A public affairs commentator, John Azu, has expressed worry over the increasing involvement of some Nigerian youths in criminal activities abroad, a development he noted, poses grave danger to the nation’s image and her future generations.
Recall that Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu had recently secured a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement, allowing a collective group of eligible citizens to serve the remainder of their sentences in Nigeria.
The agreement, signed on June 10, 2026, facilitates the repatriation of an initial batch of 136 Nigerian inmates held primarily at AbaSamuel Prison and Kaliti Federal Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement dictates that inmates must consent to the terms and have at least one year left on their sentences.
An unconfirmed list trending online purported to be the names of the inmates covered under the agreement, shows that about 100out of the total number were from the Igbo extraction.
Reacting to the development, Azu attributed the development partly to the erosion of traditional values, particularly among the Igbo, following the Nigerian civil war.
According to him, the disruption of livelihoods and loss of assets suffered by many people after the war contributed to the abandonment of long-held principles of honest entrepreneurship and patience, which he said had historically driven wealth creation in many communities.
He recalled the reflections of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in his book ‘Because I Am Involved,’ where the former military officer reportedly expressed concerns about the future of Igbo youths after the civil war.
Azu argued that limited opportunities in key sectors and widespread economic hardship have fueled mass migration among youths, not only from the South-East but also from other parts of the country, including Edo, Yoruba and Itsekiri communities.
Despite the outcry over exclusion, Azu said there was no justification for the involvement of some Nigerians abroad in internet fraud, drug trafficking, document racketeering and human trafficking, describing the trend as unacceptable.
He called on the Federal Government to establish migration desks across Nigerian foreign missions to better manage migration and ensure that prospective migrants acquire relevant skills before travelling abroad.
The commentator also lamented what he described as the decline of the culture of integrity and enterprise that once characterized Nigerian businessmen from places such as Abiriba, Nnewi and Warri, who built thriving international trade networks across West Africa and maintained commercial ties with countries including Japan, South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands.
While acknowledging that criminality cuts across ethnic divides, Azu accused corrupt public officials and criminal syndicates operating within Nigeria of contributing significantly to the country’s challenges through the diversion of public resources and support for insecurity.
He warned that the combined effect of criminal activities at home and abroad was damaging Nigeria’s international reputation and weakening the value of its passport.
“Addressing the problem requires sincere leadership and collective action. Nigerians should avoid ethnic divisions and confront the issue through honest discussions.
“Our country’s future and global image are at stake. When investors and international institutions assess Nigeria, they evaluate the entire country, not one region.
“Government and citizens alike must work towards reducing the factors driving irregular migration and criminality in order to safeguard the country’s standing in the international community,” he said.
