Some people choose to migrate, eg someone who moves to another country to enhance their career opportunities. Some people are forced to migrate, eg someone who moves due to war or famine. Either reason is valid and advisable, especially with the current dilapidation of the Nigerian economy.
Factors Forcing People to Migrate
People move due to push and/or pull factors. Push factors are as follows:
- Better services
- Safety and Security
- Political Stability
- Fertile soil
- Drought
- Flooding
- poverty
- war
Pull factors are factors that draw individuals to relocate to a specific location. They are as follows:
- Better job offer
- Increased income.
- Improved services
- Favorable climate
- Political security
- Places less vulnerable to natural disasters.
Migration is frequently caused by a mix of these push and pull causes. With the insecurities and the economic downturn happening in Nigeria; it is imperative one has a Plan B should the need arise. Your plan B should include African countries you can travel to without a Visa, in case your UK/Canadian visa doesn’t work out.
People move for a variety of reasons. These are the economic, social, political, and environmental forms of migration:
- Economic migration is defined as relocating to obtain a job or pursue a certain career path like further education or skill acquisition.
- Moving somewhere for a better quality of life or to be closer to family or friends is referred to as social migration.
- Political migration – fleeing political oppression or conflict.
- Environment migration -natural calamities such as floods are also environmental reasons for migration.
Does your Plan involve traveling abroad? If yes, are you running on a low budget? or can’t afford a high-cost transport expense and or high cost of living? Then, you are in the right place.
Here, you will find a compiled list of Visa free countries for Nigerians you can migrate to, with little or no cost. We hope this helps.
1. Seychelles
Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. The country is encompassed by 115 islands, numerous beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves.
Seychelles is the second richest country in Africa, with an economy focused mainly on tourism and fishing. Seychelles boasts the highest GDP per capita in Africa at $15,476 in 2015.
The official languages are English, French, and Creole.
Seychelles is considered the 5th safest country in Africa. A Nigeria Passport Holder does not need a tourist visa to visit Seychelles for a stay of up to 90 days. Nonetheless, every foreigner trying to work in Seychelles needs a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP), also known as a work permit.
A foreigner cannot enter the country with the purpose of employment before obtaining a GOP. Employees will also need a resident permit to live in the country. The average monthly income in Seychelles, with taxes removed, falls at about 250,000 nairas.
To live comfortably, as a single person, on average, you need about 220,000 nairas yearly without rent factored in. You need to stay legally as a resident for at least 5 years to be able to apply for citizenship.
The citizens of Seychelles can visit 120 countries without a visa which consists of 45 European Countries (with up to 90 days stay and the UK have up to 6 months stay), 23 Africa Countries, 28 South-America countries, 14 Asia countries, and 10 Oceania Countries. Seychelles is the African country with the largest number of visa-free access to other countries.
2. Ghana
Ghana is a country in West Africa, known for its fast-growing pacing economic growth. Ranked as the 9th richest country in Africa. The country consistently ranks in the top three countries in Africa for freedom of speech and press freedom.
The official language is English. Ghana is a relatively safe country. A Nigeria Passport Holder does not need a tourist visa to visit Ghana for a stay of up to 90 days.
A single person estimated monthly cost is 232,000 naira ($569) which does not include rent. However, the duration for processing work permits is within 5 to 6 weeks. The official fee for a 1-year work permit in Ghana is $1,000.
The minimum wage for a person working in Ghana typically earns around 359,437 naira (5,070 GHS) per month. A foreigner must have legally been a resident of Ghana before applying for citizenship by neutralization can be obtained. The citizens of Ghana can visit up to 39 countries without a visa.
3. Gambia
Another on the list of visa-free countries for Nigerians is Gambia. It is the smallest country in mainland Africa. The country is one of the African countries you can travel to without a Visa as a Nigerian passport holder.
The Gambia is known for its beaches along its small Atlantic coastline. It is also known for being home to Jufureh (Juffure); the reputed ancestral village of Kunta Kinte, the main character in Alex Haley’s well-known novel Roots.
The Gambia is, for the most part, a safe country to visit. However, it does have a rather high crime rate, though it’s mainly ridden with petty street crime.
Well, you can have your mind at rest as there are no threatening insecurities like we have here in Nigeria. The Gambia is ranked as the 12th most stable economy amongst the 47 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
A Nigeria Passport Holder does not need a tourist visa to visit the Gambia for a stay of up to 90 days. Before factoring in rent costs, the average two-person household in The Gambia needs about 112,000 nairas ($273) per month. The minimum wage for a person working in the Gambia is 126,799 naira ($310).
See more visa-free countries for Nigerian citizens and their requirements…
