Almost All Nigerians Living In Turkey Are Illegal Immigrants — Community

The Vice President of the Nigerian Community in Turkey, Enifome Ubogu, has revealed that about 70 percent of Nigerians living in Turkey are undocumented and illegal migrants, whose residency permits has expired.

Ubogu stated this on Thursday, after a two-day Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit organized by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

Ubogu warned Nigerians on the risks of illegal migration.

“About 70 per cent of Nigerians living in Turkey are undocumented as they have expired papers and visas. Turkey is a very lovely country as the government hardly deports illegal immigrants. But Nigerians should know that when you go to a country, the first thing you do is to make sure you are legitimate in the country. We should always follow the right protocol to get a valid residency," he said.

He stressed the need for government to create an enabling environment for diaspora businesses to thrive.

“Yearly, Nigerians in Turkey make about $20 million remittances to Nigeria. But what is the output of these investments? The country's exchange rate is a problem for foreign investment. The country needs to give citizens abroad the confidence to invest in the country," he added.

According to him, about 600,000 Nigerians currently live in Turkey.