THE GUARDIAN
A whopping 56% of the Nigerian population have considered migrating from the country, representing a 20-percentage-point increase compared to the 2017 figure of 36%, according to a report published by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network.
“More than half (56%) of Nigerians say they have considered leaving Nigeria, a 20-percentage-point increase compared to 2017 (36%) (Figure 1). The share who say they have given ‘a lot’ of thought to the idea has tripled, from 11% to 33%,” the report read in part.
This is common among the most educated citizens. Nigerians with post-secondary qualifications account for 71% of the population, while urban residents and youth account for 63% and 60%, respectively.
Afrobarometer highlighted the search for better opportunities, work opportunities, and escaping economic hardship or poverty as the motivations behind Nigerians’ desire for migration, noting that “the most common reasons cited for potential emigration are finding work opportunities (42%) and escaping economic hardship or poverty (39%).”
The most popular destinations among Nigerians with this desire are North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
According to the report, two-thirds (66%) of the sampled population who are unemployed and looking for work have considered leaving Nigeria. In comparison, many full-time (58%) and part-time workers (56%) have also considered emigration.
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