Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has expressed concerns about the rising number of Nigerian expatriates struggling with regret and depression while living abroad.
In a social media post on Saturday, Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that NiDCOM has been inundated with distress calls from Nigerians overseas, who are facing difficulties and feeling remorseful about their decision to move abroad.
Her remarks were prompted by a tweet from UK-based lawyer Dele Olawale, who characterized the current immigration landscape in the United Kingdom as challenging and “toxic.”
Olawale cautioned Nigerians against hastily relocating, advising them to carefully consider their options before making life-changing choices.
“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,” Mr. Olawale stated.
He further highlighted the struggles many Nigerians face abroad, saying, “Many depressed people. Many broken lives. Many broken homes. Many stranded families. Irreversible regret. Could you not do it because others are doing it? Think thrice before making the jump! Most importantly, get legal advice before you throw your job and prized possessions away for nothing.”
Quoting his statement, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa stressed the need for Nigerians to carefully consider their decisions before relocating.
“I hope this message resonates. We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” she wrote. She also echoed a popular saying, emphasizing that “the grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.”
Her remarks come amid a rising wave of Nigerians leaving the country in search of better opportunities, a movement widely referred to as “japa.”
Economic challenges, inflation, and the rising cost of living have fueled the surge in emigration in recent years.
In 2024, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa had also cautioned that some Nigerians were relocating to countries with worse living conditions than Nigeria.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa has since called on social media influencers and bloggers to help create awareness and discourage migration to nations with poor prospects.
“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 urged.
