Mathew Amaechi
About 56% of Nigerians have considered migrating from the country, which is a 20-percentage-point increase from 2017. According to a report by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network. This trend is most prevalent among the educated, urban, and youth populations.
The report highlights the search for better opportunities, work, and escape from economic hardship as the primary motivations behind this desire for migration. The most popular destinations for potential emigrants are North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Unemployment is a significant driver of this trend, with 66% of unemployed individuals considering relocation. Among those employed, 58% of full-time and 56% of part-time workers have considered emigration.
Nigeria has witnessed a surge in migration in recent years, with 1,574,357 people leaving the country between January and September 2023. This brings the total number of emigrants in the last two years to 3,679,496.
The brain drain, particularly in the health sector, is a significant concern, as many professionals seek better working conditions abroad. Furthermore, the wave of migration is causing emotional distress, tearing families apart.
Despite these challenges, the report notes that the government has failed to address the underlying issues driving migration, including the poor economy and failed systems.
