeria and propose sustainable strategies for addressing the issue. The population for this research comprises academic experts and professionals within the departments of Mass Communication and Economics, whose expertise in socio-economic issues and media influence provides valuable perspectives on youth migration trends. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select participants based on their knowledge, experience, and relevance to the research topic. The sample size consisted of 20 experts, with 10 experts selected from each university to ensure a balanced representation of opinions and in-depth exploration of the subject. For data collection, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, and the collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis, focusing on identifying recurring themes and patterns in the participants’ responses. The findings revealed that, that the main socio-economic factors contributing to youth migration and brain drain in Nigeria include high unemployment and underemployment, inadequate infrastructure and essential services, insecurity and political instability, as well as insufficient investment in education and healthcare. The study concluded that that the main socio-economic factors contributing to youth migration and brain drain in Nigeria underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to tackle high unemployment, poor infrastructure, insecurity, and inadequate investment in education and healthcare. The study recommended that policymakers should prioritize the creation of job opportunities and the improvement of essential services to retain skilled youth in Nigeria.