Yobe villages lose youths to migration, residents lament

By Muhammad Maitela

Residents of Yobe State have raised concerns over the increasing number of young people leaving their communities for Libya, Algeria and other foreign countries in search of better living conditions and economic opportunities, warning that some villages are gradually becoming deserted.

They described the growing exodus as alarming and called on the Federal and state governments to take urgent measures to address the underlying causes of migration, create employment opportunities and discourage young people from abandoning their communities.

Findings by The Guardian indicate that the increasing departure of young people could pose a serious threat to the state’s development, given their critical role in driving economic growth, social progress and community development.

The village head of Sonomari in Yusufari Local Council of the state, Baba Alkali, said more than 1,000 youths from communities across the local council area alone had migrated to Libya, Algeria and other countries in search of better living conditions and economic opportunities.

He attributed the growing exodus to insecurity, declining rainfall caused by desertification and worsening economic hardship following the Federal Government’s removal of the fuel subsidy.

Alkali, who disclosed this to The Guardian in Damaturu, said the situation had become increasingly worrying, particularly for communities bordering the Republic of Niger.

According to him, the situation had worsened over the years, as young people who previously depended on farming and fishing could no longer engage in these activities because of insecurity and deteriorating economic conditions.

“In previous years, after the rainy-season farming activities, our youths typically travelled to the Lake Chad region, where they engaged in dry-season farming, cultivating maize, beans and other crops, as well as fishing. These activities provided them with a reliable means of livelihood.

“However, when insecurity escalated in the region, it prevented them from engaging in these activities, forcing many of them to remain at home. Subsequently, the removal of the fuel subsidy further worsened the economic hardship, compelling many young people to migrate to Libya and Algeria in search of opportunities,” he explained.

Despite concerns over the growing exodus, the village head said migration had also brought some economic benefits to their communities, particularly through financial contributions from youths living abroad.

He said some of the migrants had established an association through which they contributed millions of naira to support the education of children in their communities.

“Furthermore, they provide for the upkeep of their parents and other family members by regularly sending money home. Most of the new houses being constructed in our villages belong to these youths living in Libya and Algeria, who send money to their relatives to build houses and provide financial support for their parents,” he said.

The traditional ruler, however, said efforts by community leaders to discourage young people from leaving had achieved limited success because of the lack of alternative economic opportunities.

“Given the livelihoods they have established there, it would be difficult to persuade them to remain here without providing comparable economic opportunities,” he added.

Expressing concern over the trend, Alkali said the continuous departure of young people was gradually depriving communities of the manpower needed for their development.

“We are very worried because our villages are gradually becoming deserted. The youths are the backbone of every society, but when they leave their communities for other countries instead of remaining to contribute to the development of their hometowns, it poses a serious threat to our future,” he said.

He also warned that unscrupulous individuals could exploit the migration situation, exposing young people to negative influences and activities that could threaten their communities and the country at large.

He appealed to the Federal Government, the Yobe State Government and Yusufari Local Council to urgently address the situation by creating employment and economic opportunities for young people.