Nigerian Dumps Nigeria For Britain After Winning British Airways Competition

Nigeria has lost another of her best brains, after Nasir Abdulkadir Yammama, winner of the British Council's innovation prize, said he has chosen to represent the United Kingdom instead of Nigeria.

Yammama who would be contesting in the Microsoft sponsored Global Technology competition revealed that he would be flying the colours of England and not the green-white-green.

He said this during an interview with BBC Hausa Radio where he explained that he took the decision because certain 'things have changed'.

"I am supposed to have represented Nigeria at it, but things have changed. I will represent England," he said.

Only Change Is Constant

No one knows what 'things have changed' but Yammama is comfortable with whatever the change is.

"Many of us are going from England. That is why they have to screen us. We are now at the semifinal stage," he said.

But this (Microsoft technology) competition is like the world cup in the area of technology innovation."

Yammama, who is presently pursuing his Masters Degree at the Middlesex University, United Kingdom, beat over over 2000 contestants to emerge the winner of the British Council/Virgin Atlantic airlines' Enterprise Challenge.

I Will Come Back

Many Nigerians celebrated his success following the announcement,, but he has now ditched his country of birth.

All hope is not lost, as the innovator hinted that he could return at an unspecified time in the future to help solve Nigeria's many problems.