The Lagos State Government has expressed concern over the increasing number of civil servants who fail to return to Nigeria after being sponsored for training abroad, with 30 percent of beneficiaries choosing to remain overseas.

This alarming statistic was disclosed by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, during a press briefing on Wednesday marking the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's second term in office.

"While 70% returned, 30% failed to come back," Ayantayo stated, attributing this troubling trend to the growing 'Japa' phenomenon – a colloquial term describing the mass exodus of Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.

According to the commissioner, 23,420 staff members have benefited from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024. These included over 185 training programmes specifically designed to enhance public service delivery across different skill levels, with particular emphasis on leadership development, regulatory compliance, and sector-specific efficiency.

The revelation comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria's brain drain crisis, which has seen professionals across various sectors leaving the country in search of better living conditions, career advancement opportunities, and improved quality of life.

This development presents a significant challenge for the Lagos State Government, which invests substantial resources in capacity building for its workforce, only to lose a considerable percentage to foreign countries after providing valuable training and skills development.

The commissioner's disclosure raises questions about potential measures the state government might implement to address this issue, including possible bonding agreements or other incentives to ensure civil servants return to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills for the benefit of Lagos State and its residents.