Nigerians are making remarkable strides in Canada, significantly contributing to the country’s economic, cultural, and social landscape. This was revealed by James Christoff, the Canadian
Nigerians Among the Most Successful Immigrants in Canada – High Commissioner
Nigerians are making remarkable strides in Canada, significantly contributing to the country’s economic, cultural, and social landscape. This was revealed by James Christoff, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, during a special visit to Lagos Business School
“Nigeria’s greatest asset is its human talents, particularly its entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve spent much of my career in Africa and can attest to the abundance of entrepreneurship skills in Nigeria,” Christoff said.
Christoff highlighted the growing curiosity among Canadians about Nigeria, largely due to their interactions with Nigerian colleagues, neighbors, and friends. He praised Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit, noting that the country’s greatest asset lies in its human talent.
One major area of collaboration between Canada and Nigeria is education. Nigeria is the fifth largest source of international students for Canada, with nearly 14,000 Nigerian students currently enrolled in Canadian institutions. Christoff emphasized the importance of expanding educational opportunities between the two nations.
“Nigeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in Africa, with annual trade valued at over two billion dollars. However, there is potential for much more, and my team is focused on identifying new opportunities for both countries,” he added.
Canada’s aging population and declining birth rate have led to a shrinking labor force, prompting the country to adopt immigration-friendly policies to attract young and vibrant immigrants. Last year, the Canadian federal government announced a plan to admit 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025, with a target of 1.5 million new immigrants over the next three years. In 2022, Canada welcomed 437,120 Permanent Residents (PRs), an 8% increase from 2021.
In the first half of 2023, the number of Nigerians moving to Canada reached the highest level in nine years, with 10,180 PRs, a slight increase from 10,105 in the same period in 2022. Higher education and work opportunities remain the primary pathways for permanent emigration. However, Nigeria’s current economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and slow economic growth, are also driving many to seek better opportunities abroad.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to an 18-month high of 25.80% in August. Additionally, the NBS revealed that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, a significant increase from the 82.9 million reported in 2019.
Christoff underscored the importance of private sector solutions to address these economic challenges. He pointed to sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, green and clean technology, and education as key areas where Canada can offer opportunities to Nigeria.
Credit: BusinessDay.ng 2023
At Avid Career and Development, we can guide you through the process of applying to top educational institutions in Canada. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you achieve your educational and career goals. Follow us across our social media platforms for the latest updates on professional development and career opportunities.
