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Why Are Some Nigerians Eager To Migrate?

Published

6 years ago

January 16, 2019

Joyce Esosa, 29, is from Edo but finds herself roaming the streets of Abuja after an attempt to migrate to another country without valid documents failed.
Earlier, she had also made frantic efforts to study medicine in one of the nation’s universities but she was not lucky and she believes something ought to be done quickly because she is ageing.
She finally got involved in discussions with some friends on how Nigerians move to other countries to seek job and comfort in most of European countries, especially, Spain, via crossing the Mediterranean Sea in Libya coasts to the country.
Migrants preparing to cross to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea
Telling her story to justify her decision to travel out, she says “each day in Nigeria feels like hell for me and all I want is an opportunity to travel abroad and make a better living.
“I have nine siblings and I am the third; my father died years back and my mother is a petty plantain trader; life has been very difficult for the family.
“Two of my siblings died due to lack of money; the first one died in an accident where she hawked sachet water.
“Eight months after, I lost the second to a sickness that required blood transfusion and because the family did not have money to buy blood, he had to die.
“I decided to seek a better life for both myself and family at all cost, I ran away from home four years ago.
“I made several attempts to travel out of the country but it never worked out when a friend took me up in Abuja, promising to help me to get a job, only for her to introduce me to different men.’’
Similarly, 34-year old Musa Ahmed, a commercial motorcycle operator from Zamfara believes that people are willing to do anything to improve their living standard, attributing the development to level of poverty in the country.
“That is why the crime is high in Nigeria because it hurts a lot to see your loved ones suffering and you can’t help or do much.
“I live in an uncompleted building with my family; I was a farmer back in Zamfara now in Cross River. I relocated because I wanted a better life for myself and for my family.
“Life is not getting better here either for me and my family, I ride motorcycle in which each drop is N50 and I make at least N1, 500 per day, but it is usually not enough.
“If government can create opportunities and bring down the cost of living, things will get better and Nigerians will not waste time in seeking comfort elsewhere,’’ he said.
Observers, therefore, note that poverty, lack of job opportunities and uncertainty about life, somewhat, contribute to the desire of some Nigerians to flee the country.
The note that although government authorities and other stakeholders have been warning against illegal migration on many occasions, some people are bent on such mission that, in most cases, can end in regret.
Yet, statistics from European Union show that Nigeria has the fifth highest number of citizens illegally migrating to Europe in the search for illusive greener pastures.
Worried by the development, the Chief Executive Officer of a non-governmental organisation, Connected Development, Mr Hamzat Lawal, called on the youth to leverage on the climate change to create sustainable job opportunities using emerging technology instead of travelling overseas.
Lawal noted that climate change was a 21st century problem which could also have its advantages to check illegal migration.
He said as much as climate change was viewed as a problem, it was also an opportunity for the country to manage its limited and scare resources.
“We can generate electricity from solar energy or sunlight. We can use new and emerging technology to cook and reduce greenhouse gas; this is how it can become an opportunity.
“Climate change has affected our economy negatively; also our forest cover has been depleted over time by people cutting down trees for fire or furniture.
“The Lake Chad region which used to be a business hub for Nigeria and even other African countries, where they have fishermen and women doing businesses, is no longer so.
“This means that the young energetic people have now migrated and left the region in search of greener pasture whereas they can use new and emerging technology created by climate change to develop in their own country,’’ he said.
Lawal said migration of Nigerians had also increased because of the economic crisis in the country, observing that there were still hope and opportunities.
“We are losing talents and young minds that are supposed to build our growing economy because people are leaving the country because of lack of opportunities,’’ he said.
“Government needs to look at how we can thrive by tapping into new and emerging technologies such as the clean cooking stoves that emit lesser greenhouse gas to engage the youth.
“If we can invest more in solar technology, build capacity and also reduce taxes to businesses, it will create value and jobs.
“If there is an enabling environment where there is hope of prosperity, people will not want to travel out of the country.
“People will not want to leave their comfort zone to undertake the risk of travelling for days and putting their lives in danger.
“But, because things are not the way they should be, that is why people are willing to take all manner of risks to better their lives; simply because they believe that there is hope and prosperity on the other side,’’ he observed.
In the light of this, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, an environmentalist, advised the Federal Government to implement existing expert research findings to recharge the Lake Chad basin.
Bassey, the Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action, an environmental rights advocacy group, observed that it was a good development that Germany offered to pump 18 billion Euros to recharge the Lake Chad Basin.
He said implementing the research findings, already analysed by experts, would contribute to the success of the project.
The environmentalist, who attributed the shrinking of the lake largely to climate change, said that research had been conducted over the years on ways to tackle the problem.
Bassey, therefore, commended Nigerian and German governments for their efforts to revive the lake, noting that vibrant Lake Chad business communities would, to some extent, check illegal migration among Nigerian youths.
“We do not have details of what the assistance from Germany will be directed to, but we hope it addresses the research findings of appropriate bodies that have worked on the challenge.
“There is the need to rebuild the overall environment but this must be phased with short, medium and long term outlays.
“Efforts must be made holistically with all countries in the Lake Chad basin playing their roles.
“There is urgent need for us to step up our watershed management because sometimes, we tend to think that water supply is inexhaustible,’’ he said.
Bassey suggested intensive planting of indigenous trees and crops that were well adapted to the region to protect watersheds and the environment.
All the same, concerned citizens believe that implementation of good policies and making the governance process more citizen-friendly, are some of the methods of discouraging more Nigerians from travelling abroad illegally.
Onyegbula writes for News Agency of Nigeria.

Jessica Onyegbula

Featured

Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

Featured

Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing

Published

4 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

Featured

17 Million Nigerians Travelled Abroad In One Year -NANTA

Published

2 weeks ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.

This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.

Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.

He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.

According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.

Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.

“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.

“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.

While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.

The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”

He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.

Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.

He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”

Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.

Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”