Leading figures in the telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors are set to gather for the fifth edition of the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF 5.0). The event, themed “Mitigating the Effect of Talent Exodus and its Impacts on the Growth of Nigeria’s Telecommunications Industry,” will address the critical challenge of brain drain in the sector.
The conference, organized by Business Remarks, is scheduled for September 19, 2024, at CITIHeight Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. It will feature keynote speeches, discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities from renowned industry experts.
Confirmed speakers include the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida; the National Coordinator of the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi; and other industry leaders.
The forum convener, Bukola Olanrewaju, noted that the Nigerian telecom sector is facing multiple challenges, including unreliable power supply, rising operational costs, and talent shortages. The brain drain is exacerbates these issues, hindering the sector’s growth and development.
According to the International Organization for Migration (UN Migration), international migration is influenced by economic, geographic, demographic, political, and other factors. Studies have shown that the departure of skilled workers can negatively impact economic output and growth.
The technology and telecom sector has seen a significant loss of talent in recent years. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank indicate that Nigeria has lost billions of dollars annually due to brain drain and that its GDP growth has been negatively affected.
TSSF 5.0 aims to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the root causes, impacts, and potential solutions to brain drain. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event seeks to contribute to the development of effective policies to mitigate the effects of talent exodus and promote the growth of the Nigerian economy.