By Muhammad Ismail UAE
Every day, thousands of Nigerians dream of starting a new life abroad. It’s a dream rooted in despair of a nation weighed down by corruption, poverty, and insecurity. Who can blame them? The desire to seek a better life is natural, especially when your own country seems to offer so little hope.
But we must also confront a difficult truth: migration, especially under today’s global realities, is no longer the easy escape it once appeared to be. And more importantly, it may not be the solution many think it is.
In recent years, countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and others in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have significantly tightened visa policies for Nigerians. The UAE in particular, once seen as a relatively accessible destination for work, education, and tourism, has imposed visa bans and entry restrictions, with little public explanation.
While these measures have sparked anger and frustration at home, we must be honest about some of the reasons behind them. Increasing incidents involving fraudulent visa applications, overstays, and misconduct by a minority of Nigerian travelers have cast a shadow over the entire population. From tourists who end up begging in public, to students crashing rented luxury vehicles, and even cases of petty and serious crimes, these actions don’t go unnoticed in countries where order and image are paramount.
Gulf nations, whose economies rely heavily on tourism, security, and global reputation, will naturally act to protect their interests. When a pattern of abuse emerges, the response is often swift and sweeping, punishing even the innocent.
It’s easy to blame foreign governments for being unfair or discriminatory. But the deeper question is: what responsibility do we, as Nigerians, bear in shaping the way we are perceived abroad?
This is why I believe our focus should shift from lobbying for easier visa access to educating and orienting our citizens before they travel. A first-time traveler must understand that visiting another country, whether as a student, tourist, or worker, comes with responsibilities. Respect for local laws, culture, and visa conditions is not optional; it is essential.
But beyond better orientation lies a larger national issue. The root of mass migration is not just wanderlust, it’s despair. It is the loss of faith in one’s homeland. This is what we must fix if we truly want to address the migration crisis.
Interestingly, visa bans often have unintended positive consequences. When the UAE restricted visas for Nigerians, local hospitals began to see more patients who previously would have flown out for treatment. Some parents enrolled their children in Nigerian private universities instead of chasing foreign admissions. Local malls and retail stores recorded increased patronage. These are not minor gains. They show that Nigeria can meet many of our needs, if we stop running from it and start investing in it.
I am not suggesting that no one should ever leave Nigeria. There are valid reasons to migrate: academic opportunities, career advancement, safety, or family reunification. Some of our brightest minds have found global success and brought pride to the country. But for every one of them, there are many more whose migration journey is filled with struggle, disillusionment, and regret.
Too often, Nigerians are sold the myth that leaving the country guarantees success. That once you step on foreign soil, your problems vanish. The reality is far more complex. Many end up underpaid, exploited, undocumented, or worse, trapped in lives far below what they left behind.
Meanwhile, back home, the opportunity for real growth remains largely untapped. Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people, a vast, youthful market brimming with potential. The likes of Dangote, Rabiu (BUA), and Mike Adenuga built their fortunes without migrating. They stayed, they believed, and they created. So can many others.
Migration should be a choice made from a position of strength and purpose, not desperation. If you’re a skilled professional with clear goals and the intention to contribute meaningfully abroad, by all means, go. But if you’re running from hardship without a plan, or expecting foreign lands to magically solve your problems, it’s time to pause and reflect.
The future of Nigeria will not be built by those who flee, it will be shaped by those who stay and fight to fix it.
Our country doesn’t need more exits. It needs more commitment, more builders, more believers.