The Lagos State Government has debunked claims that 30 percent of its employees failed to return after participating in government-sponsored overseas training programmes, describing such reports as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, the government clarified that the issue at hand concerns staff who proceeded on study leave without pay, not those sponsored by the State for official capacity-building programmes.
Ayantayo’s clarification followed media interpretations of his comments during a recent ministerial press briefing held to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
“We need to make an important distinction,” Ayantayo said. “The individuals being referred to are those who applied for and were granted study leave without pay, usually for personal academic advancement abroad. This is entirely separate from staff sent abroad by the government for official training.”
He noted that although some of these individuals have not returned to the State’s service, the numbers remain manageable, and that regulatory measures are being reviewed and strengthened to prevent future gaps.
Ayantayo assured that accountability frameworks, including bonding agreements and post-leave monitoring systems, are already in place and undergoing improvements to ensure full compliance.
He further emphasized that the Lagos State Government remains committed to the professional development of its workforce through structured local and international training initiatives. Most beneficiaries of such programmes, he noted, return and continue to contribute meaningfully to public service delivery.
