IRREGULAR MIGRATION WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING AS A RESULT OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND LACK OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTHS: AN ASSESSMENT OF IDENTIFIED MIGRANT RETURNEES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the level of entrepreneurial skill of identified migrant returnees in Nigeria as it links to the reason for their involvement in irregular migration and drug trafficking. The study was carried out by the author through a pre and post training assessment of identified migrant returnees during their vocational business and entrepreneurial reintegration training program. Supplementary information was also gathered during the class interaction session with the participants as they were sharing their migration experience. The result revealed that 52.6% of the migrant returnees admitted that they have been involved in drug peddling and trafficking during their migration. From the pre training assessment, 72.5% of the participants agreed that they have not received any vocational business training before. The post assessment showed that 93% of the participants would like to start up one of the businesses they were exposed to after the vocational training they received and were willing to start up their own business in the country to better their livelihood. The participants (97%) agreed that the entrepreneurial and business vocational training given to them have exposed them with specific idea and skills to develop business idea. 76.5% were able to develop a business plan after the training. Eighty-seven (89%) of the participants want such entrepreneurial and business vocational training program to continue as a means to reintegrate the migrant returnees and to discourage irregular migration and drug trafficking. It is expected that if these migrant returnees had acquired entrepreneurial or vocational skills, they would have established various businesses in their country and therefore would not have fall victims of irregular migration and drug trafficking as an alternative to make a living.