The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), on Friday, attributed the plight of some workers from Nigeria sleeping in cars after being recruited by the United Kingdom’s prison service to inadequate preparation on their part.
This follows a report by The Telegraph highlighting how foreign nationals, including Nigerians, faced severe accommodation challenges after traveling to the UK under the skilled worker visa program.
The program, aimed at addressing the UK’s prison staffing shortages, drew recruits from across the globe, including Nigeria. While the job offered opportunities for better livelihoods, many recruits arrived in the UK only to find they had nowhere to stay.
Some resorted to sleeping in cars or even camping in forests. Mark Fairhurst, President of the Prison Officers Association, recounted cases of workers showing up at prison gates with luggage and families in tow, under the mistaken belief that accommodation was part of their employment package.
“We’ve had recruits sleeping in cars because they couldn’t find housing. One even camped in the woods across from the prison,” Fairhurst said. “It’s heartbreaking to see people travel thousands of miles only to face such hardship.”
Tom Wheatley, President of the Prison Governors Association, noted that the surge in applications, particularly from Nigeria, was fueled by online communities and word-of-mouth referrals within expat circles.
Reacting to the distressing reports, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, issued a press release on Friday, urging Nigerians to plan better when pursuing overseas opportunities.
“It’s crucial to ensure your travel arrangements are legitimate and complete before embarking on such journeys,” Balogun said. “It is unreasonable to travel and end up sleeping on the streets or in your car. Proper planning is essential to avoid unnecessary hardship.”
He emphasized that securing accommodation, transportation, and basic necessities is a fundamental part of relocating abroad.
Balogun also warned of the legal risks, noting that in many countries, including the UK, sleeping on the streets can violate local laws.