The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that many Nigerians living abroad are experiencing regret and depression due to the challenges they face in their host countries.
In a post on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa revealed that NiDCOM has been receiving numerous complaints from Nigerians abroad expressing their struggles.
Her statement was in response to a tweet by UK-based lawyer Dele Olawale, who described the immigration atmosphere in the United Kingdom as increasingly difficult and warned Nigerians against relocating without careful consideration.
Olawale highlighted cases of depression, broken homes, and financial struggles among Nigerian migrants, advising prospective emigrants to seek legal advice before making such a decision.
Olawale stated, “The UK immigration atmosphere is becoming toxic. Things are becoming increasingly difficult. If you are doing well in your home country, think very well before you leave or sell everything to come over here.”
Quoting his tweet, Dabiri-Erewa reiterated the message, stating, “I hope this message resonates. We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said. “As @MoroOjomo said, “ the grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.”
This follows an earlier remark by Dabiri-Erewa in 2024, where she warned that some Nigerians were relocating to countries with worse living conditions than Nigeria.
She has since appealed to influencers and bloggers to help raise awareness about the risks of unplanned migration.
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The “japa” trend—where Nigerians leave the country in search of better opportunities—has been fueled by economic hardship, inflation, and rising living costs.
“Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers. Help us appeal to Nigerians that where you are running to is worse than where you are running from (Nigeria),” she stressed.
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