Nigerians In Bahrain: A Vibrant Community Abroad

Yes, there are Nigerians living in Bahrain. However, the exact number is unknown. Nigerians in Bahrain have historically been treated with suspicion and discrimination, with the Bahraini government treating them as potential Ebola carriers. This has resulted in restricted movement and limited access to visas and residency permits for Nigerians, making it challenging for them to live and work in the country. Despite these challenges, some Nigerians have managed to establish themselves in Bahrain, particularly in fields like athletics and business.

Nigerians in Bahrain face an Ebola stigma

Nigerians living in Bahrain are facing stigmatisation due to the Ebola virus, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the country free from the disease in 2014. This stigma has led to families being separated, with some Nigerians unable to bring their families to live with them in Bahrain, and others unable to return to the country after visiting Nigeria.

A History of Ebola in Nigeria

Nigeria was one of the countries affected by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which was the worst in history. The country's first case was imported by Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, who flew into Nigeria from Liberia and died 3 days later. The Nigerian government swiftly took action, monitoring all those who had been in contact with Sawyer and announcing a National Emergency on Ebola. The country was declared Ebola-free by the WHO in October 2014.

Ongoing Stigma in Bahrain

Despite Nigeria's success in containing the Ebola outbreak, Nigerians in Bahrain continue to face stigmatisation and discrimination. According to a report by Pulse, the Bahraini government treats all Nigerians as potential Ebola patients, and the country has had an "Ebola ban" on Nigeria since 2014. This has made it extremely difficult for Nigerians to obtain a Bahraini visa, and those who do manage to enter the country face suspicion and discrimination.

Impact on Families

The stigma has had a significant impact on Nigerian families, with some unable to bring their families to live with them in Bahrain. Sunday Ogunkoya, a Nigerian expatriate in Bahrain, shared his story with Pulse, expressing his pain at being separated from his wife and children, who are unable to join him due to the visa restrictions. He also mentioned friends who had travelled to Nigeria and were unable to return to Bahrain due to the ban.

Calls for Diplomatic Action

Ogunkoya and other Nigerian expatriates in Bahrain have called on the Nigerian government to establish diplomatic ties with Bahrain and resolve the issue. They have also reached out to government officials and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) for assistance, but have received little response. Ogunkoya believes that diplomatic action is needed to address the stigma and normalise relations between the two countries.

Nigerian athletes emigrating to Bahrain

Nigerians are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from the country. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of Nigerian athletes emigrating to Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf. This phenomenon has been dubbed the "Bahrain Drain" and has raised concerns about the future of Nigerian participation in international sports competitions like the Olympics.

Bahrain has a history of recruiting foreign-born athletes, and Nigerian athletes are giving up their nationality and identity to pursue opportunities and better support in Bahrain. According to Bambo Akani, founder of Making of Champions, there were up to five Nigerian-born athletes at the World U20 Championships for Bahrain, and seven set to represent the country at the Rio Olympics. Akani attributes this to the lack of a functioning athletics development structure in Nigeria.

Some of the notable Nigerian athletes who have emigrated to Bahrain include Precious Moses (now Moussa Ali Issa), Endurance Essien Udoh (now Iman Isa Jassim), Lolade Shodiya (now Basira Sharifa Nasir), Abbas Abubakar Abbas, Kemi Adekoya, Ofonime Odiong, and Femi Ogunode. Kemi Adekoya, a former world indoor champion, even led Team Bahrain at the Olympics and won the women's 400m gold medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championship in Portland, USA.

The emigration of these talented athletes is a result of the Nigerian government's neglect and lack of support for its athletes. Nigerian athletes have reported being left stranded in foreign airports, going without food, and lacking a conducive and competitive environment to train and develop their talents. The government's failure to provide adequate resources and infrastructure has pushed these athletes to seek opportunities in countries like Bahrain, which actively recruits foreign talent.

However, the practice of naturalization, which allows athletes to change their citizenship and national allegiances, is controversial. While it provides athletes with flexibility and opportunities, it can also be seen as a way for countries like Bahrain to exploit talent from poorer nations, crowding out local emerging talents. Additionally, the athletic consequences for countries losing their star athletes can be dire, impacting their performance in international competitions.

The situation is complex and multifaceted, and it remains to be seen whether interventions will be made to support and retain Nigerian athletes or if the trend of emigration to countries like Bahrain will continue.

Bahrain's treatment of Nigerian visa applications

Nigerians require a visa to enter Bahrain, and while it is possible for Nigerian citizens to obtain one, the process is not straightforward. In fact, one source states that applying for a Bahraini visa as a Nigerian is "doubly difficult".

The Bahraini government has placed an Ebola ban on Nigeria since 2014, and for a time, no airline from Nigeria could fly to Bahrain. This has resulted in some Nigerian families being separated, with family members unable to gain access to the country.

Nigerian citizens can apply for a Bahraini visa online, but they must be present when applying for the eVisa. The visa is valid for a period of 30 days and allows a short-term stay. The eVisa must be used within 30 days of issuance. A total of 8 documents are required to apply for the eVisa, including a passport, passport photo, bank statement, travel itinerary, and accommodation reservation. The application form must be completed accurately and legibly, and incomplete or incorrect forms may result in delays or denial of the visa application.

It is important to note that the visa application fee is non-refundable, so applicants should carefully review their application and supporting documents before submitting them. The processing time for the visa is typically a few days, and if the application is approved, the applicant will receive their visa via email.

Nigerians who have obtained residency visas and are already living in Bahrain have not faced issues, but for those outside of Bahrain seeking to enter the country, the visa application process is challenging.

The Bahraini government's attitude towards Nigerians

Nigerians in Bahrain report that they are treated as Ebola patients, and their family members back home are restricted from entering the country. This has resulted in the separation of families and a sense of isolation and emptiness among Nigerians in Bahrain. The process of obtaining a Bahraini visa for Nigerians has also become increasingly difficult, with some individuals being deported upon arrival.

The Bahraini government's stance has caused Nigerians in the country to feel unwelcome and unwanted. They believe that the Nigerian government has not done enough to establish diplomatic ties and resolve the issue. Nigerians in Bahrain are calling for the intervention of government officials to address the situation and improve relations between the two countries.

The number of Nigerians living in Bahrain

Nigerians do live in Bahrain, but it is unclear how many there are.

Nigerians in Bahrain have reported facing discrimination and stigmatization due to the Bahraini government's treatment of them as potential Ebola carriers. This has resulted in difficulties for Nigerians trying to obtain visas or enter the country, with some even being deported upon arrival. There are also reports of Nigerians already residing in Bahrain facing challenges in bringing their families into the country.

Despite these challenges, some Nigerians have found opportunities in Bahrain, particularly in the field of athletics. Several Nigerian-born athletes have represented Bahrain in international competitions, including the Olympics and the World U20 Championships.

In terms of demographics, Bahrain is a diverse country with a significant proportion of non-nationals making up more than half of its population. However, specific data on the number of Nigerians living in Bahrain is not readily available.

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