Professor Joy Ezeilo of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, has warned that the approval of the International Engineering Alliance for members of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to join the Washington Accord could fuel an exodus of engineers from the country.
Ezeilo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made this known while speaking at the first Charles Mbanefo Memorial Lecture organised by the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers recently.
The professor said while the approval would be a great advantage for COREN engineers, it might sponsor the relocation of thousands of skilled manpower in the engineering profession in Nigeria to developed countries.
International Engineering Alliance, on its website, disclosed that Washington Accord is an international multilateral agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes for the development and recognition of good practices in engineering education.
Reacting to this during her speech titled, “Rising Emigration of Professionals and Impact on Nigeria’s Development: A Case Study Of Engineers”, the don noted that Nigerian engineering professionals may choose to relocate for higher income, improved living conditions, a better working environment and improved research facilities.
Ezeilo said, “As it concerns engineering professionals, it has been recently announced that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has become a professional signatory of the Washington Accord, making Nigeria the second African member of the body.
“While it is not in doubt that many Nigerian engineers are already a part of the emigration movement out of the country in recent years, it appears reasonable to think that these professionals may utilise the opportunity of Nigeria becoming a signatory to the agreement to further immigrate to other member countries in search of greener pastures.
“The most notable stimuli for migration by Nigerian engineering professionals are the enhanced opportunities for potential migrants, such as opportunities for higher income, improved living conditions, a better working environment, improved research facilities, and opportunities for professional growth and development.”
