In this interview, the Nigerian High
Commissioner in Malaysia, Amb. Bello Shehu Ringim speaks on some
challenges being faced by Nigerians in the country among other issues.
Many Nigerians are in Malaysia
to study. What is your suggestion on how to stem the influx and how to
improve education in Nigeria?
There are over 10, 000 Nigerians in Malaysia. It’s sad that we don’t have record of many Nigerians here. They refused to register with the embassy. I use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to register to do so. It’s in their interest and the database shall be used for planning.
On the influx of Nigerian students here, our challenges at home led us to this problem. The present government is trying to restore the glory of education. Things are being streamlined while better funding and other positive steps are being taken. We’ve lost a lot of ground but government is determined to reverse the trend.
There are about 200 Nigerian lecturers in Malaysia. It’s a good thing that we’re leveraging on learning and teaching. Nigerians are gaining experience and exposure by coming to Malaysia. These can be used to develop our nation. There are many good schools here and Nigerians always excel. Though some Nigerians have no business to be here, many are making us proud and return home to develop our education.
Would you say Malaysia tourism policy contributed to Nigerians problem here?
Malaysia tourism policy is good. The country wants to help others to develop. It creates enabling environment for citizens and foreigners to thrive. That the country is accommodating does not give liberty to people to be misbehaving. There are many Nigerians that are doing well here academically and professionally. Our relationship is cordial and we will be consolidating on the gains of the past years.
What are the challenges you are facing as High Commissioner and how are you overcoming them?
My main challenge is with those few Nigerians who are committing crimes. They are few but they are always the ones in the news. Some use those bad elements to judge Nigerians. It’s wrong to do so. Since I assumed duty here, I’ve been grappling with the problem. The education tourism policy introduced in 2005 by the Malaysian government is good and commendable. But it opens the country to different kinds of people, including criminals. They enter the country as tourists and students and started committing crimes.
The policy gives us challenge as many Nigerians started coming to Malaysia. Many Nigerians are deceived by agents who promised them education or jobs. After arriving Malaysia, some of the agents would disappear and leave their victims stranded. Some of the schools they gain admission to are illegal and only after their money. The victims would soon start having immigration and police problems.
Having identified the challenges, the embassy decided to intervene and assist those who have overstayed to leave the country without paying any fine or being jailed. We also visited some Nigerians who are in prisons, detention/deportation camps. Quite a number of Nigerians are in detention. At least 10 Nigerians are on death row. Drug is a major crime. Most of them were arrested at Airports or at their houses. A Nigerian jumped to death to avoid police arrest. Many are being extorted, raped and maltreated here because they are illegal immigrants. Few months ago, some Nigerians were accused of killing a fake policeman who came to arrest them.
Though there are citizens of other countries also in detention but we’re not happy about Nigerians in detention. We linked those who have problems with their families in Nigeria and whoever could assist them. Do you know that some of those who have problems keep it away from their family members? Many lied to their parents and friends that all is well in Malaysia! Many are better off returning to Nigeria.
It’s sad that many Nigerians are being deceived to come to Malaysia with fake promises. People should make comprehensive enquiry from Nigeria’s ministry of education and foreign affairs before embarking on oversea trips. Imagine Nigerian coming to Malaysia to study English? Is Malaysia a native English speaking country?
Private institutions are our main problem. Some of them are not honest but only interested in making money from innocent students. Some Nigerians also act as agents and bring people here only to abandon them. They are not forthcoming in documentation and this leads to immigration and police problem. However, Malaysian government is now aware of this and has put measures to discipline not only the students but defaulting schools.
What are your achievements so far in Malaysia?
My greatest achievement is that there has been peace between Nigeria and Malaysia. There is a cordial relationship among all residents of this country. Nigerians are performing their legitimate activities without hindrance or discrimination. Many of them are doing well in academics as students and lecturers. Those in business and other professional engagements are excelling and earn respect of others in Malaysia.
Also, the embassy now has a mobile passport machine that makes issuance of passport faster and convenient in few days. The mobile machine can be moved round the country to capture whoever needs our services. The machine is serving South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand.
There are over 10, 000 Nigerians in Malaysia. It’s sad that we don’t have record of many Nigerians here. They refused to register with the embassy. I use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to register to do so. It’s in their interest and the database shall be used for planning.
On the influx of Nigerian students here, our challenges at home led us to this problem. The present government is trying to restore the glory of education. Things are being streamlined while better funding and other positive steps are being taken. We’ve lost a lot of ground but government is determined to reverse the trend.
There are about 200 Nigerian lecturers in Malaysia. It’s a good thing that we’re leveraging on learning and teaching. Nigerians are gaining experience and exposure by coming to Malaysia. These can be used to develop our nation. There are many good schools here and Nigerians always excel. Though some Nigerians have no business to be here, many are making us proud and return home to develop our education.
Would you say Malaysia tourism policy contributed to Nigerians problem here?
Malaysia tourism policy is good. The country wants to help others to develop. It creates enabling environment for citizens and foreigners to thrive. That the country is accommodating does not give liberty to people to be misbehaving. There are many Nigerians that are doing well here academically and professionally. Our relationship is cordial and we will be consolidating on the gains of the past years.
What are the challenges you are facing as High Commissioner and how are you overcoming them?
My main challenge is with those few Nigerians who are committing crimes. They are few but they are always the ones in the news. Some use those bad elements to judge Nigerians. It’s wrong to do so. Since I assumed duty here, I’ve been grappling with the problem. The education tourism policy introduced in 2005 by the Malaysian government is good and commendable. But it opens the country to different kinds of people, including criminals. They enter the country as tourists and students and started committing crimes.
The policy gives us challenge as many Nigerians started coming to Malaysia. Many Nigerians are deceived by agents who promised them education or jobs. After arriving Malaysia, some of the agents would disappear and leave their victims stranded. Some of the schools they gain admission to are illegal and only after their money. The victims would soon start having immigration and police problems.
Having identified the challenges, the embassy decided to intervene and assist those who have overstayed to leave the country without paying any fine or being jailed. We also visited some Nigerians who are in prisons, detention/deportation camps. Quite a number of Nigerians are in detention. At least 10 Nigerians are on death row. Drug is a major crime. Most of them were arrested at Airports or at their houses. A Nigerian jumped to death to avoid police arrest. Many are being extorted, raped and maltreated here because they are illegal immigrants. Few months ago, some Nigerians were accused of killing a fake policeman who came to arrest them.
Though there are citizens of other countries also in detention but we’re not happy about Nigerians in detention. We linked those who have problems with their families in Nigeria and whoever could assist them. Do you know that some of those who have problems keep it away from their family members? Many lied to their parents and friends that all is well in Malaysia! Many are better off returning to Nigeria.
It’s sad that many Nigerians are being deceived to come to Malaysia with fake promises. People should make comprehensive enquiry from Nigeria’s ministry of education and foreign affairs before embarking on oversea trips. Imagine Nigerian coming to Malaysia to study English? Is Malaysia a native English speaking country?
Private institutions are our main problem. Some of them are not honest but only interested in making money from innocent students. Some Nigerians also act as agents and bring people here only to abandon them. They are not forthcoming in documentation and this leads to immigration and police problem. However, Malaysian government is now aware of this and has put measures to discipline not only the students but defaulting schools.
What are your achievements so far in Malaysia?
My greatest achievement is that there has been peace between Nigeria and Malaysia. There is a cordial relationship among all residents of this country. Nigerians are performing their legitimate activities without hindrance or discrimination. Many of them are doing well in academics as students and lecturers. Those in business and other professional engagements are excelling and earn respect of others in Malaysia.
Also, the embassy now has a mobile passport machine that makes issuance of passport faster and convenient in few days. The mobile machine can be moved round the country to capture whoever needs our services. The machine is serving South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand.
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