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Bernard Bankole, president of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has told BDSunday that in the last one year, travel agencies operating in Nigeria have seen over 30percent increase in ticket sales to Canada.
Bankole who didn’t give specific number of tickets sold to Canada said most visited destinations are Europe and North America (America and Canada). He said travellers mostly go through America and Europe into Canada since American border to Canada is not so tight as a result of the absence of economic threat.
The president of NANTA who expressed worry over the fact that there are almost two million Nigerians in Canada explained that the influx of Nigerians to Canada is as a result of the hardship.
“The economic environment is not favourable. In the past we see the downtrodden, bricklayers, carpenter and other low level people running to abroad for a greener pasture. However, what we are seeing now is the middle class that was created during President Obasanjo’s era are also running to Canada.
“During Obasanjo’s era, people were coming from Abroad to Nigeria to find jobs. That was when we had telecoms upsurge. Sadly, people are now moving back to Canada because it is easier to get citizenship and papers. Canada’s weather has not been so friendly but Nigerians don’t mind to endure.
“In those areas that are very cold, there are job opportunities. Another reason for this increase is coupled with the fact that America became tougher with the immigration rules,” he said.
Ikechi Uko, a travel expert told BDSunday that Canada is next to America, considering job opportunities and good economy, adding that if people can’t get American visa, they choose Canada.
According to Uko, “Canada has a much more conducive environment for immigrants and they have huge land mass and a small population. So, they need to populate their country but they choose who comes in. They are recreating their country, there is a policy and they are following that plan.”
He explained that anytime there is a collapse of the economy, the young people move out, stating that the same trend happened during Babaginda and Abacha’s time. “Now we are having a large number moving out because of the collapse of the economy. Once people went abroad in the 1960s and 1970s, they went to school but now most people are going for greener pastures.
“Canada has the best immigration system now that favours Nigerians. Canada is looking for musicians, journalists and people of different capacities. A lot of Nigerians meet the standard of what they are expecting.”
There are over 11,000 students from Nigeria are currently studying in Canadian colleges and universities.
Experts have expressed concerns that with the recent influx of Nigerians, it will not take a long time for Nigerians to gain more significant numbers. Analysts say the Nigerian population will get more significant in a few years. And if the current influx is not checked, the Nigerian population in Canada can triple in a few months.
Many children depart Nigeria at ages between 14 and 17 years to access pre-university education and then proceed to develop careers in Canadian universities and colleges. Others go straight to the universities and colleges after secondary education in Nigeria. Yet many others are going for postgraduate programmes, which guarantee postgraduate work permits (PGWP).
