Japa: Why Nigerians prefer to sleep under bridge in Canada – Ontario-based Nigerian

Innocent Amomoh, a Canada-based Nigerian journalist and former staff of Vintage Press Limited, the publisher of The Nation newspaper, has offered advice to President Bola Tinubu on how to address the challenges faced by Nigerians seeking to migrate to other countries due to the country’s struggling economy.

Amomoh emphasized the importance of fixing Nigeria’s economy as a means to reduce the rate of emigration. He believes that creating a more favorable economic environment within Nigeria would deter citizens from seeking opportunities abroad.

Given Tinubu’s ownership of The Nation newspaper, which played a role in his political journey, Amomoh’s advice may carry weight, as it comes from someone with experience in both journalism and diaspora issues.

In his interview with The Papers, Amomoh cautioned Nigerians about the challenges associated with migrating to Canada, dispelling the notion that it is an easy endeavor. He highlighted the importance of financial resources and accurate information in the immigration process

A lot of negative things are being said about leaving in Canada, especially about Nigerians leaving under the bridge and homeless due to high cost of living. How true is this information to the interest of people looking forward to Canada migration?

Migration from one location to the other is as old as human existence itself. While I believe there’s nothing wrong with migrating from one country to the other, it is also important to ensure that the process for proper documentation is tidied up.

Nigerians sleep under the bridge here in Canada where I reside. I can’t substantiate, but that there has been a scarcity of accommodation to house the migrants and cater for the influx of people into Canada recently is not in doubt.

This is largely because the government didn’t seem ready for the mass exodus of people into the country. So, my advice is that Nigerians should get proper education about the requirements to relocation, depending on the country one is relocating to.

Lots of people are moving away from Nigeria to UK, Canada and US with millions of naira for processing. What’s your advice for the Nigerian government?

I wouldn’t blame anyone for spending that much to relocate abroad from Nigeria, considering the present economic crunch in the country. At this point, the only advice I have for the Nigerian government is that they should fix the country if they want to keep the best brains in the country.

Is it true that live in Canada is tougher than expected now?

I think this is a global problem. Every country in the world is experiencing one form of recession or the other. Things are tough everywhere, but Africa is worse off, so you wouldn’t blame anyone from wanting to relocate. My advice is that migration is not a bad venture, but it should be done in the tight way, and that is ensuring it is done legitimately.