There is no doubt that there is exodus of multitudes of Nigerians who are checking out of the country in search of greener pastures. Obviously, their goal is to probably enjoy a better life out there and to seek new and fresh opportunities to better their individual lives. Some travel to the western world for educational purposes.

That the Nigerian system is bad, and again and again, cannot be over emphasized. It simply signposts how degraded the economy has become over the years.

Many Nigerians have been crying and gnashing their teeth in the past few years over the non-availability of international passport booklets, a development that has deprived many from getting the all-important travel document. This has forced many to pay extra to get it done, via express, as per the Nigerian setting of getting the VIP treatment.

This system of getting VIP treatment at passport offices across the country is akin to one sitting with legs wide opened in a public transport because even if you have it, you will definitely flaunt it to get a VIP treatment to pave ways for one’s travelling movement.

Traditionally, the passport offices in Nigeria have suffered great setbacks in the past because of shortages of booklets that prevent issuance of international passports to people wishing to travel and still, the Ministry of Interior hasn’t found a permanent solution to this lingering problem.

I can categorically tell you that with my years of research and expertise in the research business, the cause of the shortages of international passports is as a result of the exodus of Nigerians to the Diaspora because of the continuous and increasing hardship in the country.

Just like the old saying goes that if you have a bigger and better opportunity elsewhere, you should go and grab such opportunity. That is why most of the youths are seeking for help far from the shores of this country.

This exodus of youthful Nigerians impacts on the nation’s economy negative because capable hands that should have been at strategic positions harnessing their talents for the sake of humanity have moved.

As a solution-minded man, I hereby urge the federal government of Nigeria to create well-paying jobs; not just some meagre minimum wage that cannot even feed a toddler for a week to drastically reduce exodus of the people from Nigeria. Also, more booklets need to be produced to decongest the passport offices across the federation and this will continue to boost the federal government’s pocket.

•Mike-Nifty A.A is a Laos-based public affairs analyst and social commentator.

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