By Olakunle Agboola – Where corruption is rampant, jobs are granted not because of merit but because of political connections. This cronyism can lead to higher levels of unemployment and lower returns to human capital. This in turn slows economic growth and acts as a push factor for emigration, especially for the skilled labor force. This brain drain can trigger a vicious cycle for a country as the emigration of highly educated individuals further slows economic growth and slower growth encourages more emigration.
An official United Nations record released in the year 2017, indicates that there are 1.24 million migrants (about half the population of Arkansas) from Nigeria in the diaspora. This figure is believed to have increased in 2023 with the recent trend in migration from the country.
It has been attested that Nigerians are scattered all over the world and if you have gone to a particular country, and you don’t see Nigerians, it means it is a bad omen that the country is not economically buoyant, and you might have to find your way out and go to the country where Nigerians are thickly populated.
Many other Nationals coming from Africa and relocating abroad have testified how their life has turned around meeting Nigerians and making them a close ally. They have leveraged the fighting spirit and did not give up the mentality of Nigerians to rise from the level of a brute to become a champion.
The largest Nigerian diaspora community is in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. US survey of 2017 states that ‘about 348,000 Nigerian immigrants are living in the US’. It is believed to have increased drastically having a thick population of Nigerians in Texas, followed by New York, California, and Maryland. These states offer diverse opportunities in terms of employment, education, and cultural experiences.
Nigerians continued to make Africa proud as they are attested in the US as one of the highest-educated migration groups. They are called the most successful ethnic group in the United States, and this has been widely reported and broadcast on CNN asking the fundamental questions of why Nigerians are very successful in education in the USA.
Similar Nigerian success is reflected in the UK, where many in a highly educated diaspora work in financial services, IT, legal firms, Art, medical professions, media, and sport. What drives Nigerians to become very successful and become highflyer in their chosen profession continues to baffle a lot of people most especially the British and the Americans.
A British Uber driver called Simeon has once picked me up. He got to know that I am a Nigerian, and he expressed his utmost love and warm affection to Nigerians living in the UK. ‘I am always excited talking to Nigerians. They come to this country and do all to climb the social ladder. They don’t have impossibilities in their dictionary. They come here to study and do all to pay their school fees, which are quite expensive and at the end of the day, they excel. And look at some of our youths because they have it easy, they are busy partying, drinking, and messing up their future with all sorts of negative vices.
My wife could have died last year if not for a Nigerians Doctor at the hospital. She was diagnosed wrongly and this Nigerian Doctor called Tunde re-examined my wife and ensured she did not die of a wrong diagnosis. I have his number and we become very good friends. He told me that the Nigerian government is corrupt and that is one of many reasons why Nigerians are migrating to the UK.’’
Nigerians in the diaspora have achieved significant success in the various diaspora communities due to some personal attributes like resilience, competitiveness, hardworking, resourcefulness, and so many others. Also, one must commend the level of infrastructural development in the diaspora communities, the political system and culture, and efficient government policies cum enabling environment that has contributed to the success of Nigerians abroad.
A lot of Nigerians believe they can make it in life. This resilience attitude has helped, especially those who are not born with a silver spoon, to turn their unpalatable environment into a beautiful home of civilization. I have never seen proud citizens like Nigerians as nothing more than squaring up their shoulders and walking with their backbone straight through any difficulties.
Nigerians hold education in high regard because it has proven to be a consistent leveller and equalizer in the country. Education is the bedrock of society and that was the vision of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first indigenous Premier of Western Nigeria. Late Awolowo leveraged free education exposing the Western region to the world of opportunities and today, many have risen from the gutters to prestigious statuses.
Many Nigerians especially in the Western regions of Nigeria prioritize education when they migrate to other countries. Currently, over 100,000 Nigerian Students a year studies abroad with a substantial amount going to the UK and the USA. Nigerians are renowned to be very hardworking and relentless individuals abroad, with a strong desire to succeed. Fuelled by a lack of opportunities at home and unpleasant situations, they are motivated and encouraged to strive hard and excel.
According to a 2018 report on the integration of migrants in the German labour market, issued by the Institute for Employment Agency, which is affiliated with the German Employment Agency, shows that Nigerians have an edge when it comes to finding jobs in Germany. This can be attributed to the fact that Nigerians are hardworking, dedicated, and committed in their workplace.
Afrobeat with the ‘s’ from Nigeria has continued to add value and promote Nigerian culture all over the world with the likes of Nigerian pop stars selling out venues both in America and the UK. The success stories of Nigerians across the world have continued to generate hot debate most especially why Nigeria’s government and corrupt politicians cannot be a reflection of the achievement of Nigerians abroad.
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