Nigerian Immigrants to Italy: Cultural Integration

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Introduction

Migration is an essential aspect of today’s globalized society. Migration is defined broadly as the movement of individuals from one place of habitation to another. Both legitimately and illegally, migration has become essential to international relations. It has had a worldwide influence on the social, economic, and political spheres and should be treated with caution and method. There have been several misunderstandings about migrants and immigrants in the media and throughout the globe. A migrant journeys from one location within a country to another (commonly for economic reasons). In terms of area, an immigrant goes from one nation to another, intending to settle in that country (Dimkpa, 2019). For example, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, with an estimated 100 million inhabitants. Nigeria has been politically uncertain for many years, dating back to its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. This ongoing difficulty has played a significant role in the increased migration of Nigerians to European nations (Friebel et al., 2018). Nigerians migrate to Europe primarily due to economic issues or causes such as unemployment, a lack of adequate income, economic growth, financial troubles, and indebtedness. Terrorism and insecurity are major issues, prompting many Nigerians to flee to European nations in search of safety.

Typologies of Migration

International migration has a lengthy history, including several watershed moments. The breakdown of middle-aged societies and the accompanying changes such as agricultural revolutions, the renaissance, colonization, the industrial revolution, technological advancement, modern education, the emergence of free market societies, and commercial process are some significant factors that have contributed to the growth of international migration (Dömös & Tarrósy, 2019). Globalization has recently increased migration, primarily due to revolutionary improvements in information technology. There are many theories on international migration in the literature. As a result, scholars seek to categorize migration theories based on numerous aspects such as their origin, migratory patterns, related disciplines, and applicability in the current situation. This section investigates such classifications and the nature of specific ideas relevant to international migration.

Lee’s Push and Pull Theory

Everret Lee invented and developed Push and Pull theory in 1966, an ancient but highly influential migration theory. It describes the elements that lead to enormous migration between two nations and the hurdles that stand in their way. Factors such as market economy development, political instability, economic crises, unemployment, conflicts, pay differentials, civil wars, poverty, social inequality, ethnic cleansing, insecurity, and gender discrimination may be found on both sides of the border. The distinction is that they are referred to as Push factors in origin nations and Pull factors in destination countries.

Neo-classical Theory

The neo-classical theory is the oldest and most well-known theory of international migration. It illustrates how labor migration affects economic growth. Workers prefer to relocate to a high-wage nation when the labor supply is elastic, but the labor is paid low salaries, and their marginal productivity is poor (Hawthorne, 2021). The underlying premise behind this hypothesis is that eliminating pay differentials will limit labor movements and bring labor migration to a halt. They emphasize that the option to move is primarily impacted by the migrant’s first work choices and predicted wage differentials (Wickramasinghe & Wimalaratana, 2017). Another central assumption is that the international labor movement occurs solely in labor markets and that other markets play no significant role in international migration. It is also anticipated that labor market laws and restrictions might govern sending and receiving nations’ international migration. In most developing countries, the first migration is not always voluntary. Poverty, civil disputes, and restricting governmental policies are all fundamental causes. As a result, the assumptions of the Neo-classical method may be called into question, especially in the context of emerging nations.

The New Economics of Labor Migration

The theory was recently constructed to challenge the conclusions and assumptions of Neo-classical Theory. NELM is concerned with migration from the micro individual to meso units such as families, homes, or other culturally defined units. In comparison to the Neo-classical Theory, NELM showed several advancements. The Neo-classical approach’s focus on wage differentials is outpaced by the collective role of households in NELM, calling the former’s assumptions into question. However, income disparities and household decision-making are not mutually incompatible or hostile categories. NELM opposes the Neo-classical Theory solely to the degree that it considers the individual’s structural circumstances rather than only the labor market.

Dual Labor Market Theory

The model avoids understanding migration as the product of human actions, instead arguing that international movement is the outcome of basic labor needs in industrialized economies today. International migration occurs due to pulling forces in receiving nations rather than pushing ones in sending countries (Wickramasinghe & Wimalaratana, 2017). According to Michael, push forces include low salaries and significant unemployment, whereas pull factors are important and inevitable demands foreign workers in receiving countries are expected to meet. Furthermore, this theory focuses on four critical characteristics of industrialized nations that explain the influx of labor from other nations, including structural inflation, motivational issues, economic dualism, and labor supply demographics.

Network Theory

Migration networks are a modern notion that is tied to the concept of social capital. It is characterized as a “network of interpersonal links that connect migrants with families, friends, or other countrymen at home, who relay information, give financial assistance, and promote job possibilities and housing in a variety of helpful ways” (Wickramasinghe & Wimalaratana, 2017). The positive impacts of the network migration mechanism have benefited the sending-growth countries while creating significant legal, political, and financial difficulties in immigration-related concerns in the receiving country.

Migration System Theory

According to the notion, migration helps to transform the economic, social, cultural, and institutional circumstances in both the receiving and exporting countries. The System approach focuses on the macro and micro links of locations associated with the migration process. Migration System Theory highlights the reciprocal relationship between migration and development, which is important for establishing a theoretical framework that addresses migration in the context of greater development.

Institutional Theory

The theory is critical for developing a more advantageous and robust policy framework for both labor-sending and receiving nations, particularly in today’s climate. There is a significant mismatch between the enormous number of persons looking for work in industrialized nations and the restricted number of immigration visas available in these countries.

Cumulative Causation Theory

It depicts how the number of departing migrants grows over time as the first migrant offers social capital to family, friends, and others in the country of origin, allowing them to get work quickly and with less risk in destination nations. This condition encourages and motivates individuals to move in greater numbers. The System Theory and Network Theory might include the Cumulative Causation Theory.

Methodology

To undertake a qualitative study of Nigeria-Italy migration, direct and factual information from respondent perspective interviews is necessary to investigate the complicated and delicate real-life events, such as experiences, feelings, and opinions. Given the high response rate and flexibility, interviews are the most efficient method for collecting thorough information from respondents on the topic matter. As a result, the decision to employ interviews as the major form of data collection from the Nigerian migrants who are the respondents in this research. A second personal or individual interview employs semi-structured questions. Because the goal is to gather detailed information, following the guideline is critical because it is more appropriate for the research.

Determinants of Migration

Integration is described as the process through which economic migrants seeking refuge become officially accepted into the community, primarily via obtaining public services, legal permits, and labor market opportunities. Due to the preservation of limited common resources within the host nation, including housing facilities, water, land, and natural and mineral resources, a host community is unprepared to handle new entries (Drouhot & Nee, 2019). Migrants frequently face difficulties assimilating into host communities, resulting in problems in communal integration, harmonious living, commerce, cultural values, religious beliefs, language barriers, agricultural practices, economic activities, social integration, pastoralism, and other areas (McGinnity et al., 2020). The conflict between host communities and migrants always distorts social cohesiveness and leads to various societal degradation.

Cultural Challenges

Accepting cultural differences can be a challenging task for migrants. If they adopt these different cultures and begin creating an identity, it won’t be easy to keep everyone satisfied in both civilizations. However, a lack of cultural adaptation hinders inclusion, communication, and acceptance. It can be challenging to adjust to a new customs, environment, and lifestyle and might make one feel like they don’t belong anywhere (Obi et al., 2022). Most young immigrant families also do not want their children to forget their own culture to integrate into Italian society entirely. Finding a balance between the old and new cultures is tough, and this contradiction makes it difficult for them to settle into their new lives. It is nearly complicated for them to acclimate to the new culture if they spend too much time in their neighborhood and don’t participate in their new town and school (Obi-Ani et al., 2020). The fact that some Italians do not wish to accept the Nigerians into their culture and way of life is another aspect that makes cultural integration difficult for migrants. Stereotypes of Nigerian migrants are reinforced and influenced by media coverage.

Migrants having trouble adjusting to the culture may feel alone, unhappy, frightened, and under pressure. They may not want to engage in school, extracurricular activities, and community events due to the intimidation and fear of this new society. They are frequently bullied and discriminated against for being different. They may alter their values or ideas due to peer pressure to fit in and make concessions, and they may engage in risky actions. Due to their inability to strike a balance, some people see this as deculturation—the entire exchange of their original culture for Italian society (Varela, 2022). If they are welcomed into this new society, they might be viewed as a traitor in their home culture, resulting in tension and conflict within the family. Losing one’s identity might result from cultural change. Many youths who have moved experience insecurity, identity issues, and instability. Making decisions becomes tough as a result. The best way to live can be tough to determine.

Results and Findings

There is a difference in the treatment method between the Nigerians and the Italians. Those with legal documentation are also considered illegal immigrants (Ahrens, 2017). Covid pandemic worsened the situation since there was competition for the limited resources to be shared among the citizens and migrants. They did not receive proper healthcare treatment considering there were at risk of spreading the disease. Since belonging to a community entails several similarities and distinctions and borders with other communities, the concept of belonging is linked to the idea of the neighborhood. The Italians see the Nigerian migrants as a danger due to the presence of the “We” vs. “Them” narrative. Nigerian immigrants to Italy don’t understand how Italians behave; therefore, they travel to shelter homes to learn about different cultures. There is also the issue of religion, where the Italians assert that Muslims forbid outsiders, particularly Christians, from entering their nation. Immigrants who experience prejudice from social bridges may also feel threatened, which causes them to consider their identities and desire membership in a “safe space.” The migrants have a sense of being caught between two cultures. Still, they also want to protect their nation of origin’s identity, occasionally formed by stigmas and stereotypes.

Conclusion

The movement of people from one place to another is not a new phenomenon; it is as ancient as humanity itself, and there have been periodic episodes of widespread migration throughout history. However, the current surge in migratory flows poses enormous issues for the nations involved. Italy has to deal with one of the most intense migration pressures in recent history. Migration was difficult to solve via politics, and Italy had a swinging migration strategy: it swung from the notion of open gates to having one of Europe’s tightest immigration regulations but was ultimately ineffective in resolving the problem. All of this has never been part of a well-thought-out long-term integration agenda. In terms of immigration, a rising number of issues have arisen, with incidents that continue to confront society with their problematic character and unmanageability.

References

Ahrens, J. (2017). Imagined Futures: The Onward Migration of Nigerians in Europe (Doctoral dissertation, University of Sussex). Web.

Dimkpa, P. (2019). Africa-Europe migration: A qualitative analysis of Nigerian Migration to Europe via the Libya-mediterranean route. Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet. Web.

Dömös, M., & Tarrósy, I. (2019). Integration of migrants in Italy: local actors and African communities. Journal of Repozytorium. Web.

Drouhot, L. G., & Nee, V. (2019). Assimilation and the second generation in Europe and America: Blending and segregating social dynamics between immigrants and natives. Annual Review of Sociology, 45, 177-199.

Friebel, G., Manchin, M., Mendola, M., & Prarolo, G. (2018). International migration intentions and illegal costs: Evidence using Africa-to-Europe smuggling routes. Web.

Hawthorne, C. (2021). Making Italy: Afro-Italian entrepreneurs and the racial boundaries of citizenship. Social & Cultural Geography, 22(5), 704-724.

McGinnity, F., Enright, S., Quinn, E., Maitre, B., Privalko, I., Darmody, M., & Polakowski, M. (2020). Monitoring report on integration 2020. Dublin: The Economic and Social Research Institute.

Obi, C., Slosse, W., Bartolini, F., Dessein, J., & D’Haese, M. (2022). Understanding Integration Experience and Wellbeing of Economic-Asylum Seekers in Italy: The Case of Nigerian Immigrants. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 1-22.

Obi-Ani, P., Anthonia Obi-Ani, N., & Isiani, M. C. (2020). A historical perspective of Nigerian immigrants in Europe. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 7(1), 1846262.

Varela, D. (2022). The African Diaspora in Contemporary Italy: The Challenges of the Migration Crisis in Lampedusa.

Wickramasinghe, A. A. I. N., & Wimalaratana, W. (2017). International migration and migration theories. Social Affairs, 1(5), 13-32.

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