A Nigerian senator has publicly criticized the country's immigration service. He says the service is failing to stop desperate citizens from dangerous trips abroad. These journeys often end in tragedy or prison. Senator Ned Nwoko issued this strong critique in a recent interview. He spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.
Nwoko represents the Delta North Senatorial District. He also leads the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation. He placed direct blame on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). He also criticized Nigerian embassies overseas. He said they do not perform necessary checks on travelers. This failure, he argued, allows people with bad intentions or no plans to leave. These individuals then become problems in other countries.
The lawmaker explained the current situation. He said many Nigerians want to leave the country for better opportunities. This desire is common. But it does not excuse the lack of proper screening. He said some travelers are only focused on making money. They do not care how they do it or what job they find. Others leave with no clear plan for their future. They simply believe any life abroad is better than life at home.
These travelers often become destitute abroad, Nwoko said. They sometimes break laws and end up in foreign prisons. Their actions create a bad image for Nigeria internationally. The senator described their mindset as "anyway is a way." This means they are willing to try anything to survive overseas. He said the NIS and embassies must be more deliberate in their work. They need to carry out due diligence on every citizen traveling out of Nigeria.
The senator's comments come amid growing concern over illegal migration. Many Nigerians risk their lives on desert routes and the Mediterranean Sea. They seek to reach Europe. The International Organization for Migration reports many deaths each year. Others are trapped in slavery-like conditions in North Africa. Those who succeed in leaving illegally often face harsh conditions abroad.
Experts on migration agree with parts of the senator's assessment. They say the root causes of migration are complex. Poverty and a lack of jobs push young people to leave. But they also note that border control is a key part of the solution. A security analyst based in Lagos said the NIS faces major challenges. The official, who asked not to be named, said corruption is a problem. Some officers accept bribes to let people pass through borders without checks.
The analyst also pointed to a lack of resources. Immigration officers at busy airports and land borders are often overworked. They do not have advanced technology to spot fake travel documents. This makes it hard to stop everyone with bad intentions. The Nigerian government has tried to address the issue before. Programs to warn about the dangers of illegal travel exist. But their effect has been limited.
The Nigerian Immigration Service has not yet issued a formal response. An official from the service said they are reviewing the senator's statements. The official noted that the NIS has a difficult job. They must balance the right to travel with the need for national security. They also work with international partners to track human trafficking rings.
Data from the United Nations supports the scale of the problem. Nigeria is one of the top source countries for migrants entering Europe illegally. Thousands of Nigerians are currently held in prisons across Europe and the Middle East. Their crimes often involve drug trafficking or overstaying their visas. The situation has hurt Nigeria's diplomatic relations with some nations.
The issue of illegal migration is a sensitive topic in Nigeria. Many families have lost loved ones on the journey. The government is under pressure to create more jobs at home. This is seen as the only long-term solution. Until then, the flow of desperate migrants will likely continue. Senator Nwoko's call for action highlights the urgent need for a better system. He wants a system that protects both the citizens and the country's reputation.