Nigerian businessman Keji Giwa has caused a stir on social media after saying he prays that the United Kingdom deports Nigerians who relocated abroad so they can return to work for him. Giwa, owner of Giwa Gardens, Lekki Party Villa, and Carnelian, made the remarks during an appearance on the podcast Talk It With Ruth on Friday.
Speaking on the impact of brain drain on his businesses, Giwa revealed that over 100 of his employees had relocated abroad in recent years. “Over a hundred of my employees have left the country, you know. If I had known, I wouldn’t have hired them,” he said. When asked why, he responded, “Because I feel that they’ve used and abused me.”
Giwa acknowledged that employee training often leads to migration but expressed frustration over the scale at which it has affected his operations. “Obviously, with time you will train them and they will leave. Yeah, but we have now trained all of them to the point that most of them have left the country. They’ve now left the country. What do we have left now?” he added.
While admitting he still has capable staff, Giwa suggested that many more would leave if visa policies were less restrictive. “But the only reason they’re still good and around is because they’ve not left. If not for the UK putting stringent rules and Canada putting stringent rules on their visa application, you think they wouldn’t have left?”
His comments have triggered mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians criticizing his stance amid ongoing discussions about migration, economic opportunities abroad, and the challenges businesses face in retaining skilled employees. The controversy highlights the tensions between brain drain, workforce development, and employer frustrations in Nigeria’s private sector.
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