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Author: search.filters.author.Dr. Reuben AbatiHas files: Yes

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    The Jakpa Syndrome and the Future of University Education in Nigeria
    (UAT Library, 2025-06-21) Dr. Reuben Abati
    The phenomenon popularly referred to as the Jakpa Syndrome—a colloquial term in Nigeria describing the mass exodus of skilled professionals, particularly youth, to foreign countries—has become increasingly prevalent and impactful in the realm of higher education. This paper examines the causes, dynamics, and long-term implications of the Jakpa Syndrome on the future of university education in Nigeria. Drawing on empirical data from surveys and interviews with students, faculty, and educational policymakers across six federal universities, the study explores how aspirations for migration are influencing academic commitment, staffing, curriculum design, and national capacity-building. The findings reveal a growing disillusionment with the Nigerian education system, exacerbated by underfunding, insecurity, and limited career prospects, leading both students and lecturers to seek opportunities abroad. The resulting brain drain threatens the sustainability of local academic institutions, weakens research output, and erodes institutional memory. The paper argues that without strategic interventions—such as reforms in academic governance, investment in infrastructure, and policies that incentivize talent retention—the Nigerian university system may face a deepening crisis of relevance and competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. Recommendations for reversing the trend and fostering a more resilient and attractive academic environment are proposed.