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I was still a child the first time I heard of Canada. This was in 1995, during the
controversial execution of the Ogoni-born Nigerian activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, by
the then military government of late General Sani Abacha. Growing up in Abuja,
the newly installed seat of power, I, like many other young people, was quite
aware of the national burning issues.
At the time, Canada was one of the first countries to call for tough sanctions
against Nigeria, following the execution of Saro-Wiwa on November 10, 1995. I
sat with the adults to listen to the news on radio and observed keenly as they
discussed the hot issues of the day. The name, Canada, stuck in my young mind.
Thinking back now, I can understand why the country, which is also a member of
the Commonwealth of Nations as Nigeria, mounted pressure on the Nigerian
military government to make the transition to democracy.
Now that I am grown and have become a voice among a myriad of disadvantaged
citizens who yearn for awareness and information with which to enliven their
ecosystem and hold their government to account, I now appreciate the need for
deepening the diplomatic bond between Nigeria and Canada. If not for anything,
but for the simple reason that in trying to make our way back to where we began,
Canada could help us refocus the lens.
What history tells us is that during the military regimes in Nigeria, especially
between the late 1980s to early 1990s, there was an exodus of the middle-class
citizenry to the West, in search of a conducive and a more lucrative environment
to build their career. The interesting reality is that many of these migrants did not
return, unlike the set that travelled to study during the colonial era and at the
onset of independence, were really at the forefront of the campaign, not only to
entrench good governance, but to nip brain drain in the bud.
Today, we face a new monster. Because of its global reach, climate change is
worse than military rule. For instance, Lake Chad has shrunk to less than 10% of
its original 25,000 square km size, dislocating millions of citizens in communities
straddling Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria. It destroyed people’s livelihoods
and gave the insurgent Boko Haram a safe haven to operate from. Indeed,
combined with the carry-over strains of bad governance which had found its way
into our present democratic experience, the impact of climate change cannot be
underestimated. As a result, privileged citizens leave our shores in droves; while
the non-privileged struggle to emigrate, against all odds.
Interestingly, because of the prosperity the country enjoys, Canada has become
the top choice for emigration among Nigerians. Mid-year 2019, Nigeria had more
pending refugee protection claims in Canada than any other country globally.
Also, the number of Nigerian professionals applying for, and getting “express
entry” into the North American country has continued to balloon exponentially. In
2015, it was only 18 entrants, however, by 2017 it rose to 2,885.
The truth is that Nigeria and Canada need to align so as to prepare for the future
that is before us. Since the United States of America introduced harsher policies
for immigrants, it would be easier for Nigerian citizens to cross into a more
welcoming Canada. On the home front, as climate change hits our habitat,
citizens who can afford it will apply to emigrate to Canada. Yet, it is only a proper
diplomatic understanding that would ensure that these emigrants travel through
the regular channels and not become a burden to these Commonwealth nations.
As a developing country, Nigeria has known its fair share of teething
pain—military coup d’états, civil war, and juntas were our nemeses. Today,
because of climate change, our own natural habitat has become a glitch.
Those that used to farm ten hectares in the North of the country, cannot find
even three fertile hectares to sow their seed. The desert is taking over the living
quarters. In the South, the rivers are encroaching. According to statistic, over 270
communities have been deluged in the coastlines stretching from Badagry to
Bayelsa. Therefore, in my country today, climate refugees are moving downwards
from the North running away from dry land, while those from the coastal South
are moving upwards, away from their swamped habitats. Soon, we shall all meet
at the center!
Undeniably, as the country’s natural resources are shrinking, so are the fiscal
assets. I began my career as an activist in 2012 when I visited Bagega, in Zamfara
State. Today, the once peaceful Zamfara is no longer what it used to be. The
young farmers of the region who were exposed to artisanal mining suddenly
experienced a short-lived prosperity. When the opportunities provided by gold-
processing diminished, some of them could not cope with meagre incomes any
longer, and then resorted to cattle rustling, kidnapping and banditry.
It is in finding the balance between shrinking resources and a growing population
that Follow The Money movement was born. We recognize that it is the younger
generation who is always eager to try new things, and seek out opportunities in
new frontiers. With the added tools provided by Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), young people are the first to know what is across the borders,
and link up with fellow young citizens in far-flung regions. The challenge has
always been in making a change within one’s local community, one step at a time.
From my experience in the field, I am positive that the African youth is ready for
leadership, but the question is, do we know the magnitude of this leadership? My
opinion is that in assisting the developing world to face the future, no one should
overlook Nigeria. My country holds the key to igniting a continental climate action
in Africa, and also mainstreaming the crucial tenets to ensure a cross-cultural
cooperation going forward.
More importantly, given that we have barely 11 years to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, the teeming Nigerian youth population must
be honed to become a driving force in achieving the Global Agenda. They need to
be provided with skills and opportunities needed to reach their potential, support
development and contribute to peace and security. With a proper focus in
achieving Goal 4, aids and diplomatic support systems could help the government
structure sustainable templates for workable migration and technical exchanges.
In the final analysis, not every Nigerian youth wants the easy way out. When my
team and I started the #SaveBagegga campaign in 2012, we were approached by
an international non-profit, The Indigo Trust, who offered us funding so we could
expand our project. When we received the 9,648 pounds, there was this
temptation to share the money among us—have a good time and abandon our
project. But we did not succumb to pressure.
I believe that what we eventually achieved represents the story of millions of
other Nigerian youths. Yes, many of us seek a bridge to cross, but we seek not the
crooked way. We are young people waiting for sustainable platforms and support
systems through which to engage the world, and become part of the solution to
emerging global challenges.
Hamzat Lawal is an activist and currently the Founder/Chief Executive of Connected Development
[CODE]. He is working to mobilize young people and build the largest social accountability grassroots
movement of citizen-led actions through Follow The Money for better service delivery in rural hard to
reach communities in Africa.
