Revealed: How Nigerians In Diaspora Are Responsible for Bad Governance

As Nigerians, we have a sacred tradition. It’s not about jollof rice wars or arguing over who has the best suya (spoiler: it’s my favorite vendor). No, our time-honored custom is blaming someone for our country’s woes. And guess what? We’ve found the perfect scapegoat: Nigerians living abroad.

Yes, folks, the Nigerians in the diaspora are the reason for all Nigeria problems! Did you see them in New York on October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence Day, dancing to Afrobeats like they had zero concerns about the hardships back home?

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What nerve!

“Why una no go celebrate as una don escape poverty”

“We in Nigeria are battling bad roads, poor healthcare, and fuel scarcity, those expatriates were out there gyrating and blasting music”. “Have they no shame?

But wait, let’s pause for a second. Before you grab your pitchforks and torches, let’s examine this situation with a bit of satire, humor, and perhaps—dare I say—perspective.

The Exodus of the Innocents: The Bonny M Effect

Watching those Nigerians dancing in New York, I was reminded of a song we used to sing as kids by Boney M—”By the Rivers of Babylon.”

You know, the one that goes:

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.
Yeah, we wept when we remembered Zion.
They carried us away in captivity, requiring of us a song,
But how can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

I couldn’t help but see the connection between the biblical Israelites and Nigerians in the diaspora. Both groups, displaced from their homelands, forced to live in foreign lands.

The Israelites, like us, were asked to sing in captivity. But like the song asks, how can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

Well, apparently, Nigerians in New York found a way! And it’s causing quite a stir on social media back home.

They Are to Blame for Everything

Let’s just get straight to the point: Nigerians abroad are responsible for Nigeria’s bad governance. You heard me right. They are the reason bad policies are made. They even encourage the politicians to steal from the treasury. In fact, rumor has it they personally voted these politicians into office!

And don’t even get me started on crime, insecurity, and bad roads. You think those potholes just appeared on their own? Wrong! It’s the diaspora’s fault. How dare they live abroad in peace while we’re stuck here dodging potholes the size of swimming pools?

The truth is, politicians are merely puppets. The real string-pullers are Nigerians living abroad. The average politician doesn’t want to steal money, no! But Nigerians abroad whisper sweet nothings into their ears: “Take that bribe! Build that mansion in Dubai! Who needs functioning hospitals anyway?”

Meanwhile, in Reality…

Now that we’ve established the absurdity of blaming diasporans for our problems, let’s look at the actual situation. While it’s easy to get angry at those Nigerians dancing in New York, many don’t realize that these same Nigerians abroad are casualties too. They may look happy in those videos, but behind the scenes, many of them are supporting entire families back home with the little they earn.

That’s right. The diaspora remittances sent back to Nigeria are no joke. According to reports, diasporan remittances rank second only to oil in contributing to Nigeria’s economy. According to the World Bank, remittances in 2022 reached $21 billion, providing crucial support to the economy. We’re talking about billions of dollars flowing back into the country each year—and that’s on top of paying rent and bills in foreign countries. These funds help keep countless families afloat, especially when the Nigerian economy falters.

Fun Fact: Diasporans Keep Nigeria’s Economy Going

While we’re busy shouting about the bad roads, it’s important to remember that diasporans are actually doing something about the state of the country. They’re setting up businesses that employ Nigerians. They’re funding hospitals. They’re conducting free medical outreaches in communities that our politicians have chosen to neglect.

Ever wonder how some of those rural community projects get funded?

I’ll give you a hint: it’s not through government grants. It’s the Nigerians living abroad who send money back home to build houses, sponsor education, and develop their communities. They are literally building the country—one remittance at a time.

Meanwhile, some of the same people who are quick to bash them for “celebrating” abroad are the ones calling and begging them to send money.

The Hypocrisy Is Real

Let’s face it, the criticism of diasporans dancing on Independence Day is more than a little hypocritical. The same people blasting them for celebrating are also the ones who will later be in their DMs asking for help to pay school fees, medical bills, or rent.

And guess what? These Nigerians abroad will continue to help, despite the complaints. Why? Because they care about their families and their country. They’re not living lavishly, as some may think. They’re just doing what they can to survive in a foreign land while helping those they left behind.

If anything, we should be celebrating them! Without their contributions, many families would be in even worse economic straits, and the government would have to work even harder to ignore its responsibilities.

What About the Politicians?

Ah, yes, our beloved politicians. Surely they must be innocent in all of this. I mean, if Nigerians abroad didn’t force them to steal public funds, who would? These poor politicians are just minding their business, trying to lead the country with integrity. It’s those pesky diasporans making them do bad things, right?

Wrong.

The blame for Nigeria’s problems doesn’t lie with Nigerians abroad who are working tirelessly to support their families and communities. It lies with the people in power who consistently prioritize personal gain over public service. The fact that diasporans feel the need to fund community projects in the first place is a clear indictment of the political system.

Conclusion: Let’s Stop the Nonsense

In conclusion, while it’s easy to point fingers at the Nigerians living abroad, let’s not forget that they are just as much victims of the system as we are. If anything, they are contributing more to the survival and development of the country than many of us here in Nigeria.

Instead of blaming them for dancing on Independence Day, we should be thanking them for the billions they send home, the businesses they fund, and the lives they help improve. If we’re going to blame anyone, let’s blame the system that forces them to leave Nigeria in the first place.

So, next time you see a video of diasporans celebrating abroad, remember: they’re not dancing because they’ve forgotten the problems at home. They’re dancing because, despite everything, they still believe in Nigeria. And that’s something worth celebrating.