The brain drain phenomenon has been a topical issue for quite some time. It has been argued by some writers that there are definite benefits derived by both donor and receiving nations as well as the individual involved (Chukunta, 1976; Oh, 1973; Adams, 1968). It can be said that the loss suffered by the donor-nation by far outweighs the attendant benefits. This becomes obvious when one considers the following facts: (1) the donor-nations are generally the developing nations which are suffering from acute shortage of high level manpower desperately needed for accelerated economic development; and (2) the individuals involved (that is, the nationals of the donor-nations who have left their countries to reside in foreign countries either permanently or indefinitely) belong to the very small group of intellectuals and high level manpower most needed in those developing countries. Many studies have been conducted to find out why the phenomenon does exist (Adams, 1968;Okediji and Okediji, 1973; Oh, 1977; Chukunta, 1976).

On the surface, it would appear far-fetched to link the concept of the absurd with the brain drain. The connection, however, exists. For, the brain drain, which here will sometimes be referred to as expatriation, is the logical extension of a process that begins with alienation and which, in its extreme case, manifests itself in the form of the Camusian absurd. After all the ink has been spilt on the economic “causes” of the brain drain, the concept of the absurd may turn out to provide new insights into the phenomenon and may be the foundation on which the “causes” rest.