Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that many Nigerians who relocated abroad are now struggling with regret and depression.
In a tweet on Sunday, Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that NiDCOM has been inundated with distress calls from Nigerians overseas, lamenting their difficult experiences. Her statement was in response to a tweet by UK-based lawyer Dele Olawale, who warned of worsening conditions for immigrants in the UK.
Olawale cautioned that the UK’s immigration landscape was becoming increasingly hostile, advising Nigerians to think carefully before leaving stable lives behind. “Many people are d+pre+sed. Many lives are broken. Many families are stranded.
Irreversible regret,” Olawale tweeted. “Don’t relocate just because others are doing it. Think thrice before making the jump! Most importantly, seek legal advice before abandoning your job & possessions for uncertainty.”
Quoting his tweet, Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to reflect deeply before making relocation decisions. “I hope this message resonates. We have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” she wrote.
She also echoed a popular sentiment: “The grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.” The “japa” trend—where Nigerians seek better opportunities abroad—has intensified due to economic hardship, inflation, and the rising cost of living.
However, many who make the move find themselves facing unforeseen struggles. In 2024, Dabiri-Erewa previously warned that some Nigerians were fleeing to countries in conditions worse than Nigeria. She has since appealed to influencers and bloggers to help raise awareness.
“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.
