More Nigerians are fleeing to countries like Ghana and Vietnam to escape the harsh economic realities back home, even as some big businesses are gradually folding up and relocating.

The Nigerian paper, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, learnt that Nigerians now seek refuge in far-flung countries hitherto not considered as lands of "green pasture". Countries like Vietnam, Mozambique, Ethiopia and China are fast replacing the traditionally favorites like the United Kingdom, Libya and the USA. Most of the people leaving are pointing to the lack of electricity and insecurity as the cause of their exodus. Those abroad are also vowing that they won’t return home until conditions become better.

Check by the Nigerian newspaper shows that influx of Nigerians into Ghana doubled after the Presidential election that ushered in a new government there. A Nigerian living in Ghana told correspondents that many of his relatives are pestering him to get them accommodation in Ghana. He said: "I’m amazed at how Nigerians are moving into Ghana these days. You know, in the past it was as if we were stupid leaving here for Ghana, but see what is happening. Each day we see Nigerians trooping in their droves."

The Ghana resident, who spoke anonymously, gave reasons why Ghana is becoming attractive: "the truth is that the society works. In Ghana, there is orderliness, not the chaos you have here. There is constant light and this is important for living. There is also security and respect for human rights. If you ask me it is the turn of Nigerians to run to Ghana like the Ghanaians did in the 80’s.

Many Nigerians are in Ghana today, intermarrying and looking for ways to become citizens. I don’t think they would want to return unless conditions change in Nigeria," he said.

Godwin Ukwu (not real name) told our correspondents that he has finished all arrangements to relocate next month. Ukwu said his friends are "making it" in Cameroon and have asked him to join them there.

He said: "I’m going to Cameroon to sell beer. My friends are there and they are making it big in their various business. In fact, last Christmas, some of them came home and told us that we are suffering here. For instance, transportation is such a huge problem there. In fact their roads are better than the ones in the East. Besides, my business is suffering as there is no light. Customers will come and they can’t drink my beer because it is not chilled. So, I’m losing customers and business is bad."

Another respondent told our reporters that if he has his way, he would flee the country.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the man who gave his name as John said that Nigeria has become "hell" for him. John is a graduate of six years and has remained unemployed. According to him, every attempt to get a government or private job has failed. He said: "if I have the opportunity, I would leave this country. In fact, in looking for people who would tell me how to get to Libya. At least, I will get a job and my life would be safer," he said.

Like most unemployed youngsters in the country, John has tried to be self employed. He said: "my uncle gave me some money recently to start something. So I got a corner shop at Kubwa (In Abuja) to start a barbing salon. Right now, the place has been demolished and I’m looking for another place, but even if I get a place, what about light and water? Through the time I had the saloon, it was generator that powered the business and that is very expensive. Even with the generator some weeks, I will have nothing doing because of fuel scarcity. I really want to leave. I love my country but I can’t go on like this," he lamented.

A source in Vietnam, told LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that the Vietnamese government is trying to restrict the influx of Nigerians into the country because of the huge number running there.

Libya too has not lost its appeal to Nigerians. In spite of the precarious route, Nigerians daily put their lives on the line to cross over. The journey, mostly done by foot, find Nigerians crossing the Sahara, risking arrest and deadly attacks by patrol team to get to Tripoli, the capital of Libya. Says an official of a prominent government agency concerned with human trafficking, who do not want to be mentioned, " most of the travelers are girls going to engage in prostitution. The men are often their pimps. And no matter the campaign our office is making, the truth is that the rush is still on. We can arrest them or even sensitize them, but what is clear to us is that this is an ongoing war. Sex slaves are still been trafficked abroad. Our agency is helping to stave it off. But no one should be deceived, human trafficking is not going to go away in a long time. The harsh conditions here, coupled with the lure of greener pasture is just too much temptation for many of the girls and their manager to bear. The arrest and pains they suffer during the trips is a little sacrifice they make."

An emerging trend also is that of businesses folding up. Dunlop, for instance has folded up and may be relocating to Ghana. Part of the reason for the relocation is the unstable power supply in Nigeria. Checks shows that many businesses are already rethinking their continued stay in the country.

South Africa and Ethiopia appear more appealing to such big businesses. Already, major stakeholders in tourism and hospitality business are looking downwards to South Africa- a country getting ready to host the world cup in 2010.

An emerging trend also is that of businesses folding up. Dunlop, for instance has folded up and may be relocating to Ghana. Part of the reason for the relocation is the unstable power supply in Nigeria. Checks shows that many businesses are already rethinking their continued stay in the country

maxell:

But Ethiopia Wetin Nigerian dey find for Ethiopia

bawomolo:

No be for Vietnam dem dey find civilization o. naija don suffer. abeg make i find Visa go Turkmenistan.

df2006:

, it dawned on me that, what we have in our country is a total lack of leadership, lack of planning for a people as resulted in them becoming a nusiance all over the world, a leadership collaspe. they blame it on the millitary, the civillians have rule for ten years running. this is just the tip of the iceberg, brace urselves, it will get worse. can,t wait to get out of here.

df2006:

my brothers and sisters this is very alarming, and frightening, just got into guangzhou a city in china for business and u guys will be amazed at the nos of naija imigrants here, i mean abled body young men wasting away, running from the police and doing all sorts of what not, too dirty to print . a lot of them i spoke too are regreting that they ever came, but can,t go back cos of the fines involved, trust the chinese, very strict and ordered people, you must pay or go to jail untill u pay. i was thorougly ashamed and then something hit me, of the various country i have been traveling to and the swarm of nigerian imigrants i have seen, it dawned on me that, what we have in our country is a total lack of leadership, lack of planning for a people as resulted in them becoming a nusiance all over the world, a leadership collaspe. they blame it on the millitary, the civillians have rule for ten years running. this is just the tip of the iceberg, brace urselves, it will get worse. can,t wait to get out of here.

beystwin:

Nigerians running to Ghana will soon run back home because this global recession will hit Ghana more than Nigeria. Ghana as a nation that is too dependent on foreign aid is going to colapse.

beystwin:

Nigeria is not immune, But Ghana on the other hand is going to notice a big down turn

Pastor AIO:

Why does the source of the problem have to be outside the individual?  Whether it is the 'babylon' system, the poor leadership or some other external factor.  Why is it that when these people then get an opportunity to go to another country with Good leadership and good system they still manage to be nothing more than a nuisance to the society?  Is that also the fault of our bad leaders at home? 

I still haven't heard of a decent enquiry made by any African people as to why the slave trade occurred on the scale that it did.  If anything goes wrong in oyinboland, whether it is an accident, plane crash, systemic failure, whatever, an inquiry is made to ascertain the reasons why these things happened so we are better informed to deal with it and make sure it doesn't happen again. 

Or perhaps African people are pathologically incapable of self contemplation and self criticism. 

Government doesn't build roads etc, yes I agree.  But how many citizens in that country pay their taxes.  Except you are working for a big firm or bank and can't hide, most nigerians scam their government on a regular basis.  I'm not saying that if they paid their taxes then the taxes with be well spent on public utilities by the government.  But I am saying that it takes two to tango.  The people are as rotten if not more rotten than the leadership they like to blame.  In fact the leadership merely emerges from the people. 
As records attest, these rotten peoples, when they go to other societies with  'good leadership', only make themselves a nuisance to that society.  Of course I'm speaking in broad strokes and not referring to absolutely everyone.  Time and time again in London I come across nigerians that have such a rancid attitude it's terrifying.  It has gotten to the point where I have some 9ja friends that deny their nigerian.  They claim Togo.  Why?  cos no one's heard of Togo so there will be no preconceptions or prejudice against them for it. 

I personally think that the problem is cultural and spiritual, not political.  Nigerians need to do some soul searching, and I don't mean as a nation but each of us as individuals.  We need to look within and questions ourselves and our lives. 
Nigeria has always exported it's human resources for the last 400 years or more, whether it is forcibly in the slave trade, or willingly as in the present immigration situation.  These two phenomena are linked.

beystwin:

Nigeria is not immune, But Ghana on the other hand is going to notice a big down turn

medube:

I think you should get your facts right and read properly. Nigerians are not running to Ghana, Vietnam or any other country just because they think they will be come millionaires over night, afterall the global recession is hitting everywhere. BUT, and I repeat BUT, they are making these moves because there is security, political stability, stable fiscal policies, more or less stable electricity (which is highly needed for businesses) and other basic fundamental rights which are not available in Naija.

Read this article, it is a very sad situation:

http://topics.myjoyonline.com/business/200902/26377.asp

Pastor AIO:

So True. I was discussing with some friends not too long ago. These guys don't have much money but their reasoning was along the lines of . . .
1) I can wake up at 2am in the morning and feeling restless decide to take a walk around my neighbour and enjoy the night air. I can never do this in 9ja.

2) In 9ja I live in a state of constant alertness and stress, whether for my security or for my career.

3) yes, it might be possible for me to make a lot more money if I lived in 9ja, but what is it that the rich in 9ja are actually enjoying. To truly enjoy their money they must travel abroad. As a poor man in England I am actually enjoying life more than a millionaire in 9ja. By enjoying life, I mean the simple things in life such as being able to go for a walk without being accost by police or thieves.

4) Police or thieves! What is the difference?!!

And the list goes on.

londoner:

Many Nigerians only know the city they grew up in (mainly Lagos), meanwhile people have been living peacefully in other parts of the country for years.