Nigeria is a country that has made a lot of headlines in recent years due to the issue of illegal immigration.

Many people from Nigeria have found themselves forced to leave their country in search of a better future, often crossing the desert and the Mediterranean in extremely precarious conditions.

The causes of illegal immigration from Nigeria are multiple. Among these, one of the main ones is the economic situation of the country, characterized by high unemployment and a high poverty rate. Additionally, Nigeria has been hit by severe internal conflicts, such as the one between the Christian and Muslim communities in the northern part of the country.

In recent years, Nigerian authorities have sought to combat illegal immigration through the introduction of tougher laws. In 2018, the Nigerian government adopted the Prohibition of Illegal Migration Law, which provides for sanctions for those who attempt to enter or leave the country illegally.

Furthermore, the government has collaborated with the African Union and the European Union to address the problem of illegal immigration. In particular, the “Better Migration Management” (BMM) project has been launched, which aims to improve migration management and promote the protection of migrants.

Despite these efforts, illegal immigration from Nigeria continues to be a very serious problem. In 2020, for example, over 13,000 Nigerians landed in Italy, becoming the second largest national group in terms of arrivals after Tunisians.

The Nigerian government has declared that it intends to intensify the fight against illegal immigration, increasing border surveillance and strengthening identity document checks. However, many observers argue that these measures will not be sufficient to solve the problem in the long term.

In conclusion, illegal immigration from Nigeria represents a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. While the Nigerian government and international organizations are working to address this problem, it will likely continue to be a challenge in the years to come. Additionally, the countries receiving these immigrants, such as Italy, must also take action to manage immigration in a way that is both humane and effective.

Here are some statistics on Nigerian immigrants in Italy:

• According to the Italian Ministry of Interior, as of January 2020, there were over 373,000 Nigerian citizens living in Italy, making them the second largest immigrant group in the country after Romanians.
• In 2019, over 21,000 Nigerian migrants arrived in Italy by sea, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This represented the largest number of arrivals from any single country that year.
• The majority of Nigerian migrants in Italy are young adults between the ages of 18 and 34, and are often highly educated. However, they face significant challenges in finding employment and integrating into Italian society, which can lead to poverty and social exclusion.
• According to a 2020 report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Nigerian women make up a significant proportion of Nigerian migrants in Italy, with many being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. In fact, Nigerian women represented the largest group of identified victims of trafficking in Italy in 2019.
• In terms of asylum applications, Nigerians made up the second largest group of applicants in Italy in 2020, with over 5,500 applications filed. However, only a small percentage of these applications are approved.

These statistics highlight the challenges faced by Nigerian migrants in Italy, including issues of social and economic integration, exploitation and trafficking, and the difficulties of obtaining legal status.