Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala has said some Nigerians earning as little as ₦60,000 a month are better off than many citizens who relocated abroad five years ago, arguing that the rising cost of living overseas has eroded the financial gains of migration.
Speaking on The Morayo Show, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications said many Nigerians who left the country in search of better opportunities are now working jobs that do not match their qualifications.
"Some of you in Nigeria who think you are suffering, you're better off than your colleagues that japa five years ago," Bwala said.
He claimed that many degree holders in the United Kingdom are employed in care homes and warehouses, describing the situation as exploitative.
"As far as I am concerned, it is modern-day slavery," he said.
According to Bwala, although many Nigerians abroad earn between £2,600 and £2,800 monthly, much of their income goes toward rent, transportation, utilities, internet bills and food.
"At the end of the day, what you are left with is not much. So you are forced to do two or three jobs," he said.
Bwala argued that Nigerians who remain in the country may benefit from stronger family and community support despite earning less.
"That ₦60,000 earner can still get support from family and friends, while many abroad have nobody to fall back on," he added.
The presidential aide also defended the Tinubu administration's social intervention programmes, highlighting recent healthcare initiatives.
"President Bola Tinubu introduced a 50 per cent subsidy on dialysis in federal hospitals, and caesarean section has been made free in public hospitals," Bwala said.
He added that the government plans to expand healthcare support to cover more medical services and prescription drugs as additional resources become available.
