Japa: Disregard job offers on social media, IOM tells Nigerians

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a UN migration agency, has urged Nigerians intending to migrate and work abroad to be cautious about job offers they come across on social media platforms.

Mrs Paola Pace, IOM Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, said many job postings on social media are fraudulent and are often created by dishonest individuals posing as employers to deceive unsuspecting job seekers, especially those hoping for better opportunities abroad.

During a roundtable discussion on “Japa and Japada: Conscious and Chosen Mobility” at the French Institute in Abuja, Pace highlighted cases of Nigerian migrants who faced challenges and even danger after falling for fake job promises. 

She mentioned instances where Nigerians ended up stranded in African countries or fell victim to organ harvesting gangs due to false job offers.

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Pace advised job seekers to rely on official sources such as foreign embassies in Nigeria and migration resource centres for authentic job opportunities. 

She also cautioned against fake employers who demand money from job seekers, noting that such offers are often scams.

She said, “Don’t inform yourself through social media. There are lot of information that is not genuine. You also may not necessarily believe the job offer out there. Some are genuine, some are not. 

“When they demand a huge amount of money as part of the conditions, it is most likely not a genuine job offer. 

“You also need to know that there are risks out there. They are Nigerians who live abroad, they manage to study, work and unite with their family. But they are also those who went through a perilous journey, believing false information. 

“Before coming to Nigeria, I met a lot of Nigerians in the Niger Republic, they believed in false information and were trapped there. They went through abuse and exploitation, some women and men through rape. 

“You need to be well informed through official channels before you embark on your trip.”

Pace said the IOM is collaborating with local organisations and media to reach out to communities, particularly those with limited access to information, to raise awareness about migration risks and provide accurate information.

Mrs Liisa Coulombe, an analyst for immigration, refugees and citizenship at the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, urged Nigerians to educate themselves through official sources about potential dangers before embarking on journeys abroad.

“Nowhere is paradise on earth,” she said.