Almost half of the Nigerian adults have indicated their willingness to leave the country in the next five years, a survey conducted by the US-based research firm, Pew Research Center, has revealed.

In the report tagged, “Many Nigerians, Tunisians and Kenyans say they plan to leave their countries in the next five years”, published on Fact Tank webpage on Wednesday, the research firm stated that the survey was conducted in 2018 across 12 countries.

The report noted that in some African nations, there are more plan to migrate than in other countries, while some who plan to migrate said they have being taken steps such as gathering information about a destination country and saving money.

“In the three African nations, two-thirds or more of all who were surveyed cite jobs, education and reuniting with family as reasons why people leave their countries.

“Conflict also plays a role: In Nigeria and Kenya, majorities say escaping violence is a very or somewhat important reason for why people leave the country.

“In Nigeria, Africa’s most populated nation, nearly half (45 per cent) of adults say they plan to move to another country within five years, by far the highest share among 12 countries surveyed across four continents.

“Meanwhile, a quarter (24 per cent) of adults in Tunisia said they planned to leave within five years, as do 19 per cent in Kenya. In 2017, substantial shares in Senegal, Ghana and South Africa said the same,” a part of the report read.

It added that the findings highlight the potential for more migration from an area of the world with a fast-growing population because in recent years, many African countries have seen a sharp increase in outmigration.

“In nations surveyed outside of Africa, fewer people say they plan to migrate. Only in the Philippines do more than one-in-ten (15 per cent) say they plan to move to another country. The Philippines has a long history of labor migration to countries around the world.

“Meanwhile, relatively low shares say this in India (two per cent) and Mexico (eight per cent), countries with the world’s two largest emigrant populations.

“Many who say they plan to move, say they will go to the United States and Europe, popular destinations for Africans who have already migrated.

“In Tunisia, a North African country near Europe, more than two-thirds (68 per cent) who plan to migrate say they will move to a European country.

“Meanwhile, Kenyans who plan to move most often say they will go to the U.S. (33 percent) or to another African country (25 per cent).

“In Nigeria, 28 per cent of potential migrants say they plan to move to the U.S., 19 per cent mention a European country and 19 per cent say a Middle Eastern country,” the statement read.

Further analysis of the report shows that many Tunisians, Nigerians and Kenyans have made preparations to migrate.

Those sampled, according to the report, said they plan to migrate in the coming years, although not everyone who says this has made preparations.

“In Nigeria and Kenya, lower but substantial shares have taken each of these steps to prepare for their move.

“About 11 per cent of Kenyans and 14 per cent of Nigerians who plan to migrate in the next five years have taken all three steps to prepare for their move.

“Those with a high school diploma or higher in Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia are more likely to say they plan to move abroad. Among sub-Saharan Africans who have already migrated, about half or more of those living in the U.S and United Kingdom has at least some College Education.

“The survey also found that younger adults, men and those with higher incomes are more likely to say they will make a move in the next five years,” the report read.

•Sourced from a Daily Trust report

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