Nigerians have been moving around a lot because of colonialism and the need to find better opportunities afterward.
Over the years, many Nigerians have left the country in search of better economic opportunities, safety from political persecution, higher education, and career advancement.
Today, millions of Nigerians live outside of their home country, making it one of the countries with the largest diaspora populations.
I don’t view it as lamentable that many Nigerians opt to live outside the country anymore because I count myself among them. For the past six years, I’ve embraced the lifestyle of a digital nomad, traversing various African locales in search of a place to call home permanently. Yet, I’ve settled in Kenya, and I have been living there full-time for the past three years.
Despite my current residence in Nairobi, I often find myself longing for Nigeria. I make it a point to return home and visit my loved ones every year. Nigeria holds a special place in my heart; it’s home, a truly beautiful place to be.
However, the reality is that there are numerous challenges and issues that continue to drive Nigerians away from their beloved homeland.
Why are Nigerians Leaving Nigeria? Why are They Japa-ing?
The main reason Nigerians decide to move is usually to find better job opportunities and higher standards of living for themselves and their families.
For example, a lot of them are looking for work in healthcare, technology, finance, and education, all of which are in high demand around the world.
Some Nigerians have also left the country to find safety and security because of the political unrest and safety issues in some areas.
Nigerians who live and work in other countries have made great contributions to those countries, doing great work in many fields.
They have taken on leadership roles, started businesses, and added to the communities they have moved to by sharing their rich cultural backgrounds. Their stories of success can inspire people who want to take the same path.
Let’s look at the statistics
In 2023, the National Identity Management Commission reports that the number of Nigerians living outside of Nigeria with National Identification Numbers has grown from 55,181 in February 2022 to 366,164 in February 2023—an increase of 563.57%, according to Punch.
An analysis of the data from NiDCOM in 2023 showed that there were 22.5% registered Nigerians living in the UK, 21.4% registered Nigerians living in the US, and 5.4% registered Nigerians living in the UAE.
Even NIS’s Migration Information Data Analysis System (MIDAS) showed that about 2,115,139 people left Nigeria in 2022, and another 1,574,357 left between January 1 and September 30, 2023. This means that a total of 3,679,496 people have left Nigeria in the last two years.
Why Some Nigerians May Choose Not To Be Nigerian Citizens
There are several reasons why some Nigerians may choose not to retain Nigerian citizenship.
Economic Opportunities
Many Nigerians seek better economic prospects abroad due to limited job opportunities, low wages, and the high cost of living in Nigeria. They believe they can achieve greater financial stability and success in other countries.
Similarly, wealthy Nigerians aspire to explore opportunities abroad, diversify their wealth, establish alternative residences, conduct business, and pursue a higher quality of life.
There is a lot of business opportunity in Nigeria, but the current economic situation makes it hard to do so. Thus, these people are interested in the possible benefits of moving to other countries.
Political Instability
Over the years, Nigeria has had problems with corruption, political instability, and good government. After losing faith in the political system, some Nigerians look for safety in countries with more stable governments.
Security Concerns
Some parts of Nigeria are less safe than others because of ongoing security problems like terrorism, banditry, and racial conflicts. Some Nigerians leave their homes to find safer places for themselves and their families to live outside of Nigeria.
Educational and Healthcare Systems
Despite efforts to make Nigeria’s education and health care systems better, they still have a lot of problems, such as not enough money, bad infrastructure, and problems with quality.
Some Nigerians may move to countries where they and their children can get better medical care and education.
Many Nigerian students have trouble finding work when they get back home, which is why they try to become permanent residents of the countries where they study.
More than 90% of these students do not want to go back to Nigeria, according to estimates.
Quality of Life
For many Nigerians, their quality of life is lower because of things like unreliable electricity, bad roads, and limited access to simple infrastructure.
Some Nigerians want to raise their standard of living by moving to countries with better services and infrastructure.
Discrimination and Social Injustice
Nigeria has a lot of problems with social injustice and discrimination based on race, religion, or socioeconomic status.
Some Nigerians may find it hard to get equal rights and opportunities in their own country, which may make them look for a more accepting society elsewhere.
Global Citizenship
As the world becomes more connected and globalization continues, some Nigerians want to become global citizens and look for opportunities outside of their own country.
Becoming a citizen of another country appeals to them as a way to broaden their horizons and get more opportunities.
The ranking of Nigeria’s passports is not very high compared to passports from many other countries as of 2023. People with a Nigerian passport often have limited options for visa-free travel and visa-on-arrival to many places around the world.
Overall, the choice of giving up Nigerian citizenship or seeking citizenship in another country is very personal and is affected by a number of economic, political, social, and personal causes.
Even though they live far away from Nigeria, many Nigerians who live abroad keep strong ties with the country by taking part in cultural events, supporting development projects, and helping their communities back home.
This bond shows how strong and determined Nigerians are to do well and make a difference wherever they go.
READ ALSO: 20 Things Nigerians Probably Didn’t Know About Namibia
I’d love to hear your thoughts about japa syndrome. Should Nigerians continue to leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities, or do you believe they should stay and contribute to building their country?
What steps do you think Nigerians can take to improve their way of life and create a brighter future within Nigeria?
Share your insights and let’s start a conversation about the future of Nigeria.
