...But Why are Nigerians in Their Thousands Migrating to South Africa, a Fellow African Nation?... This Research Answers The Question

By May Abbi

I just did a quick research on South Africa. For days or weeks I've been wondering what's special about South Africa that almost every African country has their nationals in South Africa more than any other country in the African continent. My instinct was telling me that there's something special that's attracting people from other African countries, especially Nigeria and Ghana, to South Africa.

Look, South Africa is not the United States of America. South Africa is not the United Kingdom. Again, South Africa is not United Arabs Emirate, it is not Canada neither is it Qatar or Japan or Germany or even Belgium. But Africans are migrating heavily to South Africa. The question is 'why'? In fact why should somebody migrate from Nigeria that is proudly called the giant of Africa to South Africa?

My instinct and quest to find out pushed me to begin a deep research on the attraction to South Africa. South Africa only has a population of 62 million people. Ghana has a population of 35 million people. But Nigeria has over 200 million people. So, what's special about South Africa. Why should I, a proud Nigerian, abandon my beautiful country, borrow money, sell my property, and migrate to South Africa?

Look at me very well. I do not like what South Africa is doing to black foreigners in their midst. I'm one of the biggest critics of the ongoing Xenophobic violence in the country. Yes, we are Africans and we need to show pan Africanism. We need to love each other and live as one. If Americans, Europeans are discriminating against us, we should not discriminate against ourselves. No country can survive on its own without relating with other countries.

Now, let's come back to the issue on ground. Why are Africans migrating en-masse to South Africa? I've been reading the figures, watching the videos, seeing the photos of migrants leaving South Africa in droves. Some with little children. They are in their thousands. They are mostly from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and a few others. It seems baffling that such a huge number could leave their countries and move to another country for almost permanent residence where they know they have no complete fundamental human rights.

Then, something must be wrong somewhere and right in another place. Yes, there must be a problem somewhere and in the quest of seeking solution they move to another place where they think there's solution. That must be the reason for the massive influx of migrants to South Africa. Look, if my mother's soup is very sweet, I will never develop interest in another child mother's soup.

Now, I did a research to ascertain the attraction of Nigerians, especially, to South Africa. I felt pained at the results that popped up for me. I couldn't imagine that Nigeria is giant of Africa only by population and not by economic indices, employment power, industrialization, infrastructure and security. I find out that Nigerians are more in South Africa than South Africans in Nigeria. Yes, if we, Nigerians, carry out a Xenophobic move against South Africans and ask those in Nigeria to leave as some are already agitating, you will find out the number of South Africans in Nigeria will not be up to one third of Nigerians in South Africa.

My research shows that South Africa has continued to hold its position as one of Africa's most industrialized and diversified economies in the entire Africa continent. Africa has 54 countries, the research shows that out of the 54 nations in the continent, it is the most industrialized and developed among them all. This is despite their low population compared to Nigeria. It has more job opportunities because of its industrialization.

I once anchored a podcast on Emerald Tv, a channel on YouTube. My colleague on the other side said what a child can see sitting, an old man cannot see it standing. The statement sounds contrary to the popular view that what an old can see sitting a child cannot see it while standing. Nigeria is standing gidigba as the giant of Africa in terms of population but South Africa, a smaller country of 62 million people, has gone far in terms of industrialization and infrastructure than a 200 million population of Nigeria.

Another push for other Africans moving to South Africa is that unlike many resource-dependent economies, South Africa benefits from a balanced economic structure driven by manufacturing, services, agriculture, and mining. The country is reportedly home to Africa's most advanced manufacturing sector, producing everything from automobiles and steel to chemicals and processed foods.

My research further shows that key industries such as automotive manufacturing, gold and diamond mining, finance, and agriculture have helped make South Africa a major economic powerhouse and an important gateway to the Southern African market. With this, there is a pool of job opportunities for migrants. This is why as jobs fail in their countries, some sell properties and find their way to South Africa.

My research also shows that compared to other 53 African nations, the country has economic opportunities, infrastructure and social services that are difficult to get in any other country in the continent. South Africa has one of the largest economies in Africa, hence migrants believe that there are better opportunities there than their weak countries. It is believed that low skilled jobs in South Africa offer higher pay than skilled jobs in their home countries, hence they can get pay that can sustain them there and their families in their home countries.

It is also believed that there are better roads, larger cities, more developed banking system, better telecommunications, more universities, and more and better equipped hospitals in South Africa. A fellow Nigerian friend was to go to South Africa for PhD program before his wife got a deal in the United States and they moved to America a few years ago.

Some of Africa's best universities are also in South Africa. My research also indicates that University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch University have students from across Africa who travel to the country for higher education.

For many Africans who migrate to South Africa, the comparison is not between South Africa and Europe or North America, the comparison is between South Africa and conditions in their home countries, that is Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and others.

If someone cannot find work in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, or parts of Central Africa, South Africa may still appear to offer the best chance to earn an income, start a business, or build a better future and enjoy life to the fullest.

In short, South Africa's attraction is that it remains one of the most developed, urbanized, and economically diverse countries in Africa, making it a major destination for people seeking work, education, safety, and business opportunities.

But back here in Nigeria, one of the biggest challenges is that of insecurity. Kidnapping and banditry have become one of the biggest threats to life in the country. No one can tell who will be the next victim of kidnapping in Nigeria. People fear to travel on road. Whether long or short distance, people are afraid because the kidnappers are everywhere in Nigeria. In years back, it was the rich they kidnap but now anybody can be kidnapped whether rich or poor.

Nigerian hospitals are dire straits. Most of them lack qualified medical doctors and nurses. In fact the biggest challenge in the medical profession in Nigeria right now is the japa syndrome. Most of them after graduation work for a short while, save money and move out of the country to countries they think value their services. There they have higher pay, better working environment and the regard for their profession.

One of the most appalling concern is Nigeria leaders, from president to senators, governors, ministers and other highly placed Nigerians traveling abroad for treatment when ill. This is disturbing. How can a president of a country, a governor of a state, a senator or a minister travel from his country to another for treatment? What message is such leaving for the people?

It's time we woke up in Nigeria and change our nation. We cannot continue like this. South Africa is receiving plenty migrants who are draining their social services because the economy is better. If Nigeria were better there would have been no need for Nigerians to migrate to South Africa. The political thieves in Nigeria are too many.