When War Feels Safer: The Silent Message From Nigerians In Lebanon, by Isaac Asabor

In the midst of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon has become an increasingly unsafe place to live. Explosions, airstrikes, and the looming threat of a wider war have cast a shadow of fear over the region. In such a situation, one would expect that Nigerians residing in Lebanon would be eager to flee, to seek safety in the comfort of their homeland. Yet, the reality on the ground tells a far different, more concerning story.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, despite the ongoing violence, only about 500 Nigerians out of the over 2,000 living in Lebanon have registered for evacuation. This puzzling hesitancy to return home reveals a disturbing truth: for many Nigerians abroad, the idea of returning to Nigeria is less appealing than remaining in a country on the brink of war. This reality speaks volumes about the dire economic and social conditions in Nigeria, and it should serve as a wake-up call to the Nigerian government.

Nigerians are scattered across the globe in search of better opportunities, driven by a variety of reasons including economic hardship, insecurity, and the hope for a brighter future. Lebanon, with its relatively affordable cost of living and job opportunities in domestic work, has long been a destination for many Nigerians, particularly women. However, the economic crisis in Lebanon, exacerbated by the 2019 financial meltdown and political instability, has made life increasingly difficult. The current Israel-Hezbollah conflict only adds to the layers of uncertainty. Yet, even with all these crises in Lebanon, many Nigerians remain reluctant to return home.

Why would someone choose to stay in a country riddled with economic hardship and war rather than return to their homeland? The answer, unfortunately, lies in the grim realities of life in Nigeria today.

It is no more news that the Nigerian economy is in a state of disarray, unarguably resulting from years of mismanagement, corruption, and misguided policies have left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive. Inflation is at record highs, making even the most basic necessities, food, shelter, and healthcare, out of reach for many. The price of food continues to soar, leaving families unable to afford even a single meal a day. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the inflation rate in Nigeria reached 25.8% in August 2023, the highest in 18 years. For many Nigerians, this level of inflation means choosing between eating and paying for other essentials like transportation, healthcare, or school fees for their children.

Unemployment is another significant challenge. Nigeria’s unemployment rate stands at over 33%, and the situation is particularly dire for young people, many of whom feel disillusioned and hopeless. Despite having university degrees and professional qualifications, many Nigerian youth cannot find jobs, and those who do are often severely underpaid. The country’s lack of job opportunities pushes many to seek better prospects abroad, even if it means working in less-than-ideal conditions.

Insecurity also plays a significant role. Violent insurgencies in the northern regions, banditry in the northwest, and ongoing conflicts between herdsmen and farmers have left many parts of the country unsafe. For those living in rural or conflict-prone areas, returning to Nigeria may mean stepping back into a life where violence is a daily threat.

It is within this broader context that the reluctance of Nigerians in Lebanon to return home must be understood. For many, returning to Nigeria is not simply about escaping the violence in Lebanon but about facing the even greater economic and social challenges awaiting them at home.

At the heart of Nigeria’s problems is a failure of governance. Successive administrations have promised to improve the economy, create jobs, and address insecurity, but these promises have largely gone unfulfilled. Corruption remains rampant, with billions of dollars lost to government officials and cronies who exploit the system for personal gain. Infrastructure development has stagnated, with electricity supply still unreliable and roads in deplorable conditions. These failures create a ripple effect throughout the economy, stifling business growth, discouraging investment, and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

While the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged reforms and interventions, there is still a long way to go before ordinary Nigerians feel the impact. Efforts such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the push for agricultural investments have not yet alleviated the immediate suffering of the masses. For many Nigerians abroad, the message is clear: returning home means returning to a country still struggling to provide the basics of life, let alone offer hope for a better future.

Beyond the economic and physical challenges, there is also a mental and emotional toll that life in Nigeria exacts on its citizens. The daily grind of survival in a country where infrastructure is broken, security is questionable, and opportunities are limited wears people down. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress are increasingly common but often go undiagnosed or untreated due to the stigma surrounding mental illness and the lack of adequate healthcare services.

For Nigerians in Lebanon, many of whom are domestic workers, life is no bed of roses. Yet, the decision to stay put, even in the face of war, reflects the sense that returning home would mean trading one kind of hardship for another, perhaps even worse. The uncertainty of life in Nigeria, with its erratic power supply, expensive cost of living, and limited social safety nets, leaves many to conclude that even a war zone offers better prospects.

The reluctance of Nigerians in Lebanon to return home should not be dismissed as mere stubbornness or fear of the unknown. Rather, it should be understood as a reflection of the current state of Nigeria, a country that has, for too many of its citizens, ceased to offer hope or security.

The Nigerian government must take urgent action to address the underlying issues driving this exodus of its citizens. The solution is not merely in providing palliatives or short-term fixes, but in creating sustainable economic policies that stimulate job growth, improve infrastructure, and ensure security. Education, healthcare, and social welfare systems need overhauling to provide citizens with the tools they need to thrive.

Nigeria’s leaders must also tackle corruption with renewed vigor. For too long, the country’s resources have been siphoned off by a privileged few, leaving the majority of Nigerians to struggle. Greater transparency, accountability, and the rule of law are essential if Nigeria is to rebuild trust in its institutions and create a brighter future for its people.

Nigerians in Lebanon are sending a powerful, albeit silent, message. Their decision to stay in a country on the brink of war rather than return home should serve as a clarion call to the government. Nigeria must be made a place where its citizens feel safe, secure, and hopeful for the future. Until that happens, the exodus will continue, and the tragedy of Nigeria’s brain drain, along with the loss of its skilled labor force, will only worsen.

The task ahead for the Nigerian government is daunting, but it is not insurmountable. By addressing the root causes of the economic crisis, tackling insecurity, and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure, Nigeria can once again become a place where its citizens feel proud to live, work, and thrive. Until then, the sad reality remains that for many Nigerians abroad, even in conflict zones, returning home does not feel like a viable option.