According to an official United Nations records released in the year 2017, it indicates that there are 1.24 million migrants from Nigeria in the diaspora. This figure is likely to be higher in 2020 with the recent trend in migration from the country. The largest Nigerian diaspora community is in the United States. To illustrate this point, a US survey of 2017 states that ‘about 348,000 Nigerian immigrants living in the US’. The survey equally noted that Nigerians in the US are one of the highest educated migration groups. And are called the most successful ethnic group in the United States. Nigerians in the diaspora have distinguished themselves as highly-educated achievers in music, medicine, business and corporate enterprise, sports, music, education, and other sectors of the diaspora economy. Examples of successful Nigerian individuals include Anthony Joshua, World Heavyweight boxing champion; Hollywood actors like John Boyega, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Yvonne Oiji, Cynthia Erivo and, many others; Pealena Igbokwe, Universal Studios Group Chair; Prominent Scientists like Bennet Omalu, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Onyeama Ogbuagu, Oluyemi Baderoto mention but a few in the long list of Nigerians in the diaspora who are performing excellently well in different industries.
Nigerians in the diaspora have achieved significant success in the various diaspora communities due to some personal attributes like resilience, competitiveness, hardworking, resourcefulness, and so many others. Also, the level of infrastructural development in the diaspora communities, political system and culture, and efficient government policies aid their success.
REASONS WHY NIGERIANS EXCEL ABROAD
Competitiveness
Nigeria is a country characterized by intense ethnic polarization, conflict, and competition. Nigeria has about 250 ethnic groups. The heavy competitive nature amongst the different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria creates this natural competitive nature of Nigerians in the diaspora which results to their success. Additionally, with the largest Black population with limited resources, more Nigerians tend to migrate than other country nationals. They carry this competitive behavior outside with a burning and fearless desire to excel in whatever field they find themselves.
Nigerians Prioritize Education
Nigerians hold education in high regard because it has proven to the consistent leveler and equalizer in the country. Many have risen from the gutters to prestigious statuses due to the education they acquired and so, the people prioritize education even when they migrate to other countries. Currently, over 90,000 Nigerian Students a year study abroad with a substantial amount going to the UK and the USA.
Hardworking and Resilient
Nigerians are renowned to be very hardworking and relentless individuals abroad, with a strong desire to succeed. Fueled by a lack of opportunities at home and unpleasant situations, they are motivated and encouraged to strive hard and excel. According to a 2018 report on the integration of migrants in the German labor market, issued by the Institute for Employment Agency, which is affiliated with the German Employment Agency, shows that Nigerians have an edge when it comes to finding jobs in Germany. This can be attributed to the fact that Nigerians are hardworking, dedicated, and committed in their workplace.
Infrastructural Development
The standard of infrastructure in abroad facilitates the success of Nigerians residing over there. For example, Nigerian students studying abroad enjoy uninterrupted power supply, good transport networks and facilities, adequate water supply, efficient waste management systems, and effective telecommunications systems, which results in their high academic achievements and records. Take for instance, in 2017 Christiana Esio Udoh,26 years, a Ph. D student of Chemical Engineering of the British imperial college bagged the prestigious and enviable Dudley Newitt Prize for experimental excellence. She broke the existing academic record and is the first Nigerian to have merited the award since the birth of the university in 1845.
Strong Fraternity and Unity
Nigerians are known to congregate and ‘link-up’ with one another when they migrate abroad. This has served as a support system for the people, especially for new immigrants trying to find their bearing. Nigerians especially congregate according to their tribes and ethnic groups and they host periodic meetings and events which allow for building communal relationships amongst themselves.
Conclusively, as Nigerians travel for education, business, trade, work, or for leisure, they make significant impacts on their home country, especially in the area of the economy. As already indicated in the introductory paragraph, there are 1.24 million migrants from Nigeria in the diaspora, consequently, Nigeria accounts for over a third of migrant remittance flows to sub-Saharan Africa. These flows amounted to US$23.63 billion (2017:US$22 billion) in 2018 and represented 6.1% of Nigeria’s GDP. The 2018 migrant remittances translate to 83% of the federal Government budget in 2018 and 11 times in Foreign Direct Investments flows in the same period.
SOURCES
- Adeagbo and Ayandibu, (2014). Impact of Remittances on development in Nigera: Challenges and
Prospects, Researchgate https ://www.researchgate.net/publication/2663 72107
_impact_of_remittances_on_development_in_Nigeria challenges and Prospects/download
- World Bank Press Release. (2018). http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2018/04/23/record-high-remittances-to-low-and middle-income-countries-in-2017.
- Pew Research center (2018). https://www.pewglobal.org2018/03/22/atleastamillion sub_saharan_Africans_moved_to_europe
- Ima Jackson-Obot. financiatimes.com/Nigeria_60What makes Nigerians in diaspora successful.
- Nigeria diaspora Affairs. Nigeria student breaks Academic Record In UK. http://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=20413 77866080784&id= 1669726819912559