ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVE TO ILLEGAL MIGRATION AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE IN NIGERIA TOWARDS NATION BUILDING

 

Nigerian youth constitute an integral part of the increasing shift of migrants from Africa to advanced nations. In 2016, more than 20,000 who sailed the Mediterranean Sea were reported to be from Nigeria. Moreover, from 2017 till late 2019, Nigerians in their hundreds were exiled from several destinations, including Italy, Libya, and South Africa (Lanre, 2020). People often leave their present geographic location in search of greener pastures for various reasons. The migration of people from one place to another while expropriating immigration rules and code of conduct is termed illegal migration. It can be from the perspective of a prolonged stay in a country without the legal right to live there. 

 Youths are usually vibrant and energetic as they are at the prime of their life. They seek to live a comfortable and relatively stress-free life. As they seek to make headway in life, they invest their strength and vigor to live up to their dreams. In the quest to fulfill their ambitions and expectations, they are often faced with challenges, difficulties, and the realities of their immediate environment that can abate their dreams. In response to these challenges, several youths would consider leaving their hometowns and countries for places they envisage a better place without really weighing their options. As Warsan Shire states: "No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark." Some Nigerian youths believe that they can make life worthwhile only outside the country. 

The usual complaints are; "there is no job out there, the subsidy given by the government has been withdrawn, the minimum wage is ludicrous for offered jobs, there is an economic recession," and a lot more. Other youth mental convictions are conceived based on the accomplishments or flamboyant lifestyles migrants in other countries seem to live on social media. Youths often consider migrating to other countries at all costs while making efforts to follow the trend and live up to their envisioned life, even if it means migrating illegally. "According to VisaPlace, for many people across the globe, in the quest to put an end to the dilemmas they encounter, illicit migration appears to be a solution. Economic causes and different political purposes are reasons transients migrate illegally. Nonetheless, irregular migration is a path that remains burdened with risks that should be taken into account ere one resolve to access their new residence while infringing the migration rules." 

There are sinister results and influences associated with this illicit act. Illegal migration affects the migrants and the destination country negatively. It is associated with risks, which are horrendously heinous that could ultimately lead to the loss of life of migrants. Examples abound; human trafficking, people are deceived into slavery to work as laborers on entering a country unlawfully. These victims have restricted human rights. They forfeit the freedom of speech and movement. They often object to sexual and psychical assaults. "According to Migration Commission, human trafficking can take several forms including, trafficking in women and children for sexual victimization, trafficking in human organs, and forced labor in factories, household, and other walks of life." Irregular migrants usually do not have the opportunity to enjoy the social amenities and developments provided in such countries. 

They lack access to things that should offer them comfort and ease. For instance, restrictions to health care systems, proper housing, education, bank, and jobs. Another risk related to this unlawful act is abduction and demand for ransom on the culprit. Irregular transients on their route to their target country in some instances are abducted, sexually abused, and killed when the demanded payoff seems not to arrive. 

Other risks involved include; pain, sickness, hustling, and death. In the same vein, there are negative impacts on the destination country due to illegal migration. For instance, a decline in economic status as foreign or national companies withdraw their investment. Countries that permit bootlegging with transients are at risk of ushering in particular actions of money laundering and exploitation in the public division consequently; foreign investors decrease their volume of investment due to the decline in the trust in financial practice (Lucian, 2015). Another effect of illegal migration on the host country is instability in the population density. As a result of a sudden rise in the number of people resident in the country, this may lead to inflation and thus, harm the standard of living of the people in the country and ultimately affect the country's economy. Also, there are high chances of rift existing between the native occupants and illegal transients. The native dwellers see intruders as gold diggers. 

Usually, there exists a difference in distinct and intrinsic qualities such as skin color and spoken language. Thus, there is room for a feeling of inferiority complex. A personal or social separation will exist, giving rise to violence, racism, and xenophobic attacks. "According to African Arguments, early in the month of September 2019, there were widespread xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Black African businesses were plundered and damaged, while lots of people lost their lives. The law enforcement agencies seemed incapacitated to curb the violence resulting from the attack, and some commentators from South Africa seemed to censure "criminal Nigerians" for their immense contribution in the violence." 

An adverse effect of illegal migration on the target country is the corruption of politicians and public officials by improper means such as bribery to violate responsibility, leading to the betrayal of the masses' trust in the nation's rules and code of conduct. Criminals who deal in human trafficking and drugs in an attempt to break the law would pay a huge amount to allure and corrupt officers or security sector personnel who should apprehend them and ensure they face the wrath of the law—resulting in a decline in moral values and the standard of the country.

 Illegal migration control is achievable to a reasonable extent. However, it will require a collective effort from both home and guest countries to stop this illicit act. There are quite several ways to achieve this. Some are in use already. They could also be reviewed and worked upon to achieve an optimal result. The national security policy of both countries plays a key role in preventing illegal migration. It is a set of rules based on a country's constitution formed to provide security services for its citizens and to stop perceived threats to the nation. These policies are executed through law enforcement agencies custom and border patrol officers controls the entry and exit of people or substances into the country. Both countries' joint border patrol can help prevent illegal migration by ensuring the border administration support is adequate. The use of electronic surveillance gadgets such as drones a pilotless aircraft will also enhance the effectiveness of the law enforcement agencies. It detects the presence of people in places out of view, places like the desert, seas. In cases where illegal migrants present false information or documents, for example, false declaration of marriage. The embassy should make technical progress to detect falsified documents using high-technology, anti-fraud operations. 

There are ample and various legal chances to consider aside from taking the route of illegal migration. This is not to say that our current challenges like economic recession and unemployment do not remain. However, faced with these challenges lies opportunities that could help youths live their wildest dreams. These opportunities are like raw gold hidden in the earth, which miners have to laboriously dig out. Since most young Nigerians believe the only way to live a remarkably prosperous life is to travel overseas, there should be reorientation to change this attitude and belief system. That in the face of adversity, there is hope for them. It encourages them to keep hope alive, helping them be optimistic and have a positive mental attitude towards life. This is foundational and important as people's beliefs influence their decision-making. People's belief systems form the values and principles they live by.

 Youths who migrate illegally have compromised their values like trust, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and responsibility. These values are key to pulling through when circumstances do not seem to be as envisioned. As the saying goes, information is power. A reorientation would go a long way, influencing how several youths think and their approach towards life while emphasizing the risks connected with illegal migration. Reorientation can take several forms like organizing public lectures, seminars, symposiums, posters, handbills. The aforementioned will supplant the school of thought that youth live a life worthwhile only outside the country. Youth empowerment is a realistic strategy that mitigates illegal migration. Youths are motivated to take responsibility for their wellbeing, needs, and future by taking pragmatic steps to provide a life of inestimable value for themselves. Youths are encouraged to bring their ideas to life and practice a learned skill via youth empowerment programs. Non-governmental, private, and government organizations are usual sponsors of the program. 

Self-employment is also a huge step to alleviate illegal migration. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to be self-employed is defined as earning income directly from one's own business, trade, or profession rather than as a specified salary or wages from an employer. It is often said that an idle hand is the devil's workshop. Youths who are not occupied with work constitute a large percentage of those that travel illegally. Being self-employed will curtail this illicit act. Usually, the question asked concerning being self-employed is how to get the initial capital to start a business. Funds could be sourced through cooperative societies, microfinance banks, families, and friends. This hurdle can be ricocheted by being a diligent and proficient youth. 

From a historical viewpoint, man has evolved from the hunter-gatherer age to the agrarian era, the industrial epoch, and finally, the information age. Youths can leverage the changes and opportunities that the information age offers; to increase the awareness of their business while they reach a larger audience. For illustration, website development creates great websites that capture a central business idea aesthetically pleasing and functional while deploying relevant social media strategies to improve sales. Professionals at a certain job like freelancers, graphics artists. Can pick up a job from websites like Upwork, freebies account, and get handsomely paid for a job well done and delivered on schedule. Several youths would also have to bury their pride and take up work referred to as a blue-collar job. Works like agriculture, which was once the mainstay of Nigeria's economy before the exploration of petroleum and oil wells. Subsistence farming could incite incentives from the government and ultimately lead to mechanized farming. These activities will keep youths busy and productive hence will prevent the thoughts and risks of illegal migration. 

Youths who desire to migrate should envisage it from the legal path and follow all due protocols. All necessary documents should be available; getting transcript, international passport. Scholarship programs and taking exams like GRE, IELTS/TOEFL will help a great deal. In the words of Luis Gutierrez, "We need legal migration as an alternative to illegal migration and a way of getting the millions of unauthorized immigrants already here to get legal and in compliance with our laws."