Public Perception and Media Coverage of Brain Drain from Nigeria

The study examined public perception and media reportage of brain drain in Nigeria. The study adopted content analysis and in-depth interview designs. Agenda-setting theory was used to explain the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed in tables and percentage; while the qualitative data were collected through in-depth interview and analysed in prose format. Findings showed that people travelled out of their home country in search of greener pasture when there is stagnant career growth and limited opportunities for career development. Also lack of recognition, feeling undervalued, persecution, environmental hostility and high rate of inflation motivate people to look for better a environment abroad. Others perceived that the level of remittance in term of financial transfer from abroad to the country is huge. The Punch and Vanguard gave sufficient coverage to the brain drain issue. A total of 56.8% editions of The Punch and 43.1% editions of Vanguard were employed to focus on brain drain issues during the period captured by the study. Finding depicted that the selected media gave sufficient prominence to the brain drain issue. Finding also showed that political frame was mostly employed to report the brain drain issued by the selected media. The study concluded that The Punch and Vanguard play a crucial role in coverage of brain drain issues. The study recommended that incorporating diverse perspectives and expert opinions in the press coverage of sensitive issues such as brain drain would enrich the discourse surrounding it and encourage meaningful dialogue on how to address the issue.