Strong indications have emerged more Nigerians may relocate from the country in 2023 and beyond as the nation’s socio-economic conditions worsen, and hope remains bleak.

This came on the heels of the recent removal of fuel subsidy, further depreciation of the naira, impending increase in electricity tariff, and the introduction of Value Added Tax on diesel amid an already battered economy.

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The Nigerian economy has been exposed to numerous economic shocks in recent times and this has led to a surge in the number of Nigerians leaving the shores of the country in search of greener pastures overseas.Multiple travel agency officials confirmed on Friday that ticket booking showed several Nigerians would leave the country during this summer.

According to them, several intending travelers are relocating to London, Canada and the United States of America via study route while others are leaving to take up new jobs in the Western countries.

The National Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents, Susan Akporiaye, confirmed that there has been a massive increase in the number of Nigerians travelling outside the country lately.

According to her, most travel bookings have ranged from Nigerians looking to relocate for educational to professional reasons.

Susan said, “A lot of countries, especially Canada, have made it clear that they need more hands. There is a crisis in the UK, where they don’t have enough hands to take care of the elderly. So, they opened up that they want caregivers. So, there is a massive movement in that angle, for caregiving. So this has contributed to a large number of people who want to migrate.”

The Founder of Travels N Tours, Biola Abimbola, said more people were leaving Nigeria than ever before.He said, “Yes. More people want to travel now because the state of the economy is bad and the youths are looking for where there are opportunities, especially the middle class. The problem is that more people are leaving than ever before.”

Relocation plans

One of the Nigerians seeking to relocate abroad, who said, “Not having a job is what is motivating my Japa.

I am leaving for a better chance of finding work.”The lady, who only gave her name as Doyin because she didn’t want her name in print, stated that she was set to proceed to the United States later this month to find better work and improve her life.

She added, “The day I went for my visa interview, there were about a hundred people there.”

The post Cost of living: More Nigerians may join Japa train as hardship worsens first appeared on Jungle Talker.