Nigeria: Why more young Nigerians Abroad are returning home

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

For many Nigerians, life in the diaspora has long been seen as the ultimate dream. Families often sell valuable property or run into debt just to send one person abroad, believing that their success will lift everyone out of poverty. In many communities, simply having a relative overseas is considered a badge of wealth and progress.

But a surprising shift is happening. More young Nigerians living abroad are choosing to return home—even with Nigeria’s economic challenges. Many of these returnees say they no longer feel connected to life overseas and struggle with issues such as depression, anxiety, financial pressure, school difficulties, and visa problems.

Miss Brenda Osarumwense, who recently returned to Nigeria, shared her experience. She said it once took her 42 weeks to get a medical appointment abroad. Even when her situation felt serious, she was only offered basic pain medication until she finally saw a doctor. When she was eventually diagnosed with anxiety and depression, she decided she had had enough.

According to her, the long work hours, constant bills, and pressure to keep up made life overwhelming. “The best thing is to go there, make your money, and return home to invest,” she said.

Students abroad are also opting to come back sooner than expected. Miss Ruth Onifade, a student preparing to graduate, said she has no intention of staying back after her studies. “I miss home already. I can’t spend my whole life here. Yes, you can succeed if you work hard, but the stress and depression are real,” she said. She described the loneliness of living abroad, where people must rely solely on themselves and God, unlike Nigeria’s communal lifestyle.

A diaspora resident, Mr. Lucky Igbafe, explained that many students who fail their courses are required to return home and reapply. Meanwhile, other young returnees often hold foreign citizenship or have already qualified for certain benefits, which makes it easy for them to move back and forth. Some return with enough savings to start businesses or invest.

Still, he encouraged those who have opportunities abroad to take them, especially when it could secure a better future for their families.

Another Nigerian abroad, Mrs. Helen Jegede, said many young people are forced to return because their visas expire and they struggle to renew them. Students on scholarships who cannot afford visa costs simply return home after their academic sessions. According to her, even non-students find it increasingly difficult to handle the cost of living overseas.

She added that it used to be mostly older people who retired back to Nigeria after decades abroad. But now, it is common to see young people—married or single—heading home within just a few years. Some stay abroad for seven or eight years before returning, while others last less than two.