Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, has disclosed that 30% of civil servants who embarked on state-sponsored training programmes abroad failed to return after completing their programmes.
Ayantayo made the revelation on Wednesday during a ministerial press briefing held to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
However, a significant number of beneficiaries have not returned to resume duty, in what appears to be an extension of the “Japa” phenomenon, the wave of mass emigration by Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.
“Out of those sent abroad for training, 70% returned, while 30% unfortunately did not come back,” Ayantayo said.
He disclosed that between May 2022 and December 2024, a total of 23,420 civil servants benefited from various training interventions. Over 185 training programmes were organized during the period, spanning multiple cadres and thematic areas relevant to enhancing public sector efficiency, leadership skills, and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, he noted that approximately 8,000 civil servants were granted study leave over the last three years as part of efforts to further develop professional competencies across the workforce.
Highlighting other achievements of the ministry, Ayantayo pointed to the implementation of a N35,000 increment in the minimum wage for civil servants by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
In the health sector, he said the government had disbursed several financial incentives, including the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), rural allowances for primary healthcare workers, bonuses, and wage awards for staff of the Lagos State College of Medicine.
However, the Commissioner did not provide details on severance packages paid to outgoing political office holders, a subject that remained unaddressed during the briefing.
