Belgium’s Director General IBZ Federal Public Service, Home Affairs, Freddy Rosemont has said that there was an increase in the number of Nigerians seeking asylum in his home country, noting that there were also those who try to move to other European countries after getting asylum.
Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Edo State, where he announced the launch of a new information and awareness campaign aimed at discouraging illegal migration, Rosemont expressed concern over the growing number of Nigerians, particularly from Benin City, engaging in illegal sex trade in his country.
He said: “We have also noticed that more and more Nigerians are seeking asylum in Belgium. Some have come to Belgium by legal means, others taken way through the Mediterranean Sea.
“Once in Belgium, they apply for asylum, but it makes little sense. Asylum is determined on the basis of the Geneva Convention and economic motives are not included. Therefore, the recognition rate for asylum is very low and the chances of obtaining a residence permit are almost non-existence
“According to recent statistics from the Belgian authorities, the total number of Nigerians seeking asylum in Belgium has increased considerably from 350 in 2022 to 370 in 2023”.
For regular migration, Rosemont noted that at least 5,000 Nigerians were living legally in Belgium.
He also identified the inability of applicants to provide genuine documents and proper documentation as a challenge.
Rosemont urged Nigerians to stay in their own country and improve their lives rather than embark on a journey that they were not sure of getting greener pastures.
He encouraged them to invest in their education and build on their dreams in Nigeria.
