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The desperation on the part of many Nigerians to travel out of the country is believed to have reached an alarming level in recent times.



And indeed Vanguard Metro’s visit to some embassies in Lagos revealed scenes of absurdity involving many Nigerians, both young and old, desperate to flee their country at the slightest opportunity.

At all the embassies visited there was almost always a crowd of visa seekers jostling and fighting desperately under the sun or rain to be attended to. To them, the visa they seek is as important as the Holy Grail, which explains why they are prepared to sacrifice anything, including their dignity, comfort and personal safety in their quest for it.

This development only goes to confirm that all the campaigns and other efforts by government and its relevant agencies to discourage Nigerians from travelling out of the country on flimsy grounds have so far come to nought.

What Vanguard Metro saw in one of the African embassies located at Sinari Daranijo Street, Victoria Island was astonishing and unbelievable. It was a Thursday and it was raining heavily when Vanguard Metro got there at about 5.45am. Yet the number of visa seekers was over 300 and the applicants had been divided into two queues with the first one being for first time travellers, work and study permit applicants while the other queue was for corporate clients, frequent travellers, transit and medical visa.

“How did these people get here this early?” queried a fellow who was a first time visitor to the place. Another fellow who identified himself as Tope had responded thus: “For anybody to be among the first 20 on these lines, the person must have been on the queue by 4.00am”.

This was a shocking revelation which was confirmed by another visa seeker by name Ajayi. According to him: “I have been trying my luck for the past one week, only to be getting here by 6.00 am and meeting many people. I then requested for a friend to bring me down here in his car yesterday and we slept in the car to make our being on the line by 4.10 am this morning possible”.

Also easily noticeable were the ubiquitous touts as they went about rendering one service or the other and collecting money from desperate applicants. The Police were not left out as officers and men from the Maroko and Bar Beach Police Stations used the opportunity to make brisk business for themselves as they were seen arresting and searching people and ‘penalising’ those “with questions to answer”.

This should be blamed on the Nigerian government, what are they doing for it's citizen? Absolutely nothing, it's a shame on Nigeria that even at this century and after a long years of independence, we can't boost of good roads, electricity, good standard education, Unemployment, e.t.c

A lot of Nigerians abroad are suffering with no jobs, facing racism and heavy cold. The Government are just there for their own good. Most Nigerians Killed abroad due to racism and the ambassador of such countries do nothing about it.

So I don't blame those sleeping day and night at the embassy seeking visas, they are seeking greener pasture,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Advance.

hadexman:

This should be blamed on the Nigerian government, what are they doing for it's citizen? Absolutely nothing, it's a shame on Nigeria that even at this century and after a long years of independence, we can't boost of good roads, electricity, good standard education, Unemployment, e.t.c

A lot of Nigerians abroad are suffering with no jobs, facing racism and heavy cold. The Government are just there for their own good. Most Nigerians Killed abroad due to racism and the ambassador of such countries do nothing about it.

So I don't blame those sleeping day and night at the embassy seeking visas, they are seeking greener pasture,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Advance.

But is it worth the whole stress,

Nigeria govt should do somthing for its citizens e.g benefit system

anguskelly:

But is it worth the whole stress,

I can't give answer to your question. Reason because, it depends on what the applicant is applying for, some student or work permit and others might be medical, visit or holiday visa.

It's just that some Nigerians are getting it all wrong by applying for a visiting visa and hoping to find job and live permanently abroad.

I notice this visa stress happen mostly in Nigeria, i was lucky to accompany a friend of mine (He is a Nigerian) to Polish Embassy here, you wouldn't believe that there was few numbers of guys which i can count there.

His documents wasn't enough to prove that he will come back to SA and they still give him the opportunity to go bring more documents, at the end of the day, he was issued 1 month business visa.

So i will blame it on the Nigerian government.

Nigeria govt should do somthing for its citizens e.g benefit system

Yes I agree the Govt should do something about it, but the benefit system is a no go area. As the country is already corrupted, the benefit system will cripple Nigeria

ayomidej:

Yes I agree the Govt should do something about it, but the benefit system is a no go area. As the country is already corrupted, the benefit system will cripple Nigeria

Look at what benefit system has done to the UK, some working to pay for some job-shy families to stay home, make more babies,drink and do drug.

hadexman:

I can't give answer to your question. Reason because, it depends on what the applicant is applying for, some student or work permit and others might be medical, visit or holiday visa.

It's just that some Nigerians are getting it all wrong by applying for a visiting visa and hoping to find job and live permanently abroad.

I notice this visa stress happen mostly in Nigeria, i was lucky to accompany a friend of mine (He is a Nigerian) to Polish Embassy here, you wouldn't believe that there was few numbers of guys which i can count there.

His documents wasn't enough to prove that he will come back to SA and they still give him the opportunity to go bring more documents, at the end of the day, he was issued 1 month business visa.

So i will blame it on the Nigerian government.

I agree with some of your points there. If only the government can create a better environment for businesses to thrive, there would be jobs and so many people will not be leaving Nigeria to go and do odd jobs. in-fact if the climate is favorable I know a lot of Nigerians outside here who wouldn't mind returning home to start a bizness. But How can a serious minded person return to Nigeria, with the power situation, bad roads, lack of adequate securities. Where will he start from?

Honestly, if government get their act right, people would be pleading to come to Nigeria and not the way it is.

gvt of 9ja are f*****cked But i see Fashola as a future leader, never the less yu must travel and enjoy the good things of this world if your country cannot provide it.

ayomidej:

Yes I agree the Govt should do something about it, but the benefit system is a no go area. As the country is already corrupted, the benefit system will cripple Nigeria

I agree with you. . .The benefit system is a no go area defo. . . .