Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), on Saturday claimed many Nigerians living abroad live in regrets and depression.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said in a tweet on Saturday that many Nigerians abroad kept bombarding her agency with calls, expressing regrets and depression.

Her statement comes as a reaction to a UK-based lawyer, Dele Olawale’s tweet stating, “The UK immigration atmosphere is becoming toxic. Things are becoming increasingly difficult. If you are doing well in your home country, think very well before you leave or sell everything to come over here.”

“Many depressed people. Many broken lives. Many broken homes. Many stranded families. Irreversible regret. Could you not do it because others are doing it? Think thrice before making the jump! Most importantly, get legal advice before you throw your job and prized possessions away for nothing,” Mr Olawale said.

Quoting Mr Olawale’s tweet, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said, “I hope this message resonates. We @nidcom_gov have been bombarded with many cases of regrets and depression,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said. “As @MoroOjomo said, “ the grass is not greener on the other side; it’s greener where you nurture it.”

This comes as Nigerians continue to leave the country for greener pastures abroad, a trend popularly termed japa, a Yoruba word for escape. 

Increased economic hardship, inflation, and unprecedented cost of living crisis have increased the number of Nigerians leaving the country in recent times.

In 2024, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said some Nigerians fled to countries worse than Nigeria.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Nigerian influencers and bloggers to help sensitise citizens against fleeing to countries “worse than” Nigeria.

“Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers. Help us appeal to Nigerians that where you are running to is worse than where you are running from (Nigeria),” she said.