Many Nigerians Living Abroad Live in Regrets, Depression, Abike Dabiri-Erewa Cries Out

Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has cried out that many Nigerians living abroad live in regrets and depression.

OTN News further reports that Mrs Dabiri-Erewa who disclosed this in a tweet on Sunday, said that many Nigerians abroad kept bombarding her agency with calls, expressing regrets and depression.

OTN News observes that her statement comes as a reaction to a UK-based lawyer, Dele Olawale’s tweet stating, “The UK immigration atmosphere is becoming toxic. Things are becoming increasingly difficult. If you are doing well in your home country, think very well before you leave or sell everything to come over here.”

“Many depressed people. Many broken lives. Many broken homes. Many stranded families. Irreversible regret. Could you not do it because others are doing it? Think thrice before making the jump! Most importantly, get legal advice before you throw your job and prized possessions away for nothing,” Mr Olawale said.

Quoting Mr Olawale’s tweet, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said, “I hope this message resonates. We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said. “As @MoroOjomo said, “ the grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.”

OTN News further observes that this warning comes as Nigerians continue to leave the country for greener pastures abroad, a trend popularly termed japa, a Yoruba word for escape. 

OTN News recalls that in 2024, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said some Nigerians fled to countries worse than Nigeria.

She, however, appealed to Nigerian influencers and bloggers to help sensitise citizens against fleeing to countries “worse than” Nigeria.

“Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers. Help us appeal to Nigerians that where you are running to is worse than where you are running from (Nigeria),” she said.