Nigeria, a vibrant and diverse country in West Africa, has a significant Diaspora spread across the world. Nigerians have sought greener pastures, better opportunities, and educational advancements in various countries and they contribute significantly to their host countries and the global economy and maintain strong ties to Nigeria. This blog post attempts to provides a detailed analysis of where Nigerian immigrants are located around the world
Estimates of the population of Nigerians in the Diaspora vary widely, ranging from 1.24 million migrants (United Nations, 2017) to as high as 5 million. In 2016, Reuters reported that according to Western Union, over five million Nigerians living abroad were sending money back to Nigeria – this suggests that as of 2016, there were over five million Nigerians living outside Nigeria.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ (UN DESA) estimate at mid-year 2020, of the total number of international emigrants from Nigeria is 1.7 million. In a 2011 World Bank report on Remittances in Africa, it was stated that as of 2006, an estimated 3.4 million Nigerians were living as migrants with different residence statuses across the world, up from Nigeria 187 1.9 million in 2004 (Nwajiuba 2005; Tomori and Adebiyi 2007).
Estimating the size of a Diaspora in a country gets complicated by several factors, including definition, place of birth, time of emigration, citizenship, questions of identity, survey methods, etc . For example, in some cased children of migrants born in countries or areas of destination are not included in the count of the Diaspora whole sometimes a broader definition which often includes persons of a certain ancestry or descent, such as children and grandchildren, is used.
However, official numbers of Nigerians living overseas typically undercount the actual number of the Nigerians living in most countries and so it is difficult to get an exact estimate. What is known is that in recent years, the number of Nigerians that have left Nigeria has incrased significantly and this has increased the size of the Nigerian Diaspora.
Undercounting of Nigerian immigrants can be attributed to issues such as, resistance of some Nigerian immigrants to identify themselves for official purposes, apathy amongst the Nigerian Diaspora and a lack of effective methods, by host countries, to identify reach and engage with Nigerian immigrants to get them counted.
Top Destinations for Nigerian Immigrants
Data: KNOMAD/World Bank & UN International Migrant Stock 2020 Image markup by NGEX Image Source : Migration Policy Institute Data Hub
As stated earlier, the estimated population of the Nigerian Diaspora in different countries varies significantly from report to report. However the 2015 UN Report on Trends in International Migration Stock (header image above) which showed that the Top 5 countries where Nigerian immigrants are located are: USA, UK, Cameroon, Ghana and Italy. The top five countries are consistent in the Migration policy Institute (image above) which shows mid-year 2020 estimates of the top countries with Nigerian immigrants.
United States: The United States has the largest population of Nigerian immigrants worldwide. Cities like Houston, New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta have thriving Nigerian communities. Many Nigerians seek higher education, professional opportunities, and a better quality of life in the U.S.
- Population: As of 2020, the American Community Survey estimated the number of Nigerians in the USA at 402,000. In 2022, the number had risen to 712,400. We believe that this sharp increase was primarily driven by improved survey methods which captured more respondents.
- Economic Impact: Nigerian households in the U.S. earned nearly $14.3 billion in 2018, paying over $2.7 billion in federal income taxes and $1.4 billion in state and local taxes. In 2021, they remitted $5.7 billion to Nigeria, accounting for about 30% of total remittances to Nigeria from the diaspora.
United Kingdom: The UK has a long-standing historical connection with Nigeria, dating back to the colonial era. This relationship has contributed to a significant Nigerian Diaspora in the UK. Many Nigerians have migrated to the UK for education, employment, and to reunite with family.
- Population: The UK has a significant Nigerian community, with large populations in cities like London, particularly in areas such as Peckham. In the 2011 Census, 191,183 usual residents in England and Wales recorded their place of birth as Nigeria. In the 2021 Census, 270,768 people stated Nigeria as their country of birth and 271,390 wrote in Nigerian as their ethnic group – which is 0.5% of the population of England and Wales.
- In Ireland, the 2022 census stated that 8,368 Nigerians were resident in Ireland, and 20,559 people were born in Nigeria but usually resident in the country. This is an increase of 3,990 since 2016, and Nigerians are the largest African group in Ireland. Nigerians live in many cities, including Cork, Limerick, and Dublin.
- Also, in 2023, the UK Office for National Statistics said that a total of 141,000 Nigerians migrated to the United Kingdom (UK) between June 2022 and the year ending June 2023. This would significantly add to the total number of Nigerians in the UK.
- Historical Ties: The UK’s historical connection with Nigeria, stemming from colonial times, has facilitated continuous migration. Many Nigerians move to the UK for education and employment opportunities.
Canada: Canada’s immigration policies have attracted a growing number of Nigerians recently. The country’s multiculturalism and opportunities for education and employment make it a popular destination for Nigerian immigrants.
- Population: As of 2021 there were 124,705 Nigerians in Canada (statistics canada, 2021)
- Reasons for Migration: Education and better living standards are primary reasons for Nigerians moving to Canada.
South Africa: Despite recent challenges, South Africa continues to be a destination for some Nigerians. The country’s economic opportunities and cultural similarities have drawn Nigerian immigrants, particularly those seeking entrepreneurial ventures
Other Countries: Nigerian immigrants can also be found in countries like Germany, Italy, France, Australia, and various African nations. These destinations offer different opportunities and experiences for Nigerians seeking a better life.
Factors Driving Migration from Nigeria
- Economic Opportunities: The search for better economic prospects is a primary driver of Nigerian migration. Many Nigerians seek higher-paying jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and a more stable economy.
- Education: Access to quality education is another significant factor. Nigerian students often pursue higher education in developed countries to enhance their career prospects.
- Political Instability: Political instability and insecurity in Nigeria have led some to seek refuge and better living conditions abroad.
- Family Reunification: Family ties play a crucial role in migration decisions. Many Nigerians migrate to reunite with family members who have already settled in foreign countries.
The Impact of the Nigerian Diaspora
The Nigerian Diaspora is a vibrant and influential community spread across the globe. Their contributions to their host countries and Nigeria are immense, spanning economic, cultural, and social spheres. Understanding the distribution and impact of Nigerian immigrants helps in appreciating their role in the global community.
As the Nigerian diaspora continues to grow and evolve, its impact on both Nigeria and its host countries will undoubtedly remain significant.
