Dabiri-Erewa disclosed via X on Sunday that NiDCOM has been overwhelmed with distress calls from Nigerians who relocated abroad, lamenting their harrowing experiences.The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that many Nigerians living outside the country are buried in regret and depression.Her statement was in response to a tweet by UK-based lawyer Dele Olawale, who warned of worsening conditions for immigrants in the UK,”Many people are depressed. Many lives are broken. Many families are stranded. Irreversible regret,” Olawale tweeted.Olawale cautioned that the UK’s immigration landscape was becoming increasingly hostile, advising Nigerians to think carefully before leaving stable lives behind.
Amid rising economic hardship, inflation, and the soaring cost of living, the “Japa” trend—where Nigerians seek better opportunities abroad—has intensified. However, many who emigrate face unexpected challenges, sometimes finding themselves in conditions worse than those they left behind.She also talked about the popular sentiment: “The grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture.”Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers: help us warn Nigerians that where they are running to may be worse than where they are leaving,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa, called on the media in 2024 to enlighten Nigerians on the dangers of relocating out of the country without proper planning.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to reflect deeply before making relocation decisions. “I hope this message resonates. We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” she wrote.
