Effect of Xenophobia on Migration and the Quest for Regional Integration in Africa

Abstract

Hundreds of people, often of the poorest and most vulnerable leave their habitats to settle elsewhere in order to survive. Some do so voluntarily and others involuntarily. The interplay between migration and xenophobia in Africa is increasingly becoming a complex and multifarious problem in the international system. This study examines the factors responsible for the movement of Africans most especially Nigerian citizens out of their countries to other countries of the world. But it focuses more on xenophobic attacks on Nigerian migrants in African countries, specifically in South Africa and Ghana among others and its implications on African regional integration efforts. The data for the study was secondary sources derived from documentary evidences. The analysis was contextually carried out. Findings revealed that majority of Nigerian nationals move out of the country to other countries in African and the developed countries of Europe and America where they find better structured economy, greater economic opportunities and assured security. Findings has also revealed that a good number of Nigerians leave their country to other countries as a result of bad government and failure of the Nigerian government to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Investigation has shown that attacks and hostilities on African nationals resident in South Africa and Ghana in the recent time are basically targeted on established businesses of Nigerians and a few other nationals of other African countries. Xenophobic attacks on migrants in any part of the world is not a welcomed development because labour migrants contribute to the growth and development of the host countries. It is even more disheartening for Africans attacking fellow Africans in Africa. It is therefore a big crack on the acclaimed regional integration and co-operation among African nations. In conclusion, the work recommends among other things that the governments of South Africa and Ghana should look inwards to unravel the root causes of incessant xenophobic attacks on African nationals resident in their countries and address it by resettling the affected individuals. It also enjoins the government of Nigeria and other African nations affected by xenophobic attacks to quickly address the deteriorating economic and security situations in their countries in order to curb the outflow of their citizens to developed countries with better structured economies.