Dimanche Sharon: Nigerians Shouldn’t Risk Their Lives to Seek Better Future Abroad
For many Nigerians, the dream of a better life abroad has become so compelling that they are willing to risk everything to pursue it, sometimes through dangerous and irregular routes.
The pursuit of a better life abroad has led many Nigerians to take life-threatening risks, often through irregular migration routes. Despite the promises of success shared on social media, the reality for many migrants and their families is far from ideal. Exploitation, trafficking, trauma, debt, and even death are all too common outcomes.
In this exclusive interview with Michael Olugbode, International Organisation for Migration’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Ms. Dimanche Sharon emphasizes the dangers of irregular migration and urges Nigerians to pursue safer, regular pathways to improve their lives. Irregular migration is a human story, with each individual behind the numbers and statistics facing a painful journey filled with hardships.
From dehydration in deserts to exploitation by smugglers and abuse from traffickers, migrants encounter numerous challenges that often extend beyond their destinations. Families are left in uncertainty and emotional distress, unable to provide support or know the fate of their loved ones. The human cost of irregular migration is not just measured in lives lost but also in dreams shattered and missed opportunities.
Ms. Sharon shares the story of a young Nigerian woman who, after selling her home to finance her journey, faced exploitation and abuse abroad. She eventually returned home, bearing the emotional scars of her trauma and debts. Her story highlights the need for safe, regular migration pathways, accurate information, and support for those affected.
While migration itself is not inherently wrong, unsafe migration is the real problem. Addressing the root causes of migration and providing migrants with secure options is crucial to preventing further suffering and ensuring that safe, orderly, and regular migration becomes the norm.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
