Despite a large number of maltreated Nigerian migrants, Nigerian still want to migrate.
Lately, the world has watched the return of Nigerians from Libya migrant camps but a survey shows that 3 in 1 Nigerians still plan to migrate.
A survey conducted by CLEEN Foundation and Afrobarometer released results on December 18, that shows that 1 in every 3 young and educated Nigerian has considered leaving the country for a variety of reasons.
Notwithstanding, the government has urged Nigerians to stay in Nigeria and seek out opportunities that the country can provide instead of leaving to international shores in hope of greener pastures.
This advice, however, may be falling ears as a large percentage of Nigerians are making preparations to leave the country.
1 in 3 Nigerians want to leave the country for foreign shores
The most common reasons for leaving cited by potential emigrants were 35% saying they want to find work and 24% say they are trying to escape economic hardship.
Already 12% say they are taking concrete steps to leave the country while 35% say they plan to leave within the next year or two and 52% say they had considered emigrating but have not made specific plans yet.
About 8 in 10 potential Nigerian emigrants are aged 35 or younger, including 45% who are 25 or younger and about 35% have post-secondary school qualifications.
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Nigerian government's advice to potential emigrants
Sadiya Umar Faruoq who is the Federal Commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), addressed this issue at a roadshow in commemoration of 2017 Migrant Day celebration.
Faruoq advised all Nigerians planning to leave the country for greener pastures abroad to stay back and help develop the country.
He also lamented the inhuman treatments Nigerians are exposed in their bid to migrate irregularly saying that, "your lives are more valuable and there are options for you at home."
Frantz Celestin, who is the Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also called upon the government to provide the enabling environment for Nigerians to stay in the country rather than migrating.