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This topic is quite interesting.  I've noticed that most contributors agree on the same point.  That leaving Nigeria to relocate to the UK (especially) is subjective.  Everyone has there own reasons and vision. 

Like the adage will say, one man's meat is another man's poison.  But what I really do not like is hasty generalization.  Are all Nigerians outside the country into menial jobs ? - I don't think so.  If that is the next job I will do in this country tomorrow, I will find my way back home immediately.  I can't just stand it. 

My people, it might be of interest for you to know this, Nigerians rank among the most successful immigrants in every country of the world.  There is virtually no career here in the UK (for example) where Nigerians are not well represented.  Doctors, Professors in top Universities, IT experts, etc.  Yes, if you come around here as a professional, you might have to overcome the racial barrier, but life is all about challenges. 

Developed countries are for hardworking, honest people with dreams.   If you come in legally, plug yourself in to the system (starting small and dreaming big),  no one will tell you that you're too old when you're ready to start looking for work. 

Before we generalize, let's try and see the +ve side of things and appreciate the difference between living and surviving.  Materialism and satisfaction.  I can go back home to survive in Nigeria, but I will rather live here in the UK, pay my taxes and see the money work for me, start an educational program with known admission and graduation dates, map out a 5 year plan of self development and see the dream come true without the interruption of a systemic failure caused simply because, everybody around is greedy and the citizens are good at keeping quite and coping.

Everybody complains of water, power supply, corruption, bad leadership in Nigeria, but that is where it ends.  We Nigerians are good at coping.  This is the most frustrating part.  We all want miracles, nobody is ready to say NO.  Honestly, I don't believe that is how to love one's country.

Good leaders don't just drop from heaven.  The fear of brave country men and women, who can stand up for their rights, makes good leaders.  This is completely missing in Nigeria.  I'm not waiting for things to be perfect in Nigeria before returning,  I'm not waiting for NEPA to be more regular or an improved security situation or leadership.  I will be on my way back home when people start calling their leaders into account.  When politicians are now afraid to rig elections because of what PEOPLE WILL SAY.  When people start asking for an improved quality of life as a right and not something that belongs to the privileged few. 

There is credit crunch everywhere in developed countries, but can we compare the reactions to these conditions in Nigeria to a country like Iceland where the prime minister and his entire administration has resigned.  Our central bank governor in Nigeria had just admitted the impact of the credit crunch on the economy a few days ago.   

Now, let's go back to the issue of menial jobs. I will like to ask this questions, why must the Nigerian artisan be so poorly paid and condemned to poverty.  Is there anything in Nigeria called "dignity of labour".   Is hard work without proper connections really rewarding in Nigeria ?  Why are teachers and lecturers so poorly treated when they are responsible for training the future leaders and hopes of the country.   What is even wrong with a graduate working as a car mechanic ?  I can remember a guy that came to fix a friend's car and get the MOT check done for him has an MBA.  He drove his own Mercedes Benz CLK (brand new) when he dropped by in the house to have a look at the car.

A plumber, who came to fix some problems in the same house came with a jeep and he also runs his company.  This list is endless.  Although, I wont go and do these jobs, but I have come to respect the system here for the respect it's got for hard work.  Friends, THERE IS DIGNITY IN
LABOUR.  The bible says "ANYTHING that your hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might".   A male taxi driver here in the UK can easily get married to an investment banker.   How often does this happen in Nigeria ?  Anyone can decide to take on any profession, as long as it's his preference and he's happy with it.  It's only in Nigeria, that people will see that as a bad idea.  And that is one of the problems with our society.

I left the country because I got sick of all these and several other things which PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERYDAY.  Why must doctors go on strike for every little pay rise and improved conditions of service ?  Will it be out of place to be tired of all these things ?  Is there really any social contract between the Nigerian citizen and the state ?

And when you visit this url to check the world rankings of all Nigerian Universities:

http://www.webometrics.info/rank_by_country.asp?country=ng

-- Just check out the result:

First | Previous | Next | Last | Universities 0 to 0 of 0

For each country only the higher education institutions ranked below the 5,000th position are included

So the bottom line is
Unilag vs OAU-Ife vs UI -- None of these schools have any place in terms of world rankings as at now (16:26 BST 10th July, 2008).

My advice is this.  (Sarcastic) - Let's celebrate them so that they can continue to retain their "glorious" place in the committee of World Universities since their standards are not relevant to world ratings.
-- That is the spirit.

Cheers

L

ComputerWarehouse sold Finacle to first bank - What d'you expect ? They've sold the same software to several other banks.
A lot of other companies are simply addicted to Human Manager (Hope you rememeber that software that is used by vertually all Insurance Companies, and almost a de-factor standard in the banking industry)

The list is almost correct, but I do not believe in those figures. They make much more than that.