The Nigerian Academy of Science has expressed concern over the increasing migration of researchers and scientists from Nigeria, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the country’s future scientific growth and innovation.

The Executive Secretary of the Academy, Dr Oladoyin Odubanjo, raised the alarm on Monday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, where he spoke extensively on the state of scientific research and development in the country.

Odubanjo noted that while the emigration of health workers has received significant public attention, a similar and equally damaging trend is occurring within Nigeria’s science and technology ecosystem.

Responding to questions on the outlook for science research development in 2026, he said the migration of researchers, particularly young scientists, was happening on a large scale but was often overlooked in public discourse.

“One of the big areas people are not talking about is the migration of researchers.

“We know about health workers and all, but researchers are also leaving. Many of our young researchers are leaving the country.

“They are leaving in their numbers, going to look for career paths, and other countries are taking them away.

“If we have no people, then there will be no research,” he said.

According to Odubanjo, the departure of researchers has a direct impact on Nigeria’s research capacity, stressing that effective scientific work depends on strong collaboration between senior academics and younger researchers.

He explained that the loss of junior researchers weakens mentorship structures and undermines continuity in research, thereby reducing the country’s ability to generate quality scientific output.

Despite the challenges, Odubanjo expressed optimism that the situation could improve if reforms are sustained and funding mechanisms strengthened.

He pointed to recent policy adjustments, including efforts to ease restrictions linked to the Treasury Single Account, as steps that could enhance access to research grants and improve overall productivity.

“Before now, even when researchers got grants, the funds went into the TSA, and accessing the money to buy reagents or go to the field became extremely difficult, especially when approvals were centralised in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

He explained that prolonged delays in accessing approved research funds often stalled fieldwork and data collection, which in turn crippled research activities across institutions.

Odubanjo further expressed hope that with improved policies, better access to funding and stronger strategies for retaining skilled manpower, scientific research in Nigeria would begin a gradual recovery in the coming year.