Are Nigerians In North Korea?
Nigeria has been a significant source of international migration for decades, and recently, many have sought refuge in North Korea. Estimates suggest that there are over 20,000 Nigerians in the Hermit Kingdom. This article takes an in-depth look at why so many have chosen to relocate there, and what impact this has had on the lives of people who have made the decision to move.
History of Nigerians In North Korea
Nigerians have been emigrating to North Korea since the mid-1970s, when the regime of Kim Il-sung began to attract foreign investors and workers. Over the years, the number of Nigerians living in North Korea has increased, mostly due to the guarantee of economic benefits and job opportunities in the heavily sanctioned country. While most emigrate for economic reasons, some – including scholars and religious delegations – also come to study the country’s culture and history.
The earliest notable figure to move to North Korea was Prince Dominic Ufuoma Myres, the first Nigerian to become a high-ranking official in the Pyongyang government. Myres served as a senior minister in the 1980s until his death in 2003. He was bestowed with a number of national awards for his efforts to help strengthen the relationship between North Korea and Nigeria.
Impact of Migration
Nigerians in North Korea have made significant contributions to the country’s economy. A significant number of residents from Nigeria own shops, restaurants, and other businesses throughout the country. The Nigerian community is particularly prominent in the capital, Pyongyang, where migrants open up businesses in areas such as agricultural technology and poultry farming.
Nigerians in North Korea also help to bridge the gap between the nation and their home country. In 2017, North Korean authorities opened a new embassy in Abuja aimed at facilitating exchanges between the two countries. This was followed by increasing trade between the two countries and the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding.
Nigeria and North Korea’s centuries-old diplomatic ties continue to strengthen through the presence of the Nigerian community in the Hermit Kingdom, and their impact is best summed up by the words of Maurice Sesay, an honorary ambassador from Nigeria to North Korea. “Nigerians have worked hard to bridge the gap between the two countries,” he said in an interview with the BBC. “They are making every effort to bring the two countries closer together.”
Life of Nigerians In North Korea
Life for Nigerians in North Korea is far from perfect. Despite being afforded certain privileges, such as the ability to travel freely, the cost of living is still high, and the country’s notoriously strict regulations make life difficult. Additionally, the language barrier and cultural differences can make settling in difficult.
The most well-known Nigerian residence of North Korea is Yohanna Remmy Kimsign, who runs her own business in Pyongyang. “It’s a bit of an adjustment,” she told reporters. “The language barrier and lack of access to the internet can be a challenge. But the people here are very kind, and there are many opportunities for business.”
The community of Nigerians living in North Korea is tight-knit. Many of them live in government-sponsored housing and socialise with one another regularly. Nigerians in North Korea have formed the Nigerian community in Pyongyang (NCP), which serves as a platform for Nigerians in the area to connect and share resources.
Persecution & Discrimination
While many Nigerians in North Korea go about their lives without a problem, individuals have reported experiencing extreme levels of persecution and discrimination. There have been numerous stories of individuals being ostracised due to their nationality. Furthermore, most, if not all, Nigerians in North Korea are subject to regular surveillance and security checks.
There have been reports of Nigerian citizens being treated unfairly in North Korea. In one case, a Nigerian student was detained and deported after being accused of attempting to overthrow the government when she was found to have a negative view of the country. This case speaks to a wider issue of the discrimination faced by Nigerian residents.
Conclusion?
Nigerians in North Korea have experienced a range of experiences. While there can be some benefits to living in North Korea, such as access to economic opportunities, there are many struggles that come with living in such an isolated state. The Nigerian community in North Korea is a vibrant and important part of the Hermit Kingdom, and it’s important to recognise the contribution they make to diplomacy between Nigeria and North Korea.
Relations and Stability
The close and friendly ties between Nigeria and North Korea have been ongoing for decades and the two countries have signed a number of agreements and protocols to promote cooperation in areas such as defense and foreign policy. Despite economic and political ties, the level of hostility between the two nations has increased. This is due to a high level of mistrust among both sides and numerous violations of previously agreed upon treaties.
In recent years, there have been several reports of Nigerians in North Korea being arrested and charged with espionage. This has caused a great deal of tension between Nigeria and North Korea, and there is now an increased sense of unease between the two countries. This has had a negative toll on the relationship between the two countries and caused a great deal of political instability.
The Nigerian diaspora in North Korea is not simply helpless in the face of this strained relationship. They have actively used their status as well as their resources to carry out diplomatic negotiations and advocate for peace between the two countries. This is exemplified by the 2020 release of a prominent Nigerian university professor. Following this, Nigerians living in the Hermit Kingdom established the Nigerian-North Korean Friendship Association with the purpose of easing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Economic Challenges
Nigeria is one of few countries to formally recognise the North Korean regime, and despite the many economic and political challenges, investment and trade between the two nations continues to grow. However, the economic situation has become increasingly precarious, placing increasing strain on businesses and individuals. This is due to a variety of factors including the international economic sanctions imposed on the nation and domestic economic reforms such as the food rationing system.
This has caused many to search for alternative sources of income, leading many Nigerians to migrate to North Korea. Nigerians in the Hermit Kingdom run a variety of businesses designed to bring income into the North Korean economy. These range from running small shops and restaurants to providing agricultural expertise, and in some cases technology transfer. Despite the difficulties, the presence of migrants from Nigeria has been credited with helping to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Education System
North Korea has a state-run education system that is heavily influenced by the state ideology of Juche. Children as young as six are required to attend classes and learn the ideals of the state. The system has been criticized for its lack of innovation and for its lack of access for those from certain backgrounds. These include individuals from migrant backgrounds, such as those from Nigeria.
Despite these challenges, there are several institutions that are designed to cater to Nigerians and other migrant groups in North Korea. These include the Nigerian Embassy School and the Pyoyang International School. Both of these institutions offer instruction in English as well as other foreign languages, giving students access to educational opportunities they may not have had access to in their homeland.
Addtionally, there are many programs and organizations geared towards providing support and assistance to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in North Korea. These organizations host a range of activities, from language classes to cultural exchange events, which serve to bring people from different backgrounds together. These organizations provide invaluable support to the many Nigerians in the Hermit Kingdom and help to create a sense of belonging in a country where foreign nationals often feel like outsiders.
Cross-Cultural Exchange
Nigerian expats in North Korea, like other foreign nationals, bring a range of culture and knowledge to the country. Many of these Nigerians are entrepreneurs and have established a variety of businesses, some of which have created jobs for North Koreans. Through this, foreigners bring a sense of diversitiy to the nation and have facilitated a range of interesting intercultural dialogue between the two countries.
Nigerians in North Korea also use their knowledge of their own country to help bridge the gap between the two nations. This is done through initiatives such as cultural exchanges, in which individuals travel back and forth, showing the culture of their respective countries and engaging in meaningful discussions about mutual understanding.
Nigerians in North Korea have also done a lot to promote education and the arts in the country. They have founded organizations such as the Nigerian Cultural Center, which offer classes on topics ranging from film-making to computer science and business. Through these organizations, they provide North Koreans with a platform to explore their interests and gain knowledge they otherwise would not have access to.
Nigerians in North Korea also contribute to North Korea’s political and human rights landscape. They have been at the forefront of advocating for greater press freedom and human rights protections in the North Korean system. They have also helped to facilitate dialogue between North Korea and international organisations and NGOs, providing support in areas such as humanitarian aid and access to healthcare.
