Looking up in admiration, the sky is blue, it looks cold, it feels cold as though it might rain, but seeing isn’t exactly reality (one thing this journey has taught me) because, in reality, I am surrounded by dryness. Just if I can taste a drop of water. No! I know better than to hope. It has been six days since my travel group dropped me. Six days without water, maybe six more days until my demise, who knows...?

It is common knowledge that many Nigerians risks their lives by attempting to migrate illegally to Europe via Libya, dreaming of success, dreaming of living the abroad life. Putting it simply, living in European countries like France, UK and Germany can be seen as luxurious, at least when compared to the average living conditions in Nigeria- basic amenities, health programmes, quality education, good road networks amongst others. In reality, this so-called “luxurious” lifestyle cannot be enjoyed by young Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly to Europe.

Attempting to migrate illegally is like signing a death sentence. Although it isn’t entirely fair to say this, it seems to be the case. Nigerians who travelled through Sahara and into Libya experienced or witnessed at least a murder, kidnapping, detention and physical abuse. Those who make it to Europe are often deported as they do not have the right to stay. Most live in fear of deportation all through their stay in Europe, risk loss of income, access to economic and social rights as well as benefits of education and health systems are denied by host countries.

Most illegal migrants are exposed to xenophobia attacks, human right violation, racism, become easy prey of organ harvesters and human traffickers.

In trying to cross The Mediterranean Sea, a lot of migrants often die many of whom are Nigerians. Illegal Migrants are separated from their families and some starve on the sea. They also loose their properties and valuables on the sea. Is migrating to Europe worth dying or having a near-death experience? If young Nigerians are aware of the risks involved in illegal migration, why do they still choose to migrate illegally? Maybe they are not so aware. When you ask the average Nigerian why migrating to Europe and sometimes North America seems so important to them, you get replies like “to find a greener pasture, to seek and live a better life”

They hope to flourish in a greener pasture whereas the machinery and tools intended for cultivation (themselves) have been burnt when they choose to migrate to their destination illegally. Generally, elements like “just because” or “what if” fuels young Nigerian migrants’ decisions. Just because they have nothing to lose, what if I migrate successfully? And if I don’t, I might just as well return home. It becomes a matter of hope and prayers. Uncertainty begins to cloud their judgements, uncertainty gives them hope, and uncertainty gives them a little bit of assurance that their risky journey might be successful

There is a saying that “If you want to do something, do it the right way.”awareness programs of the dangers involved in migrating illegally and promoting legal migration as an alternative option to those who really want to migrate need to be enforced . Young Nigerians attempting to travel or travel illegally because they think legal migration is way expensive than illegal migration but the irony is;

according to an article I once came across while surfing the internet, typical smuggles request for 1000 Euros to 6000 Euros to smuggle young Nigerians into Europe. In reality, when they begin their journey, this always tends to increase as they are mostly robbed or kidnapped by bandits on their way, extorted by their smugglers and desert drivers eventually increasing the total cost to about 5 to 6 times the initial agreed-upon fee. On the other hand, it costs about 10,000 Euros to migrate legally to Europe- documentation and visa fee inclusive.

As a Nigerian looking to travel legally to Europe or other countries, there are quite a number of legal ways to do so. From international student scholarship programs to United Nations sponsored programs, MasterCard scholarship foundation and the list goes

Student Visas- Nigerian Students that has been accepted to study in European universities can apply for student visas that can enable them work, learn and travel freely in Europe. There are actually some cheap universities (though they are not top universities) to study in Europe that are cheaper than trying to migrate illegally. If as a Nigerian, your aim is just migration, rather that choosing the illegal way, you can apply to study for really easy course in these very cheap universities. It is just like catching two fishes with a single hook.

It can be said that the general reason why young Nigerians migrate illegally is related to economic situations, one way to curb or reduce illegal migration is for the society to support entrepreneurship and innovations. Why? Because entrepreneurship strengthens the economy by creating jobs and improving the standard of living. young Nigerian youths should be groomed into starting their own business

The World Bank supports a Nigeria youth and social support operation that increases access to livelihoods for poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This operation helps in training Nigerian youths and grooming them into creating enterprises that impact their communities and environment.

If as a Nigerian, migrating seems as your only option, you should do it legally 😊

Now that I think about it, I don’t know why I embarked on this journey, I don’t know why I didn’t use my savings to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a livestock farmer. If only I had used my brain these past few months as I have used it this past few days. Better to be called a farmer than to die in the desert. I try to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come anymore. I wish I can restart the last six months of my life but I know better than to wish, for wishing isn’t reality, the reality is that I have been left for dead.

Ps. The two paragraphs in italics in this article are fictional, I created it to support the article and the latter concludes the former.

All photos are from unsplash.com