The Price of Seeking a Better Life Overseas
Amid Nigeria’s persistent socio-economic challenges, many young Nigerians are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad—a movement popularly known as “Japa.” However, for many, the dream of a better life overseas comes with immense struggles, financial burdens, harsh working conditions, and, in tragic cases, untimely deaths.
From the United Kingdom to Canada and South Africa, countless Nigerians are navigating tough immigration policies, high living costs, and extreme work schedules just to survive. Some are collapsing due to exhaustion, while others face devastating realities that leave families back home in despair.
Families Sacrificing Everything for a Future Abroad
For many Nigerians, securing an education or job overseas requires significant financial sacrifices. Families often sell properties, take out loans, or use their life savings to fund a relative’s travel and tuition fees.
One such case is Adijat Akanni (not her real name), a Nigerian student in the UK, whose father, a meat seller, used his only house as collateral to secure a loan for her education.
“I haven’t even settled properly, and the bank is already demanding repayment. My school fees aren’t fully paid, and I have no stable accommodation. The pressure is overwhelming,” she lamented.
The ‘Japa’ Wave: How Many Nigerians Are Leaving?
According to data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency, approximately 128,777 Nigerian students were enrolled in British universities between 2015 and 2022. Meanwhile, over 71,459 Nigerians became Canadian citizens between 2005 and 2024, excluding thousands still studying or working there.
In 2024, at least 17,600 Nigerian students gained admission into 970 universities in the United States, highlighting the increasing trend of young Nigerians fleeing the country for educational opportunities.
The Harsh Reality Abroad: Long Hours, Poor Health, and Deaths
While many Nigerians believe that life abroad guarantees stability and financial freedom, the reality for some has been overwork, mental stress, and even death.
In the UK, the pressure to pay school fees, rent, and daily expenses has pushed many into grueling night shifts, which some Nigerians refer to as the “graveyard shift.”
Afeez Adeniyi, a UK-based Nigerian, described the night shift culture as dangerous, stating:
“People faint or collapse on buses and trains after their shifts. Many have ended up in emergency rooms.”
Similarly, Samuel Oyeleke, another Nigerian in the UK, explained that most people don’t want to work night shifts but feel pressured to due to financial responsibilities.
“The pressure abroad is too high. If you’re not careful, you may break down,” said Joshua Kwado, another UK-based Nigerian.
Tragic Deaths of Nigerians Abroad
For some Nigerians, the journey abroad has ended in heartbreak, with young individuals collapsing at work or dying unexpectedly.
1. Nigerian Student Dies in South Wales, UK
• Ross, an international student in South Wales, UK, was set to graduate in January 2025 when he suddenly collapsed and died on December 29, 2024.
• He had recently brought his wife and three children to join him in the UK.
• His widow is now seeking £30,000 via GoFundMe for his burial.
2. Chinonso Ezeonwumere Dies Before Work Shift
• Chinonso Ezeonwumere, an MSc student at the University of Hertfordshire, England, tragically collapsed before starting his work shift on October 7, 2024.
• Despite efforts by paramedics and police, he did not survive.
• His family is raising funds to bring his body back to Nigeria for burial.
3. Nigerian Carer Dies While Working in the UK
• Chidimma Ezenyili, a 37-year-old Nigerian, collapsed while working as a carer in the UK and died two days later on February 24, 2024.
• She had left her law career in Nigeria to work in the UK alongside her husband.
• Her employers denied her rest breaks, leading to work-related stress and exhaustion.
4. Nigerians Killed in South Africa
• Jeremiah Okoye (50 years old), a Nigerian resident in South Africa, died in police custody in Limpopo Province on January 13, 2025.
• Julius Chukwunta (37 years old) was attacked by criminals and died of a severe head injury in December 2024.
Financial Struggles and Exploitation Abroad
Apart from the harsh working conditions, financial struggles remain a huge burden for Nigerians abroad.
• UK visa renewal fees cost £2,800 per person.
• Monthly rent for a single room can be as high as £800–£1,200.
• Many Nigerian students work more than the legal 20-hour weekly limit, leading to mental and physical exhaustion.
A Nigerian in the UK, Nnadi Chika, revealed:
“The pressure here is crazy. People are working 20 hours daily just to survive.”
Will Nigeria Ever Be a Place to Stay?
Many Nigerians abroad believe that mass migration wouldn’t be necessary if the government invested in quality education, job creation, and economic stability.
“If Nigeria were better, I wouldn’t have left. I feel like a slave here,” said Ethel Chinedu, a Nigerian in the UK.
While some eventually succeed, others struggle with unbearable conditions that threaten their health and well-being. The dream of a better life abroad comes at a high price, and for some, it has been too costly to bear.
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