Adeyemo: Nigeria must do its best to play leading roles to prevent talent from leaving

Nigerian-British Association Councilor Oluwaseyi Adeyemo has addressed the issue of talent draining from Nigeria to countries like the UK. He called for fielding the “best team” domestically to retain the country’s talent.

He argued that for Nigeria to retain its brightest minds, the country must create an environment that effectively nurtures and rewards talent.

“Until we start doing everything we can to make sure we have the best we can in the first team, we won’t lose our people to go somewhere else to get the best for themselves. It is clear that we have better people who can do a better job on the bench than they can now on the field,” he said.

In a recent interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, while discussing the significance of Kemi Badenoch’s role as Shadow Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Adeyemo described her achievement as a source of pride for Nigerians and Africans. Badenoch’s appointment, he said, is a symbol of progress and a model of inclusiveness that both countries can learn from.

“First of all, I am one of those people who believes that everything we have been blessed with is a reason to celebrate,” Adeyemo said. “To me, she is Nigerian, she is a woman, she has shown that this is possible… this is an important position. I think this is something to celebrate.”

He commended the British government for giving such a role to a Nigerian woman, stressing that the act highlights a mature approach to leadership based on merit rather than birth. According to Adeyemo, the position allows Badenoch to influence decisions in a way that will resonate around the world, including Nigeria.

When asked about the idea that Badenoch, as a black woman, is being used to navigate a difficult period in British politics, Adeyemo dismissed the idea, pointing to the skills and knowledge she brings to the table.

“Political office is not something you get because you know someone; you bring knowledge, style and strategy,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of moving away from rights-based thinking and urged Nigerians to focus on value creation in international relations.

“We believe that today, through our knowledge, our participation and business contacts, we can sit at the same table with our former colonial masters.”

Adeyemo also addressed the issue of equality with Britain, suggesting that progress involves focusing on contributions rather than historical grievances.

“What we really need to start learning is that when someone has an advantage, you have to start saying, ‘What can I offer?’… After all, these are the people who colonized America, Nigeria. , they had an advantage because they got to the table before us.”

He argued that obsessing over history often holds Nigerians back while forward-thinking engagement and innovation will elevate Nigeria’s stature.

Adeyemo sees Badenoch’s role as a potential catalyst for Nigeria’s own development, calling on the country to learn from the structure of the shadow cabinet in the UK.

“The shadow government, for example, is something we need to look at if we really want to establish good governance in Nigeria,” he noted.

He called for a system in which leaders could be accountable to their peers, promoting transparency and improved governance.

Farida Abdulkadiri

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