What is the best country to migrate to from Nigeria? Top 10 favourable destinations

Many Nigerians are considering migration for better job prospects and higher wages. Others may want to experience new cultures, languages, and lifestyles. Regardless of your reason for migration, you might ask yourself—what is the best country to migrate to from Nigeria? Discover the top destinations any Nigerian can easily discover a new place to call home. Mishcah Karriem, an Immigration Consultant at New World Immigration, shares insights on migration trends for Nigerians, spanning job opportunities, visa requirements, and social welfare benefits.

When compiling this list of the best countries to migrate to from Nigeria, we considered factors such as immigration policies, language, cost of living, job availability, etc. However, this list can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, preferences, and goals.

Factors Nigerians consider when migrating to other countries

Mishcah Karriem, an Immigration Consultant at New World Immigration, explained in an interview the top factors Nigerians consider when choosing a country to migrate to. She mentioned:

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Economic structures

According to Mishcah, several socioeconomic factors in Nigeria are hindering Nigerians from reaching their full potential in the workforce, which drives them to seek countries with better economic structures. She explained:

They choose countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, etc. When selecting countries to migrate to, I've seen that they look at the availability of jobs, salary expectations, and cost of living.

Visa and immigration processing time

Mishcah said Nigerians also tend to sort countries with ease of obtaining visa and residency permits. She said:

The UK, for example, is big on providing jobs rather than permanent residency. In contrast, Australia and Canada focus on providing skilled workers with permanent residency before entering the country. That appeals a lot to Nigerians because they can freely go over their qualifications and automatically get residency, with all the benefits attached to it as well.

Which countries offer the best job opportunities for Nigerian migrants?

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Mishcah highlights specific countries and sectors where job opportunities may favor Nigerians. These include:

• United Kingdom (UK): A hub for caregiving jobs. Mishcah said:

Caregiving is a big industry in the UK. I am currently dealing with a Nigerian gentleman who has been working at a nursing home in the UK for a couple of years. He told me that many Nigerian workers in the UK are doing similar jobs. You don't necessarily need bachelor's degrees, PhDs, etc. A certificate in caregiving is perfectly fine, and they're willing to accept that.

• Australia: Focused on skilled migration for educated professionals in education, engineering, and skilled trades such as boilermakers, fitters and turners, artisans, and electricians.
• United States of America (US): Mischah said Nigerians also migrate to the US mainly for entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Germany: Offers lower tuition fees for international students. She explained that Nigerians also study in Germany and later enter the labor force there.

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On the visa and residency requirements for Nigerians in these countries, the expert stressed that the processes differ by country, but they often prioritize skilled migrants. Taking Canada for instance, Mishcah said many Nigerians consider Canada as one of their first options where they can get permanent residency through the following:

1. If they have a degree or an HND in nursing and a bachelor's degree in medicine, veterinary science, pharmaceutical science, etc.
2. Canada's Express Entry system offers direct permanent residency for those with a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, technology, or math. She said:

Canada has proposed a rather long list of occupations that Nigerians can get through permanent residency if they have the necessary qualifications. In most cases, it is either a bachelor's degree plus a diploma or two diplomas or whatever the case. And under the age of 45. It is very similar to Australia as well.

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It's more of your skilled experience and qualified Nigerians that would keep those two things in mind when looking for permanent residency.

How do social services and welfare benefits in these countries support Nigerian migrants?

Mishcah also said another factor that Nigerians look for when migrating is better social services and welfare systems, some of which include free healthcare and free education. She said:

When you speak with Nigerians and ask, 'Why do you wanna migrate?' Those clients with families almost always talk about wanting to provide better for their children. A lot of the time, they also speak about the insecurities happening in Nigeria, the kidnappings, the killings, and things like that.

When you speak with families, they often seek a better healthcare system, education, and opportunities. The countries we (New World Immigration) work with, like Canada and Australia, often provide free education; they offer better health care for permanent residents.

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Those are the driving factors that most Nigerians are looking for, and that's what they want for their children: better opportunities to grow up in a country with less insecurity and better economic structure.

Common challenges Nigerians face when migrating

Mishcah discusses some of the hurdles Nigerians encounter, starting with the widely recognized term – "Japa", which describes the desire to escape Nigeria's harsh economic and social challenges. She explained:

There's this belief or notion in Nigeria that everybody seems to understand when they say 'Japa,' which means to escape, run away, and seek better opportunities elsewhere. What they look for in those countries, Canada, for example, is that they offer provincial nominee programs where the right Nigerian with the right qualifications can be nominated to work and live in a particular province or a city.

For example, Australia offers permanent residency through skilled visa options like subclass 189 and subclass 190, and there's a growing demand for those occupations in Australia.

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However, Mishcah mentioned that the biggest challenge most Nigerians face is the issue of funding. She noted that migration is expensive, indicating the conversion rate between the naira and other currencies like the dollar. Mishcah said:

I find it helpful to look up the potential salaries for those occupations they're currently doing in Nigeria and then compare that to the dollar value in Canada or Australia. And it's often a major light bulb moment that goes off in their heads. Like, 'Wow. That is what I can earn in another country. I'm doing the same job, and this is what I'm earning here'. And then that is like a game changer.

Once they hear that, they think, 'I'm going to find the money. I will tap into my resources to make this happen because, here in Nigeria, the value of our currency is very little.'

What is the best country to migrate to from Nigeria?

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With diverse job markets and welcoming immigration policies, these countries offer Nigerian professionals the chance to build successful careers, experience new cultures, and enjoy a fulfilling life abroad. Note that the list has not been arranged in any particular order.

Canada

• Official languages: English, French
• Location: North America
• Capital city: Ottawa
• Major industries: Manufacturing, automobile industry, technology

Canada is one of the easiest countries to migrate to from Nigeria. According to the U.S. News Best Countries rankings, Canada ranks #3 in quality of life, behind Sweden and Denmark. The country has various job opportunities in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance.

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Canada's friendly immigration policies, such as the Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Programs, make it flexible for Nigerians to obtain permanent residency.

Sweden

• Official language: Swedish
• Location: Europe
• Capital city: Stockholm
• Major industries: Automotive manufacturing, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, engineering, innovation-driven sectors

Sweden boasts a strong economy with several opportunities in the technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance sectors. The country is known for its free healthcare and low-cost education.

Swedish proficiency is an added advantage, although many Swedes speak English fluently. The country offers a high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and education systems.

Germany

• Official language: German
• Location: Europe
• Capital city: Berlin
• Major industries: Automobiles, machinery, chemicals, electronics, manufacturing

As of 2024, Germany ranks 15th out of 163 on the Global Peace Index (GPI). It is also one of the easiest countries to get a visa from Nigeria. Besides that, Germany is the largest economy in Europe. It offers numerous job opportunities across various industries, including machinery, chemicals, electronics, and manufacturing.

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Ecuador

• Official language: Spanish
• Location: South America
• Capital city: Quito
• Major industries: Petroleum, agriculture (bananas, coffee, cocoa), fishing, manufacturing

Ecuador is another perfect destination for Nigerians because of its low cost of living, unique experiences, and rich cultural heritage. To move to Ecuador for the long term, one must apply for a temporary resident visa. The visa allows foreigners to live, study, work, or retire in Ecuador.

Job opportunities in Ecuador range from tourism to agriculture and healthcare. Spanish proficiency is essential for daily life and work.

Singapore

• Official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
• Location: Southeast Asia
• Capital city: Singapore
• Major industries: Finance, trade, electronics manufacturing, biotechnology, tourism

Singapore is a global financial hub with a highly developed economy and diverse job market. Its open trade policies, social stability, world-class infrastructure and international communication links make it a perfect destination for immigrants.

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Some job opportunities in Singapore include engineering, IT and software, finance and accounting, nursing, healthcare, human resources, marketing and sales, business management, hospitality and teaching.

Poland

• Official language(s): Polish
• Location: Europe
• Capital city: Warsaw
• Major industries: Automotive manufacturing, chemicals, machinery, food processing, information technology

Poland is among the best countries for Nigerians to migrate to, as it has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years. It is the seventh-largest country in Europe and offers opportunities in sectors like engineering, IT and software, marketing & sales, human resource management, healthcare, teaching, accounting and finance, hospitality, and nursing.

Many immigrants choose Poland for permanent residence because it offers high salaries, low housing prices, and low taxes compared to other EU countries.

Norway

• Official language: Norwegian
• Location: Europe
• Capital city: Oslo
• Major industries: Oil and gas production, fishing, aquaculture, shipping, and renewable energy

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Norway is among the best European countries to live and work as a Nigerian because of its low crime rate. The country is known for its strong economy, particularly in the oil and gas, shipping, and renewable energy sectors. As of 2024, nursing is the most in-demand job in Norway. Other in-demand jobs include Pharmacists, HVAC engineers, and Railway engineers.

India

• Official languages: Hindi, English
• Location: South Asia
• Capital city: New Delhi
• Major industries: Information technology, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing.

India has a rapidly growing economy with IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance opportunities. English is widely spoken, making it easier for Nigerians to communicate and work.

Many Nigerians who want to relocate to India enjoy a relatively low cost of living compared to some Western countries.

Australia

• Official language: English
• Location: Oceania
• Capital city: Canberra
• Major industries: Mining (coal, iron ore, gold), agriculture (wheat, wool, beef), tourism, and education

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Australia is among the cheapest countries to migrate to from Nigeria. With a low crime rate and a high standard of living, it is a great destination for building a career. It is known for its strong economy, diverse job market, good quality of life, healthcare, education, and economic freedom.

Australia also has a straightforward immigration process for skilled workers through programs like the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189). Additionally, the country provides several pathways to becoming a permanent resident and citizen, including skilled migration, family reunion, and humanitarian visas.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

• Official language: Arabic
• Location: Middle East
• Capital city: Abu Dhabi
• Major industries: International trading, importing, exporting, tourism, logistics

The UAE, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is known for its vibrant economy and diverse job market. Job opportunities available include finance, construction, hospitality, and healthcare. The UAE offers competitive salaries, tax-free income, and a high standard of living.

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What is the easiest country to migrate to from Nigeria?

Some of the easiest countries to migrate to from Nigeria include Canada, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, and Ecuador.

What are the best European countries to live and work as a Nigerian?

Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway are some of the best European countries for Nigerians to live and work in.

If you were wondering what the best country to migrate to from Nigeria is, you now have many options. They offer visas without a rigorous process, making the migration relatively easier.

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