For many Nigerians, leaving the country has long been seen as the ultimate escape plan.
The dream is familiar: earn a degree, secure a visa, relocate to Europe or North America, and finally begin the “good life.” Social media often reinforces the fantasy with photos of snowy streets, shiny cars and smiling faces.
But according to the Presidency, that dream isn’t always what it seems.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, challenged the widely held belief that every Nigerian who relocates abroad automatically enjoys a better life.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morayo Podcast Show, Bwala painted a picture that sharply contrasted with the glamorous image many associate with life overseas.
He argued that while many Nigerians complain about the country’s economic hardship, some of those who emigrated years ago are facing struggles that are rarely discussed publicly.
‘The Degrees Keep Growing, But The Jobs Don’t’
Bwala said he has encountered Nigerians with impressive academic qualifications who, despite earning master’s degrees and doctorates, now survive by taking jobs far below their educational level.
According to him, many highly educated Nigerians in countries such as the United Kingdom work in care homes, warehouses and other manual roles simply to make ends meet.
For Bwala, the reality raises difficult questions about whether relocating abroad is always the success story many imagine.
“I am a resident of the United Kingdom,” he said, drawing from his own experience.
He explained that he has seen Nigerians who graduated with first-class and second-class honours leave the country, pursue additional qualifications overseas, yet end up in jobs they never imagined they would be doing.
‘It’s A Modern-Day Slavery’
Bwala went further, describing the situation as a form of “modern-day slavery.”
According to him, the nature of some of the work undertaken by highly qualified Nigerians abroad can be physically demanding and emotionally draining.
He argued that while such jobs are respectable, many professionals accept them not because they reflect their ambitions or qualifications, but because they have few alternatives after relocating.
“Some of you Nigerians who think you are suffering are actually better off than some of your colleagues who travelled abroad five years ago,” Bwala said.
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He added that many graduates who left Nigeria hoping for better opportunities have found themselves trapped in survival jobs despite investing years in education.
A Debate That Never Goes Away
Bwala’s comments have once again reignited the long-running conversation about migration, popularly known as the “Japa” movement.
In recent years, thousands of Nigerians have relocated abroad in search of improved living conditions, higher incomes and greater stability.
While many have built successful careers overseas, others have openly shared stories of starting over, working multiple jobs and accepting roles unrelated to their professional backgrounds before eventually finding their footing.
Bwala’s remarks are likely to fuel fresh debate over whether life abroad is always better than life at home—or whether the reality lies somewhere between the dreams people sell online and the sacrifices many quietly endure behind closed doors.