Reassessing the "Greener Pasture" Narrative: Examining the Expectation–Reality Gap in Nigerian International Migration, 2015–2025

Migration is a central feature of the modern world, and millions of people around the world have crossed borders in search of better economic opportunities, more quality education, better health care, increased personal security and better living conditions. There are myriad reasons for the rise in emigration (Japa) in Nigeria; they include unemployment, limitations in socio-economic mobility, economic instability, insecurity, and poor governance. While migration can be seen as a means of enhancing opportunities and living standards, the lived experiences of many Nigerians migrating is often far removed from their pre-migration dreams and expectations. This paper aims to explore the expectation-reality gap in the context of Nigerian migration and the popular 'greener pasture' story is critically reappraised. Specifically the study is concerned with the motivation for migration, the expectations of Nigerians before they go and their experience during their stay in the host countries and the socio-economic consequences of the unfulfilled expectations. This study is qualitative research with a documentary analysis approach, which is a research that analyzes documents or secondary data that has been used as many sources and can be trusted. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data, and the theories of the Push–Pull Theory, the New Economics of Labour Migration (NELM) and the Aspiration–Capability Framework were used to interpret the data. The results show that, while migration has offered a number of opportunities for employment, education, income generation, and professional development, the migrants face a range of issues, including underemployment, credential devaluation, discrimination, social isolation, high cost of living, restrictive immigration policies and social integration challenges. These challenges can make it likely that migrants' expectations before they leave are going to be greatly different from migrants' life experiences after migration. The study also reveals the existence of unrealistic expectations which can be instilled and reinforced by the focus on success stories which appear in social media, diaspora communities and migration facilitators. The notion of “always a greener pasture” is a simplistic perspective of a more multifaceted process of migration, the study finds. The ability, legal status, education of migrants, labour market dynamics and policies of the destination country influence the outcomes of migration. The study recommends that accurate information on migration should be provided, orientation programmes before the migration should be strengthened, opportunities for jobs in the countries of origin should be improved and evidence-based policies on migration should be created. The study helps to enrich the scholarship on migration by offering a nuanced perception of the link between desire for migration and the realities of migrants from Nigeria.