House of Reps reject motion to address migration of Nigerians

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a motion to address the migration of Nigerians to other countries.

Philip Agbese, a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue state, sponsored the motion.

The motion is titled: “Need to Declare Emigration of Young Nigerians Abroad AKA Japa Syndrome a National Emergency”.

Agbese said reports by African Polling Institute stated that 69 per cent of young Nigerians would relocate abroad if they have the opportunity.

He said the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 totalled 1.7 million — a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.

He posited that the “growing statistics” of young Nigerians relocating abroad portends a grave danger for the nation in many ways ranging from economic to intellectual and social aspects.

Agbese prayed the house to ask the federal government to convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively address the issue.

Also, he asked the house to declare a state of emergency on “the factors that predispose young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria in preference for other nations.”

However, when the motion, including the amendment, was put to a voice vote by, the speaker of the house, Tajudeen Abbas those against the motion outnumbered those in support.

Speaking after plenary, Agbese said he will rework the motion and represent it before the house.

He also thanked the speaker for giving lawmakers the opportunity to express their viewpoints on the matter.