Author(s) :

ERHIRHIE, Benjamin PhD.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Nigeria’s Federal Civil Service faces accelerated brain drain as mid-career officers resign for opportunities abroad a trend termed “Japa”. This article investigates how the phenomenon creates capacity gaps that undermine public sector reforms. Integrating Push-Pull Theory, Human Capital Theory and Institutional Theory, we argue that, “Japa” is not merely staff attrition but a loss of state capacity. Secondary data and administrative records from 2019-2025 show exits are highest among technical cadres, driven by domestic Push factors of wage decline and promotion delays and international Pull factors from new UK/Canada immigration policies. Each exit represents a loss of 10-15 years of public sector human capital investment. The absence of structured succession mechanism means institutional memory disappear with departing officers creating voids that delay budget implement action and digitalization under FCSSIP25. The study conclude that, the civil service is experiencing a hollowing out of its core expertise. Policy responses must move beyond ad-hoc circulars to structural reforms; scares skills allowances, specialist career paths and inflation – indexed compensation without these Japa will continue to erode the government’s ability to deliver services and implement policy. Key word: Brain drain, civil service reform; institutional memory; Nigeria; public administration.

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