A major controversy has hit the Lagos State civil service following revelations that 30% of its staff sent abroad for training have failed to return to the country.

Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing commemorating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second year in office during his second term.

Ayantayo candidly admitted that the state government’s efforts to enhance the capacity of its workforce through overseas training programs are being undermined by the escalating “Japa syndrome”—a popular term referring to the mass exodus of Nigerians in search of better prospects abroad.

“When asked how many staff returned home from such training,” Ayantayo said grimly, “while 70% returned, 30% failed to come back.”

He explained that the state is serious about training its workers, saying, “A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024.

“Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organised which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance.”

Despite the significant investment, the revelation that nearly one-third of the trainees failed to return after their overseas training has sparked major concerns about the programme's oversight and the government's strategy for retaining skilled personnel.

Ayantayo also mentioned that approximately 8,000 civil servants from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been granted study leave over the past three years to enhance their qualifications and skills.

He highlighted several accomplishments of the ministry, including Governor Sanwo-Olu's approval of a ₦35,000 wage increase for workers to alleviate the impact of economic challenges.

In the health sector, Ayantayo noted that the state had disbursed the Medical Residency Training Fund, provided Rural Allowances for Primary Healthcare Workers, and awarded bonuses and wage incentives to staff at the Lagos State College of Medicine.

However, when asked about severance packages for political appointees whose terms have ended, the Commissioner “was, however, silent on the amount of severance allowance the state government paid to political office holders whose tenure have expired.”