Nigeria has been home to a remarkable Lebanese presence since the latter half of the twentieth century, particularly in the vibrant cosmopolitan cities of Kano, Lagos, and Ibadan. Many migrants-having actively established and sustained a significant commercial presence-have become Nigerian citizens, often mastering various Nigerian languages while retaining their distinct Lebanese-Arab cultural roots. This persisting migratory trend underscores Nigeria’s enduring appeal as a desirable destination for Lebanese migrants.
Although the Lebanese presence in Nigeria became more visible in the latter half of the twentieth century, the migration trajectory predates Nigeria’s ‘formation’ or the amalgamation of northern and southern protectorates in 1914. It reportedly began in the late 19th century with the arrival of Ilyas al-Khuri, a Maronite from Miziara in northern Lebanon in the 1890s. Other early migrants, such as Assad Yusuf and Ilyas Minaise, also stood out as early economic migrants traversing in search of a better life. Reports indicate that Lebanese families primarily began emigrating from the villages of Miziara and Jwaya after Ilyas al-Khuri settled in Lagos.
Whether by accident or design, the Lebanese diaspora in Nigeria stood at an estimated 6,000 people by the time of Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960: a significant number at the time. These Lebanese populations resided in differing numbers across several of Nigeria’s major cities-including Lagos (1,500), Kano (1,000), Ibadan (500), Jos (300), Zaria (200)-as well as many other cities such as Gusau, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Calabar, Benin, and Kaduna, with numbers ranging between 20 and 100.
These populations have continued to grow through the settlement of descendants and subsequent waves of new arrivals. Some individuals are now fourth-generation Lebanese-Nigerians-and in February 2022, the Nigerian government under President Muhammadu Buhari granted citizenship to 108 Lebanese individuals.
Early Drivers of Migration
Several lines of enquiry arise from this history. Why did these Lebanese migrants choose to migrate to what later became Nigeria-particularly during a period when it was a relatively unknown British colonial protectorate? What characterizes the commercial and politico-economic dynamics of Lebanese migration to Nigeria? And what continues to pull Lebanese migrants to settle in Nigeria today? These questions have been subject to much scholarly attention, including by political scientist Bayly Winder in his 1962 article on the Lebanese in West Africa and Nigerian historian Toyin Falola in his 1990 article entitled Lebanese Traders in Southwestern Nigeria, 1900-1960.
Read also: Culture and Challenges for Nigerian Women
Peculiarly, it has been suggested by scholars that some migrants may have in fact intended to reach America but were deceived by shipping agents in Marseilles, ending up on ships bound for Dakar or St. Louis in Senegal. Others may have knowingly headed towards West Africa, unable to meet the strict criteria for United States (US) migration or lacking sufficient funds to cross the Atlantic. Having collected funds from their often-poor families in the hope of sending back remittances upon reaching the ‘New World’, they were not ready to return home empty-handed.
Falola has also highlighted poverty, the quest for survival, underdevelopment, as well as political and religious tensions as factors driving early Lebanese migrants.
Enduring Appeal of Nigeria
So why do the Lebanese continue to find Nigeria attractive, particularly amid Nigeria’s recent economic struggles? Many are incentivized by the success of long-established Lebanese businesses by earlier migrants. Stories like those of many other prosperous Lebanese migrants in Nigeria, are also likely to further attract more Lebanese-whether from other intermediary countries or from Lebanon itself, which faces political instability and cross-border conflicts with Syria and Israel. Many Lebanese Nigerians also hold multiple citizenships, retaining their Lebanese nationality while holding passports from other countries such as the UK.
Nigeria and Lebanon share diplomatic ties, fostering economic and cultural exchanges.
Community Dynamics and Commercial Activities
The Lebanese Nigerian community-like many diaspora communities elsewhere-are marked by tight-knit networks that have enabled and sustained their overriding commercial successes. Research conducted by Peter Adebayo between 2000 and 2008 across cities such as Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Calabar-as well as in the Lebanese villages of Miziara and Jwaya-found that 80 per cent of Lebanese Nigerians rely on a communal support system of family members, friends, and business contacts for their various enterprises.
Read also: Traditions of the Himba People
These commercial activities span trading, transport, mining, import-export businesses, manufacturing, and media.
Lebanese Community, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria 🇳🇬
Experiences of Lebanese Migrants
Eddie Bahnam, who moved to Nigeria 15 years ago, shared his initial frustrations with the lack of basic amenities but also noted the strong sense of community and friendliness of the people. He also said:
"Nigeria has the tag of being corrupt or unsafe but this is just because of mass media. I feel much safer here than in Paris after 10 o’clock at night. I don’t care how foreigners or the media depicts Nigeria or generally West Africa. People are super-friendly. The sense of community is much stronger here. You will get help if you encounter trouble on the street, whereas in Europe nobody will care. Corruption - I think it’s blown out of proportion."
Philanthropic Contributions
Transnational philanthropy is an adjunct to remittances. This is a process by which migrants in the diaspora allocate a certain portion of their remittances to fund development projects in their home societies.
Formal structures, through which migrants make philanthropic donations, include religious, district, village, or other organizations of common interest, non-governmental organizations; and public relations and lobbying associations outside of the home country. In this respect, the Lebanese Ladies Society of Nigeria - a non-profit, voluntary humanitarian organization established in 1975 - has been involved in charitable activities offering scholarships to indigent students and donating to orphans in Lagos.
Read also: Egyptian Society Through Cartoons
In normal times, migrants donate funds to good causes, such as churches or mosques, construction/renovation, rural schools, cemetery improvements, health facilities, rest homes for the elderly, and orphanages. A typical example of this in Nigeria is the donation of a renovated old family building by the Moukarim family, which the Jigawa state government converted into a hospital (the Faiz Moukarim General Hospital, named after the first Lebanese to settle in the village of Majia).
The Hajig family renovated a girls’ secondary school, renovated Government College Birini Kudu, and constructed a 1.5 kilometer road leading to the school in Jigawa State. Similarly, the El-Khalil family helped renovate some secondary schools in Kano State. In the city of Ibadan, Raymond Zard has provided scholarships to 15 students drawn from various universities across the country.
In 1992, Chief Marcel Chagouri built the Mother of Mercies religious monastery for the elderly in Miziara village in northern Lebanon. Mother of Mercies also has served as a religious pilgrimage center.
Integration and Identity
Lebanese-Nigerians have succeeded, not only in maintaining contact with their home villages and elsewhere, but they also have forged local-global linkages and transnational networks. By facilitating interactions between Nigeria and the homeland (Lebanon) and among the Lebanese-Nigerian diaspora (e.g., in Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, and the United States), these links have created a “transnational abode.” They also have fostered the development of e-commerce.
Their history in Nigeria dates back to the early 20th century when Lebanese immigrants, primarily from the region of Mount Lebanon, which is now part of modern-day Lebanon, began to settle in the country. Initially, many Lebanese immigrants were involved in trade, particularly in textiles, foodstuffs, and other consumer goods.
Over time, they established a strong presence in key Nigerian cities like Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, where they built successful businesses and developed extensive trade networks. In the post-independence era, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, Lebanese immigrants in Nigeria expanded their presence further, contributing to sectors like manufacturing, construction, and retail. The Lebanese community's involvement in these industries helped spur economic growth, creating thousands of jobs and generating significant tax revenues for the Nigerian government.
Culturally, the Lebanese community has also enriched Nigerian society. Lebanese Nigerians have blended their own customs with Nigerian traditions, creating a unique cultural fusion that includes Lebanese food, music, and festivals.
Lebanese Nigerians have introduced Lebanese cuisine to Nigeria, enriching the country's culinary landscape.
Popular articles:
tags: #Nigeria
