Hardly is it surprising that Nigerians are among those topping the list of nationals seeking asylum in Canada, as recently revealed in a report by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. That trend has been resounding not just in Canada, but in virtually all developed countries in Europe, America and Asia. And the reasons are not far-fetched: they revolve around the search for the proverbial greener pasture so natural of human beings, particularly so where home conditions of living are less than satisfactory.
The challenge is for the Nigerian government, at both the federal and state levels, to step up governance, provide basic welfare for citizens, ensure availability of critical infrastructure, safeguard life and property and generally provide an atmosphere conducive to human dignity.
The Canadian report, according to a chart on CNN, showed that Nigeria came second only to Haiti among those seeking asylum in the North American country. No fewer than 6,005 Nigerians applied for asylum in Canada last year, about four times more than the 1,495 who similarly applied in 2016. Haiti topped the chart with 7,785 applicants in 2017.
Outside the formal applications, there are indications that many more Nigerians have explored the illegal route of crossing into Canada at its southern border with the United States. According to the BBC in another report, in 2017 alone, more than 20,500 migrants crossed illegally into Canada at the US border to seek asylum, representing about 40 percent of total claims. The report added specifically that “in the first three months of this year, over half the 5,052 asylum claims by those who crossed the border were Nigerian nationals and most had valid US visas.”
Sadly, despite the potential and real resources of the country, successive governments have been unable to turn Nigeria around positively in a manner that will discourage the human influx to Europe and America. Making Nigeria attractive to Nigerians remains a critical challenge of governance and governments not just to stem the tide, but also to make the country proud in the comity of nations worldwide.
Most countries to which Nigerians have migrated in large droves would acknowledge the huge relevance and contributions of Nigerians to the economy of those countries. Nigerians can be found in all walks of life, both high and low; peasants and in respectable professions. While majority of them are law-abiding, authorities of those countries have had cause to express concern about illegal immigrants.
For instance, Canadian Immigration officials are known to be working with their US counterparts to stem the rising immigrants. A spokesman for the Canadian Immigration Ministry reportedly warned last year that while Canada remains an open, welcoming country, crossing into it is not a ticket for permanent residence. That warning was apparently boosted by the Canada’s Refugee Board’s recent ruling rejecting the asylum claim of a Nigerian woman who fled her home to allegedly escape the practice of female genital mutilation.
Such rejections can cause heartache for the applicants and frustrate their desire of better life for themselves and their families. This is where the Nigerian government is expected to show leadership by, firstly, providing basic infrastructure, and promoting an atmosphere of peace to enable citizens realise their potential. Although Nigerians love to move, their penchant for illegal migration will be reduced if condition of living in their country is reasonable.
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari which is currently in charge of the country should strive harder to put the country’s house in order, provide jobs for millions of people, and secure the country from the grips of insurgents, terrorists, kidnappers and local militias who make life unbearable for the average citizen.
Beside stemming the heavy tide of Nigerian migrants abroad, a concerted effort by government to encourage Nigerians to stay at home will reduce the frequent deaths and tragedy that regularly confront the migrants who often take great risks to reach their destination through illegal routes and means. In addition, the country stands to gain more international respect if their nationals are not seen to constitute nuisance to foreign immigration authorities.
At this time of political campaigns, aspiring public office seekers should tell Nigerians exactly how they want to make the country more conducive for living, and thus discourage Nigerians from flooding other countries and subsequently creating nuisance value. Achieving this will also encourage investors and boost the economy.
More than these, Nigerians seeking refuge abroad for any reason should go through proper and legitimate procedure in order to avoid undue embarrassment and danger to themselves. And those who are already settled in foreign countries have an onerous responsibility to be good ambassadors of the country at all times.
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