It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 people of Nigerian extraction living across the 6 States and 2 Territories of Australia. In the 1960’s and early 1970’s there were rarely any Nigerian living in Australia, but the mid 1970’s and early 80s saw few Nigerians coming to Australia, usually for educational purposes. Following the end of racist White Australia policy by the Whitlam Labour government in 1973 and establishment of a policy of multiculturalism, more migrants began moving to Australia, including few Nigerians who arrived for study and rarely as skilled migrants.
The White Australia policy which was started in 1901 (Immigration Restriction Act of 1901) was a historical policy that forbade people of non-European ethnic origins from immigrating to Australia. The distance and lack of social and economic connectedness was also an impediment as many Nigerians preferred the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA which they knew a bit more and had relatives.
The last 20 years has seen more Nigerians migrate to Australia due to its commitment to multiculturalism, strong economy and political stability. Most first generation Nigerians in Australia and their children can be found succeeding in business, academia, health care, other government departments and mineral resources industries, contributing multimillion dollars in productive capacity to Australia’s economic prosperity. Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa and the 7th most populous in the world is made up of diverse peoples and cultures which adds colour to Australia’s thriving multiculturalism.