Special Assistant to the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Ondo State Command, Alebiosu Goodwill Taiwo, has cautioned Nigerian youths against embarking on irregular migration.
He described the migration as a dangerous venture that exposes them to abuse, exploitation and in many cases, death.
Alebiosu, who is also the immediate past Public Relations Officer of the command, delivered the warning while speaking virtually on a social group, Yemiefash Family, on the topic: “Ills of Irregular Migration Among Youths.”
He noted that in the last two decades, Nigeria has witnessed a massive exodus of its youths to Europe, America, Canada, and other countries through illegal routes such as the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.
According to him, some young Nigerians wrongly believe they cannot succeed unless they leave the country, regardless of the destination.
Quoting the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Alebiosu explained that irregular migration refers to “movement that takes place outside the regulatory norms of a country.”
He observed that most Nigerian youths who embark on this journey use the central Mediterranean route through Niger and Libya before attempting to cross into Europe.
He identified unemployed youths, fresh graduates, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as those most prone to irregular migration, driven by push factors such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and poor economic conditions. Pull factors, he said, include higher wages, better job prospects, political stability, and improved living conditions abroad.
The immigration officer listed the dangers associated with irregular migration to include slavery, rape, kidnapping, detention, forced prostitution, piracy, organ harvesting, and lifelong trauma.
He lamented that while many embark on the journey with high hopes, only a few ever reach their destinations.
Alebiosu urged youths seeking opportunities abroad to explore legal migration pathways such as family visas, student visas, work permits, and investment visas.
He stressed the need for government to tackle the root causes of irregular migration by investing in education, skills development, start-up support, and youth inclusion in governance.
“To effectively combat the menace of irregular migration in our youths, war must be waged on the root causes,” he said, calling for a collective effort to provide sustainable opportunities at home.