Perceived Impact of Border Closure due to Covid-19 of Intending Nigerian Migrants

With few exceptions, the European Council closed Europe for non-citizen travellers on 17 March 2020 because of Covid-19 pandemic. Many African countries, including Nigeria, have placed travel restrictions or completely shut their borders to both who want enter country and citizens leave. These decisions affect many intending migrants seeking a way reach Europe. Health socioeconomic uncertainties related lockdowns, border closure, in some cases directly dynamics decision-making by migrants. This article employs in-depth interviews focus group discussions explore perception Nigerians intend migrate considering influence Covid-19. The study focuses Nigerian but touches transit are trapped Niger en route through Libya Morocco. While closure most sending receiving countries led decrease intention travel, as pandemic does not significantly migrants’ primarily its global presence, merely leading delays. In conclusion, after reopening, intercontinental migration is expected increase volume intensity.