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Editor

January 7, 2021

The Verdict By Olusegun Adeniyi

Once again, Nigerian professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 are emigrating abroad. Those who are married go with their families. Economic upheaval at home and an almost out of hand national security challenge explain why these young citizens choose to vote with their passports. But this is also a global phenomenon. Whether in Africa, Asia or the Americas, we are dealing with what Patrick Gilligan has described as the ‘No Nation’ Generation whose members “are breaking ties with their birth countries and seeking a more affordable and better standard of living overseas.”

The leading countries in which most of these professionals seek to reside, going by the latest MoveHub global survey, are the United Kingdom, Australia, US, Spain, Canada, France, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and Portugal. At number 16, the only African country on the list is South Africa. According to the survey, “the majority chose better job prospects as the main reason to move country” which then reveals that “young people are moving abroad for profound reasons, to advance themselves and their career in a hospitable environment, rather than for the change of weather.”

In the case of Nigeria, dwindling opportunities resulting from mismanagement of our affairs amid a population growth that far exceeds our resources has compelled many of our young citizens to look abroad. As I said in my 1st October 2016 Platform Nigeria presentation, confronted with a dilemma of having roamed the streets for several years after graduation without job prospects, many have re-examined their options. Even those supposedly meaningfully engaged suffer all manner of indignities from places of work where they are paid miserable wages. With these challenges, as I reasoned in that intervention, our young professionals now pose the same question popularized by the four Biblical lepers in 2 Kings, chapter 7, verses 3 and 4: “Why are we sitting here until we die?”

For these compatriots, the most preferred destination is Canada, essentially due to its easy path to citizenship. Canada, by the way, supported—both in cash and kind—the efforts of civil society groups like the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to confront the tyranny of the late General Sani Abacha in the nineties. So, the country has always been friendly towards Nigeria. The main attraction of course is that obtaining Canadian citizenship provides access to job opportunities. More crucially, their law allows for multiple citizenship so you are not required to renounce your Nigerian root in the process. Besides, a Canadian Passport also enables citizens to travel to many countries without having to obtain a visa.

With an estimated population of 37,742,154 people and a density of four persons per square kilometre (given its 9,093,507 square kilometre land size), Canada is always going to need more people. To underscore that need, the United States has a population density of 36 persons per square kilometre, which means a Canadian has nine times the size of land available to an American! But Canada has approached immigration in a strategic manner by attracting the best around the world, regardless of colour or creed.

Meanwhile, it is a legitimate aspiration for our young citizens to seek better prospects abroad. But I am concerned about a growing trend on social media. The moment someone secures their papers to emigrate, they will denigrate, abuse and curse Nigeria before they depart or after they get to their ‘promised land’. It is not a wise thing to do. I made this point in my September 2017 lecture at BAZE University, Abuja on ‘Leadership and Responsibility in the Age of Social Media’, where I warned the audience to be well aware that the things they document in a moment of exuberance or anger could come back to haunt them. And I cited two examples from my experience as presidential spokesman to make the point. So, to our young citizens, please explore possibilities to seek greener pastures abroad. But don’t throw darts at the country of your birth on your way out.

‘Nigeria is a useless country’ is a standard refrain. Some of our young citizens who emigrate have perfected the art of detaching themselves from the nation as a shared patrimony. Yet regardless of whatever may be their frustrations with Nigeria, critical stakeholders should take responsibility for lost opportunities and the challenge of national retrieval. That of course requires leadership and political will. Unfortunately, this tragic gap has bedeviled our nation repeatedly for more than six decades. Even at that, we can look at the emigration drove in different ways.

Nigeria has one of the most educated and enterprising Diaspora populations across the world. At home, we have a population of young people. Not only are many countries in Asia and Europe ageing, some are also now declining in numbers. In the year just ended, for instance, South Korea recorded more deaths than births for the first time in their history. In 2020, only 275,800 babies were born while 307,764 persons died. At some point, these countries would have labour shortages and might seek migrants. Only the prepared in terms of quality education will be able to take advantage of such opportunities when they eventually come. The real problem is that we are breeding liabilities, not assets, since the majority of our young population are lacking in education or basic skills. It is worse in the northern parts of the country where bandits, Boko Haram and other criminal networks have combined to make schools unsafe for children, thus effectively mortgaging their future.

At all levels, and in practically all sectors, we are running a system that is rigged against our young people. Some universities are yet to complete the 2018/2019 academic session! On Monday, Bayero University, Kano (BUK) officially announced the cancellation of the 2019/2020 academic session. Others may not want to admit it but there is hardly any federal university in Nigeria today that has not lost at least an academic calendar to recent ASUU strikes. But no matter the frustration with the system, resentment against the government should never translate into hate for one’s country. Our young people must begin to differentiate between Nigeria and the government in power, even though I also understand the trigger. At every epoch, public officials and their supporters have behaved as though they have a monopoly on patriotism. They will defend Nigeria—which they equate to the government they serve or support—until the baton changes hands and then they also begin to disparage the same country they once opportunistically defended. In essence, Nigeria has always been the scapegoat for the failings of its leaders.

While I am not advocating that we blind ourselves to our problems, it is important to recognise that Nigeria is more than the physical space. Besides, the country many of our young citizens are emigrating to were built by people. To that extent, the pent-up anger and negative energy being unleashed against the same Nigeria that must have provided them (or their parents) some ladder in terms of the opportunity to properly emigrate is not right. And nobody should write off Nigeria. We may be down today; we are certainly not out. Our incredible array of talent in different fields still abounds. Despite our challenges, many will still choose to stay.

I have a story with which I constantly ‘harass’ my wife. In 1995, while we were still courting and I was an assistant editor at the Sunday Concord, she brought me an American Diversity Lottery form for us to fill as a way we might migrate to the United States if successful. More out of pride than any serious conviction, I told her to forget me in such an arrangement. To counter her disappointment, I said: “A time will come when you will not have to go to their embassy before you secure the Visa to any country of your choice.” She replied: “Enu e ti po ju (you fanatise a lot),” and we laughed over it. As it turned out, for her first trip to the United States in 2003 (at a period I was editor of Sunday THISDAY), the only thing that took her to the American embassy was her finger print. The then Public Affairs Officer (PAO) at what was called United States Information Service (USIS) at the time—now Public Affairs Section of US Consulate General—in Lagos, Dr Atim Enaida George (currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Black Studies Research, University of California at Santa Barbara) gave my wife a ‘Referral Letter’. For all her other trips since then, she has outsourced the responsibility of obtaining her visa to me. And with that, I have also had to keep reminding her of my 1995 ‘prophetic declaration’!

But I could take that calculated gamble 26 years ago because the fundamentals of our country were still strong. Our estimated population was 107 million, the national security situation was relatively okay (without insurgents, bandits and kidnappers terrorising our lives) and graduates were still getting jobs. Although we also had economic challenges at the time, most were attributed to military rule with the expectation that once we ushered in the democracy we were fighting for, our fortunes would change. Sadly, things have not turned out that way. Now, were the offer of the American Diversity Lottery form made today and I was a struggling journalist at age 29, not only would I jump at it, I would probably be exploring opportunities to emigrate to other countries as well. This is the point we should never miss in this conversation.

Globalization has created a generation of virtual citizens. Attachment to nation space and cultural roots now counts for less than material fulfillment. Young Nigerians who emigrate to more prosperous countries where they are guaranteed basic livelihoods and their children can access good education do not necessarily love Nigeria any less. But they are full of anger and disappointment with successive governments that continue to betray the hopes of our people. That is the challenge at hand. It is hard to wean back the loyalty and patriotism of youth who leave injured by the betrayal of a nation they call theirs but which fails to provide them a fighting chance to prove themselves or justify their skills and training.

All factors considered, the task of repossessing the souls of our new Diaspora citizens is still one of responsible and accountable governance. It is therefore in the enlightened self-interest of critical stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to begin to change the current narrative by making the country work for all Nigerians rather than just a privileged few. To our young citizens who seek greener pastures abroad, my admonition remains the same: Emigrate if you must. But never give up on Nigeria.
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• You can follow me on my Twitter handle, @Olusegunverdict and on www.olusegunadeniyi.com

Lalasticlala Mynd44

Up to them.

If you like immigrate to the sky, the citizens there will still ask your fourth generation, where are you orginally from?

Most Nigerians spend all their days abusing and causing Nigeria.

Even when they immigrate out of Nigeria, the abuse still continues.

You were in Nigeria, you abused the country, you immigrated to canada or whatever and still continue the abuse.

What do you really want from Nigeria?

If you can not add anything to Nigeria's development, stop complaining

Nice article. Personally, I love my Nigerian culture, so it's something I'll always identify with and be proud of and that's it for me.

However, this is a personal decision. People talking about asking generations "where are you from?" Have you heard of Chi Onwurah who categorically stated she isn't a Nigerian but British even though her father was Nigerian. Did the world fall on her head? Do you think her 3rd generation will ever have anything to do with Nigeria or even claim they are from Nigeria when asked?

I am not in support or against anyone who wants to denounce Nigeria. It's their personal choice. Let every man do what he likes. "If you can't add anything to Nigeria's development..." What has the country and its leaders done to help itself? Some of us just love home and will love to be connected to our roots, not because there's anything special

This guy and Frank Nweke(jnr)....my respect for them

Canada has approached immigration in a very strategic manner by attracting the best around the world, regardless of colour or creed.

Not in a country like Nigeria where bigotry, nepotism ethno-religious supremacist agenda is the underlining principle of government.Hence the backwardness of the nation.

Imagine the quota system nominee of the sitting Nigerian president can only garner a disgraceful 5 votes from a 110members ICC sitting caucus citing his not having the appropriate qualifications.

Meanwhile, the sitting president of the ICC is an Igbo-speeaking country man who got to that position based on merit.Same way another fella from the Eastern region was made the chief judge of a Canadian province not based on any criteria but merit.

thebosstrevor1:
....Most Nigerians spend all their days abusing and causing Nigeria.Even when they immigrate out of Nigeria, the abuse still continues....

What do you really want from Nigeria? If you can not add anything to Nigeria's development, stop complaining

Well, as part who you're nah, your thinking will not let you appreciate what will make a graduate or non-graduate to abandon his land of nativity like Nigeria for a foreign nation.Nigeria didnt made these people who go out to seek a living abroad, they struggle against many odds to make themselves.

Even the leadership of this now moribund nation who had the best of life(FG/Foreign scholarships, govt grants, executive privileges, etc) back then, are still going abroad after more than 60years of independence because of greed, corruption & sheer wicked.

What is the president doing by seeking healthcare in London hospitals despite promising not to indulge in such profligacy prior to coming to power while Aso Rock Clinic, National Hospital-Abuja & other healthcare institutions in Nigeria are death slabs?

What about degrading his countrymen & nation whenever he is outside the shores of this nation(remember the "Nigeria youth are lazy that are always looking for freebies/criminals seeking for asylum" statements?)

Aisha Buhari always goes to "rest" in London/Dubai while Yusuf was hospitalized in a German hospital.Mamman Daura has been hospitalized in a UK hospital for some time now.All of them @ whose expense? You know the answer.

Prof.Isaac Adewole(one time health minister) derogatorily told doctors who spent 6-8yrs training that they can go into farming or tailoring while Ngige was telling doctors to emigrate while he know the healthcare in Nigeria is terribly understaffed.

The current minister of health once told the world that he does not know how much doctors are being paid as hazard allowance.All them are well educated people who became educated illiterates because of politics.Tell me, are these the kinds of people you will want to share nationality with?

Meanwhile,many Nigerians with health challenges are allowed to die preventable deaths because of the failure of govt.What about bastardized economy/educational system(their wards school outside so our ivory towers can grow Iroko trees if they want)? Security they cant provide neither is there food security.

There are many Nigerians who are excelling in their adopted nations that they dont want to remember home because of the untold hardship they suffered when they were back home.See the reactions of many who emigrated to Canada, US, UK of how life is comfortable with responsible government in those places.

Yet, here back home is an oppressive and repressive govt that brook no constructive criticism or opposition to it evil policies.A president is the no-1 image of his nation, but if the citizens have no trust in their govt, you have no right to blame them.

Racoon:
Not in a country like Nigeria where bigotry, nepotism ethno-religious supremacist agenda is the underlining principle of government.Hence the backwardness of the nation.

Imagine the quota system nominee of the sitting Nigerian president can only garner a disgraceful 5 votes from a 110members ICC sitting caucus citing his not having the appropriate qualifications.

Meanwhile, the sitting president of the ICC is an Igbo-speeaking country man who got to that position based on merit.Same way another fella from the Eastern region was made the chief judge of a Canadian province not based on any criteria but merit.

You mean canada selected the best to come help them do unskilled labour?

See, quota systems works all over the world, the icc works on quota system, the un and other international organizations also works with quota systems.

Infact a multicultural society works on quota systems.

The canada your praised and the United states works on quota system.

Quota systems is used to appeal to minority groups in a multi cultural system

fûck the bridge, what matters most right now is leaving the shîthole

Upton:
Nice article. Personally, I love the Nigerian culture, so it's something I'll always identify with and be proud of and that's it for me.

However, this is a personal decision. People talking about asking generations "where are you from?" Have you heard of Chi Onwurah who categorically stated she isn't a Nigerian but British even though her father was Nigerian. Did the world fall on her head? Do you think her 3rd generation will ever have anything to do with Nigeria or even claim they are from Nigeria when asked?

I am not in support or against anyone who wants to denounce Nigeria. It's their personal choice. Let every man do what he likes. "If you can't add anything to Nigeria's development..." What has the country and its leaders done to help itself? Some of us just love home and will love to be connected to our roots, not because there's anything special

there is nothing like 'Nigerian culture'

mike8804:
there is nothing like 'Nigerian culture'

"my". I'm from a place in Nigeria and we have a culture and way of life that I love. So what is it? You want me to mention Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa culture? I don't have power for that.

thebosstrevor1:
You mean canada selected the best to come help them do unskilled labour? See, quota systems works all over the world, the icc works on quota system, the un and other international organizations also works with quota systems.

Infact a multicultural society works on quota systems.
The canada your praised and the United states works on quota system.Quota systems is used to appeal to minority groups in a multi cultural system

Even if that is the case, an average Nigerian including you will gladly choose the alleged foreign "quota system"
comparable to the sorry entity a nation like Nigeria have become today.

Racoon:
Even if that is the case, an average Nigerian including you will gladly choose the alleged foreign "quota system"
comparable to the sorry entity a nation like Nigeria have become today.

Nigeria isn't in any sorry state and i will choose Nigeria anyday and anytime.

thebosstrevor1:
Up to them.

If you like immigrate to the sky, the citizens there will still ask your fourth generation, where are you orginally from?

Most Nigerians spend all their days abusing and causing Nigeria.

Even when they immigrate out of Nigeria, the abuse still continues.

You were in Nigeria, you abused the country, you immigrated to canada or whatever and still continue the abuse.

What do you really want from Nigeria?

If you can not add anything to Nigeria's development, stop complaining

As long is illiterates keep running the affairs of this country, let the bridge burn.

Nice article Segun. You raised some salient points.
Those in power have to do more for the future of Nigeria.