The Nigerian project has become in the nation’s lexicon, a cliché that captures the desire of government and patriots to make Nigeria a model nation, economically, socially, politically and beyond.

Being generously endowed with human and natural resources, Nigeria requires the right mix of enabling environment, purposeful leadership and supportive citizenry to become one of the greatest economies of the world in the year 2020.

However, the growing number of Nigerians seeking refuge in the world’s richest countries in recent times is bound to undermine the Nigerian project and the nation’s desire to meet the genuine needs of the people within a good time frame and available resources.

According to recent United Nation’s (UN) report, more than 10,500 Nigerians sought asylum last year. Released by the UN refugee agency the report showed that the figure was higher than the number of 2010 which was 9,500. The report further showed that Nigeria ranked 10th on the list of asylum seekers in 2011.

Clearly, these asylum seekers are running away from the challenges of developing their country to enjoy the good life in developed nations made possible by the patriotic contributions of citizens of those countries.

No doubt, the challenges of development are enormous in Nigeria. The need for social amenities in rural and urban communities, as well as developmental infrastructure, regular electricity for domestic and industrial uses and security challenges are not limited to Nigeria.

Citizens who run away from Nigeria may not understand what they may be getting into. There are chilling tales of suffering of many Nigerians overseas with some ending up in prisons. The restriction of movement and difficulty in securing respectable jobs in these countries are very real.

We are not unmindful of the fact that some Nigerians may have gone for asylum because of the difficulty of acquiring visas and other requirements that they may have to deal with in their preferred countries of stay

Even so, the application for asylum by thousands of Nigerians gives a wrong impression of the realities in the country and tends to deny the economy the desired foreign participation and support.

But governments in the country cannot miss the meaning of the desire of many Nigerians to leave the country. Government must ensure that the condition of life for the ordinary Nigerian is enhanced. Clearly, the contribution of every Nigerian is required for the realization of the Nigeria of our dream.

In spite of the exaggerated presentation of security challenges in the country, government truly needs to provide the level playing field and justice for all. The fight against corruption should be real and unbiased, while infrastructural needs should be pursued with every vigour.

As the government tackles the regime of impunity, it behooves every citizen and resident to deliberately contribute to the development of Nigeria and not the other way round. The challenges confronting Nigeria are surmountable and only Nigerians can turn the situation around.

That is why the economic base of the country needs to be expanded with the needed slant to industrialization, agriculture and the development of information and other knowledge based assets of the country.

We expect that Nigeria will not treat the issue with levity as some Nigerians have also resorted to building refineries and cement industries in neighbouring countries. Even imports go through other countries and the list is increasing. The time to stop the trend is now.