NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa warns that many Nigerians who relocated abroad now face regret and depression. According to her, NiDCOM receives distress calls from struggling migrants. She urges Nigerians to rethink relocation, citing worsening conditions in some foreign countries. Her statement has sparked debate among Nigerians online.
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has revealed that a growing number of Nigerians who moved abroad are struggling with regret and depression. According to her, NiDCOM has been overwhelmed with distress calls from individuals facing unexpected challenges overseas.
Dabiri-Erewa made this statement in response to a tweet by UK-based lawyer Dele Olawale, who warned that conditions for immigrants in the UK were worsening. He urged Nigerians to carefully assess their options before relocating, emphasizing that many who left their stable lives in Nigeria now face hardship, family strain, and mental health struggles.
Quoting Olawale’s tweet, Dabiri-Erewa cautioned Nigerians against assuming that life is automatically better abroad. “We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” she wrote, reinforcing the idea that “the grass is greener where you nurture it.”
The "Japa" wave—driven by economic hardship, high inflation, and limited job opportunities—has seen thousands of Nigerians relocating in search of better prospects. However, while some succeed, others encounter difficulties such as job insecurity, high living costs, and cultural barriers.
Dabiri-Erewa previously warned that some Nigerians were migrating to countries with conditions worse than Nigeria’s. She urged influencers and bloggers to amplify awareness, stressing that relocation should be a well-informed decision rather than a desperate escape.
Her remarks have sparked mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians agree that migration is not always the solution, others argue that leaving the country remains their best decision despite the challenges.
