Nigerians relocating to foreign countries have been advised by the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, to exercise caution. Archbishop Okoh particularly asked those intending to travel abroad or ‘Japa’ in local parlance to make adequate research and ask relevant questions to avoid being trapped in a dangerous web.
The duo spoke in Abuja at the fourth quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), with the theme ‘Restoration of Hope in Nigeria.’ Specifically, the CAN leader cautioned Nigerians against reckless emigration that would expose them to more danger and inhumane treatment. The cleric has argued that the solution to the country’s problems is not emigration. He said: “Nigerians have endured strife and extreme difficulties. Unfortunately, those who could not bear the situation migrated to other nations in search of greener pastures, commonly known as ‘Japa syndrome.’
According to the archbishop, “the solution is not in running away to other countries but in finding ways to restore hope of the citizens in our dear country. Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources more than many nations of the world, but we need to get it right on the management of these resources for the good of all.”
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto said he was behind the CAN leader in his effort to discourage emigration in search of greener pastures. The advice by the eminent Nigerians is proper and timely. The Japa syndrome is common among Nigerians, especially the youths. A recent survey from the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey revealed that seven out of 10 Nigerians are willing to relocate to other countries for various reasons.
Some Nigerians are leaving the country simply because they can no longer bear the excruciating poverty, hopelessness, unemployment, bad governance and rising insecurity. In this year alone, the United States Embassy in Nigeria said it has interviewed over 115,000 Nigerians, including 30,000 students, who applied for visas to the country.
Consequently, Canada has tightened its noose on emigration and increased the proof of funds for Nigerians and other international students from $10,000 to $20,000.
The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, who made the announcement, said it would commence on January 1, 2024. Similarly, other countries in Europe and America have also hiked their visa fees. Nigerians who are unable to meet up with the visa requirements are forced to resort to either travel by the sea or through the Sahara Desert, both of which are hazardous.
An estimated 30,000 people have been declared missing in the desert since 2014, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency working in the field of migration. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), estimates that for each death of a migrant in the Mediterranean Sea, there could be at least two more deaths in the desert. Most of those who died are believed to have suffered dehydration, resulting from the scorching desert heat.
In August, four Nigerian stowaways were rescued after spending 14 days on a ship’s rudder off the coast of Brazil. The four were said to be fleeing the economic hardship and political instability in Nigeria and reportedly climbed into a space above the rudder of a cargo ship and hoped to reach Europe. However, after two weeks of travelling, they ran out of food and water and in a bid to survive, resorted to drinking their urine and seawater.
Other instances of stowaways hiding in luggage compartments of aircrafts abound. Nigerians have no reasons to embark on these risky journeys. It has been discovered that many of the emigrants on reaching their destination end up being frustrated at the turn of events. We enjoin Nigerians, who wish to travel abroad, to desist from using the illegal routes. We condemn the desperation to travel abroad by Nigerians searching for greener pastures. We also hasten to add that the pastures are not always greener over there. Those who wish to travel abroad should make adequate arrangements before doing so.
Government should improve the welfare of Nigerians and provide the youths with the much-needed jobs. The general despondency in the country has tacitly encouraged the Japa syndrome. It has also encouraged some desperate Nigerians to embark on the hazardous emigration through the desert and the Mediterranean Sea. The government should fix the economy and reduce the rising cost of living. The economic hardship is becoming unbearable to millions of poor Nigerians. Government should create the enabling environment for jobs to be created for the youths. Let there by good roads, water supply, electricity and other social infrastructure that will encourage the people to stay in the country and optimize their potential.