By Ghazali Ibrahim 
The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, has revealed an alarming rate of civil servant abscondment after a full government sponsored training overseas.
At least 30 percent of Lagos State civil servants who travelled abroad for government-sponsored training have failed to return, according to the Commissioner.
Speaking during the 2025 ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Ayantayo disclosed the growing trend of civil servants absconding under the guise of professional development.
“Over the past three years, about 8,000 staff across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies were granted study leave for overseas capacity-building programs,” he said.
“While 70 percent returned, 30 percent have not come back.”
He attributed the exodus to the global japa trend, a Nigerian slang used to describe the rising trend of professionals relocating abroad in search of better opportunities.
Despite the challenge, Ayantayo highlighted that the state government has remained committed to enhancing human capital, with over 23,000 staff benefiting from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024.
“In that period, we organised more than 185 training programs across skill levels, leadership development, and regulatory compliance,” he said.
On workforce strength, the commissioner revealed that Lagos State now has 101,108 civil servants on its payroll.
Ayantayo also praised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its pro-labour initiatives, including the upward review of the minimum wage from N35,000 to N85,000 and improved welfare packages for healthcare workers.
These include payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), rural allowances for primary healthcare workers, and bonuses for staff at the Lagos State College of Medicine.
However, when asked about the severance allowance for former political office holders, the commissioner declined to comment.
