Insecurity Scares Nigerian Professionals Abroad From Returning Home – Health Worker

A Nigerian-born mother and healthcare professional based in the United States (US), Mrs Nkechi Eze, has said insecurity, poor healthcare services and flawed elections are among the major reasons Nigerians in the diaspora hesitate to return home.

Eze, who spoke journalists said regular telephone calls and financial support to family members in Nigeria could not replace the experience of being physically present with loved ones.

Mrs Eze, the second daughter of renowned Nigerian lawyer, Amobi Nzelu, said that although she maintains regular communication with relatives and supports them from abroad, living far away comes with emotional and practical challenges.

The health worker said she wanted her children to understand their Nigerian roots, meet their relatives and appreciate the culture behind their names, noting that such experiences could not be fully communicated through photographs and telephone conversations.

According to her, stories of Nigerians travelling from the United States to Nigeria and failing to return alive due to various circumstances have also influenced families in the diaspora’s decisions about visiting home.

She explained that although individual deaths may have different causes, such incidents create fear and uncertainty among Nigerians living abroad.

Eze also spoke about the freedom and sense of independence she enjoys as a woman in the United States, saying she would like women in Nigeria to enjoy similar opportunities and protection.

She identified insecurity, limited professional opportunities, children’s education and social expectations as some of the factors discouraging female professionals abroad from returning to Nigeria.

The healthcare professional said the United States provides defined channels through which citizens can seek redress when public or private service providers fail to meet expected standards.

She argued that Nigeria needed to strengthen its public institutions and establish more reliable systems to hold service providers accountable to citizens.

On political participation, Eze expressed support for carefully designed diaspora voting, noting that she had been a United States citizen for about 15 years and regularly exercised her voting rights.

However, she stressed that protecting the votes of Nigerians already participating in elections within the country should remain an immediate priority.

She said she would participate in diaspora voting if adequate arrangements were made for identity verification, ballot security and the independent verification of election results.

Despite the challenges, Eze said she still misses several aspects of Nigerian life, including family gatherings, fresh foods, cultural celebrations and the respect traditionally accorded to elders.

She said these cultural values should be preserved as the country works to improve its public institutions and essential services.

On healthcare, she urged Nigerian leaders who travel abroad for medical treatment to study the systems that make quality healthcare delivery possible and apply relevant lessons at home.

According to her, improving healthcare facilities should involve measurable targets, better-equipped hospitals and the active participation of healthcare professionals.

She also called for greater attention to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those who cannot afford to seek medical treatment abroad.

Eze maintained that improved security and credible elections would give her greater confidence to visit Nigeria regularly.

However, she noted that permanently relocating to the country would require careful consideration of her professional commitments and her children’s educational needs.

She emphasised that maintaining a connection with Nigeria remained important to her, but that improved security, healthcare and democratic institutions would make returning home a more realistic and attractive option.