Nigerians living abroad have been cautioned to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions capable of denting the country’s image.
Michael Oladimeji from Ibadan, in a letter to the Nigerian Tribune, expressed concern over reports of misconduct by some Nigerians in the diaspora, warning that such behaviour fuels hostility in host countries.
He cited the recent case of a Nigerian in Ghana who styled himself as “Eze Ndigbo of Ghana,” sparking outrage from the Ghanaian authorities.
“The man was arrested, ordered to demolish the building where the title was inscribed, and directed to leave the country.”
Oladimeji also referenced an Igbo leader in China who had publicly warned Nigerians there to desist from “nefarious activities” to avoid possible repatriation.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians abroad, especially medical doctors in the United States, had earned respect for their professionalism, he lamented that others continued to tarnish the nation’s image.
He added that Nigerians had often been victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, a situation he claimed to have personally witnessed in Johannesburg.
“The economic situation in Nigeria is indeed challenging, but it’s essential for citizens to behave responsibly wherever they are,” Oladimeji stressed.
He further urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigeria’s economic challenges in order to reduce the rising trend of youth migration, popularly known as the Japa syndrome.
