From Sojourn to Settlement: The 20th-Century Migration of Highly Skilled Nigerians to the United States

The 20^th century ushered in massive political changes for the continent of Africa. The century began with most of the continent under colonial rule and ended with countries being nominally independent, but still tied to an economic order that placed Africa at distinct disadvantages in relation to the rest of the world. Economic restructuring as a result of globalization and the imposition of Structural Adjustment Programs led to an “era of migration” with significant population movements around the world. Africa was deeply affected by these economic and political shifts. Significant outmigration, both of deeply impoverished people and highly skilled individuals continued unabated into the 21^stcentury.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, provides an important case study of how outmigration developed. Political and economic crises, coupled with significant declines in the standard of living for all but the wealthiest Nigerians, means that anyone with both the means and the gumption to leave Nigeria attempted to do so (although now, we are witnessing some return migration and a strong sense of transnational identity among many Nigerians). This paper analyses the factors leading to significant waves of migration of Nigerians to the United States in the late twentieth century. In particular, I focus on the opportunities available for highly educated Nigerians in the U.S. and what their experiences were when they arrived. Although many of the first Nigerian immigrants came for education and had every intention of returning home, by the late 70s and early 80s, many skilled professionals were finding that a permanent return home was either inadvisable or impossible. Meanwhile, those who remained at home benefitted from remittances sent by their loved ones, but suffered the consequences of a ‘brain drain’ of skilled professionals and a decimated middle class.