Introduction

In a statement released on the 23rd of November 2023, the Chairman/CEO, of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerians travelling abroad to do so legitimately, and with proper documentation to minimize the often under-reported consequences of illegal migration. Dabiri-Erewa made this statement during her private this when she visited some Nigerians in one of the shelters in Brampton, Canada. The NIDCOM Chairman empathized with the Nigerians she met who are forced to live in deplorable conditions condition and urged others planning to leave Nigeria with or without correct documentation to think about the implications thoroughly before leaving Nigeria. Many foreigners arrive in Canada to seek asylum, without a clear understanding of the economic risks associated with indirect immigration. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa also appreciated Pastor Vivian of Bethel Food Bank, who promised to continue in her communication with relevant Canadian Authorities who had earlier spoken to her about making 800 beds available at the shelter, and Mr. Wale Rabiu, owner of Matlock bakery who donated hundreds of loaves of bread to the shelter inmates.

The United Nations has stated that migration is a human right of every person. Mr Bayo Adedosu, a Principal Partner of Africa Data Warehouse and an immigration consultant was also present at the shelter with the Chairman of NiDCOM. He mentioned that the Nigerian community in Canada will do more to ensure fewer Nigerians are victims of illegal migration and emphasized the need to be patient and law-abiding while trusting that things work out for good. Many of these Nigerians in shelters are vulnerable and are victims of wrong counsel on immigration. Recently, a video went viral showing Nigerians living in very light camping tents in deplorable conditions in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. In recent years, there has been a rise of social media influencers pushing fake narratives about the ease of migration.

Is Japa a new phenomenon?

Mass immigration out of Nigeria is not new. There have been previous seasons including the 1980s/1990s when many Nigerian institutions lost professionals to mass migration out of the country. A newspaper clipping from African Concord magazine dated 3rd September 1990 describes some of the impact of the migration at the time on Nigerian institutions. Here is an excerpt from the magazine clipping: “The general grim conditions of the Nation's health care delivery are shocking, if not dangerous. Within the last three years, over 1,500 specialist Doctors and about 500 nurses are believed to have left Nigeria for greener pastures in the Middle East and the West. The allure: pay packets of between 80-120,000 dollars for an experienced Doctor. It is an escape route for the privileged and well-read. For the poor, emigration provides no succour. A return economy ticket between Lagos and London costs about N8,500, representing a more than 800 percent increase over the June 1986 cost of N484”. Below are a few clippings from the Magazine with some message themes that have come up again in recent years.

The Demystification of Japa - Coming Soon

Excerpts from the African Concord article published on 3rd September 1990, highlighting an average of 300% rise in living costs without commensurate increase in earnings which led to an unprecedented wave of immigration from the country, a record exodus with records yet to be matched.

Click on the images to view full screen.

Africa Data Warehouse is putting together a series of articles - "Japa Unlimited :: Beyond The Chronicles". This series will highlight the gains and disadvantages of migration. The series will highlight the advantages of legal migration over illegal migration and provide verifiable facts that show a very balanced narrative on immigration.
Watch out for a very detailed expose, backed by data, on the horror stories, the brutal realities, the multiple and envious successes of migration, and the unbelievable reasons why Africans take the maximum and sometimes fatal risks involved in migration. Who owns the blame for the fatalities and the occasional failures? Do African countries get the full benefits of having many people in the diaspora? Do they even get the returns of the subsidized living their citizens enjoyed before immigrating?

Watch this space for all the answers.

Joke Onojeghuo, Ph.D., a seasoned Geospatial Data Consultant and GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist, writes from Canada. Follow her on X.com: @DrjokeOfficial

Taiwo Ajakaiye, a Network Administrator and socio-economic commentator, co-writes from Nigeria. Follow him on X.com: @dmightyangel