Nigerians living abroad often complain that they miss their homeland and yearn to return home. They also lament the lack of opportunities for them to contribute to their country from afar. Some even say they wish they had never left.
The Nigerian diaspora has grown exponentially over the years. According to data compiled by the United Nations Population Division, the number of Nigerians living outside the country increased from 4.6 million in 1990 to 7.8 million in 2018. In addition, the number of migrants who returned home rose from 2.2 million in 2000 to 3.3 million in 2017.
Many Nigerians living abroad experience frustration because they have no way to contribute to their country. There are several ways to address this issue, such as through volunteering or working with local organizations.
The Nigerian diaspora is a term that refers to people who have left their homeland due to political instability, economic hardship, war, famine, etc. The number of Nigerians living outside the country is estimated at 5 million. Many of them live in Europe, America, Asia, Australia, and Canada. Most of these people left Nigeria between 1960-1980. They were mainly educated professionals, students, traders, civil servants, and business owners. Do Nigerians living abroad ever regret leaving Nigeria behind?
No!
Even though many Nigerians living abroad feel sad about leaving their home country, they still consider themselves lucky to have been able to leave Nigeria. There are many reasons why some Nigerians living abroad do not regret leaving Nigeria. Another reason is that many Nigerians living abroad are now wealthy enough to afford homes and cars back home. Most of these people have built businesses and are successful entrepreneurs. If they had stayed in Nigeria, they would probably not have achieved what they have today.
Yes!
Many Nigerians living abroad feel guilty about leaving their family members behind. They miss their parents, siblings, friends, and relatives. They often send money back home to help out their loved ones. However, many of them also feel bad about leaving their children behind. When they return to Nigeria, they realize how much they missed being around their kids. Also, many of them feel guilty about leaving their spouses and partners behind. They know that they could not provide for their families if they stay in Nigeria.
No!
Most Nigerians living abroad enjoy their lives in foreign countries. They love the weather, food, culture, language, and lifestyle of their host countries. These people are happy to be away from Nigeria. They do not want to go back to Nigeria because they do not want to deal with the problems that they left behind.
Yes!
Nigerian immigrants living abroad sometimes feel lonely. They may not understand the customs and traditions of their host countries. They may not even speak the local language. They may feel isolated and alone. They may feel depressed and frustrated. However, these feelings pass over time. In fact, after a while, they get used to the loneliness and adjust to the new environment.
Yes!
Some Nigerians living abroad wish they could bring their loved ones along with them. They would like to take their wives, husbands, children, and grandchildren with them. Unfortunately, they cannot do this. Even if they wanted to take their entire family with them, it would cost a lot of money.
Yes!
Many Nigerian immigrants living abroad feel ashamed of their past. They feel embarrassed about their poor education and lack of skills. They feel guilty about the poverty that they left behind for their families. They feel guilty about abandoning their careers and businesses. They feel guilty about neglecting their responsibilities as fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunts.
Do Nigerians living abroad ever regret leaving Nigeria behind? Share your thoughts below.
