Bridging Expectations and Realities
The literature reviewed collectively offers a rich exploration of the experiences of highly educated African immigrants, focusing on Nigerian professionals navigating career development, cultural assimilation, and social integration in the United States
Overview
Adopting a narrative summary method to write my literature review helped me to align the depth of my literature to the 4-sub research questions which resulted in the 4 themes below. The questions I asked the participants are based on these 4 themes with additional questions on demographic information and policy recommendations.
Push and Pull Factors Driving Migration
Key Focus
Motivations for migration including economic and political instability in Nigeria and perceived professional opportunity in the US
Insights
Migration is driven by the hope of professional advancement, but the reality includes significant personal, institutional, and career recalibration upon arrival.
Supporting Sources
Arthur (2014), Oyebamiji & Asuelime (2019), Batalova & Zong (2017), Maryland Population and Migration Trends (2023)
Systemic Barriers to Professional Integration
Key Focus
Credential non-recognition, discriminatory hiring, underemployment, restrictive visa policies, and lack of licensing pathways.
Insights
Despite advanced degrees, Nigerian immigrants face mismatches between qualifications and job roles. Structural barriers, including licensing delays and immigration status, prevent access to commensurate employment.
Supporting Sources
Thomas (2010), Capps et al. (2012), Migration Policy Institute (2015), Elo et al. (2015), Agubuzo (2024), Ozoude (2020), Arthur (2000), Oleribe & de la Fuente (2022)
Career Adaptation and Resilience Strategies
Key Focus
Pursuing further education, mentorship, leveraging community networks, resilience in the face of cultural and economic marginalization.
Insights
Many immigrants adopt strategic pathways to adapt, including returning to school, building peer support networks, and seeking informal mentorship or entrepreneurship.
Supporting Sources
Arthur (2014), Bayor (2018), Ozoude (2020), Agubuzo (2024), Ogomaka (2019), Oleribe & de la Fuente (2022)
Cultural Assimilation and Social Integration
Key Focus
Navigating US workplace norms, identity negotiation, gender and racial bias, maintaining ties to Nigerian culture.
Insights
Cultural differences and social misinterpretations affect career success and emotional wellbeing. Social networks are both a source of support and constraint.
Supporting Sources
Bayor (2018), Kebede (2020), Agubuzo (2024), Bashi (2007), Okome (2012), Corra (2023)
Gaps in the Literature
- Overgeneralization of African Immigrants
- Most existing studies analyze “African immigrants” as a broad category without disaggregating by nationality or profession.
- There is a lack of focused research on Nigerian professionals, particularly those in healthcare, engineering, and leadership roles.
- Under exploration of Maryland as a Case Study
- While some national-level data exist, there is limited regional analysis on how specific states like Maryland, with high concentrations of Nigerian immigrants, uniquely impact their career and social outcomes.
- Lack of Intersectional Analysis (Gender, Race, Immigration Status)
- There’s insufficient research on the intersection of race, gender, and immigration status, particularly how Nigerian women navigate leadership roles and professional advancement.
- Many studies overlook the distinct experiences of Nigerian women who face both gendered and racialized barriers in the workplace.
- Limited Focus on Credential Devaluation and Professional Mismatch
- Few studies explore in depth how credential non-recognition leads to education–occupation mismatches and chronic underemployment.
- Existing research often fails to connect policy and institutional failures with these mismatches in a way that informs local solutions.
- Underrepresentation of Cultural Identity and Transnational Tensions
- There is a gap in studies that examine how cultural identity, assimilation, and transnational ties shape career decisions and social integration.
- The psychological and emotional burden of identity negotiation between Nigerian and American norms is under-researched.
- Informal Networks and Cultural Capital Understudied
- Most literature does not adequately address how informal community networks (e.g., churches, ethnic associations) serve as survival and adaptation tools.
- The role of entrepreneurship, mentorship, and re-skilling as forms of cultural capital is under-analyzed.
- Insufficient Narrative and Qualitative Evidence
- Many existing studies rely on quantitative data and lack rich, story-driven insights into how immigrants navigate systemic barriers.
- Personal perspectives, lived experiences, and qualitative evidence are underutilized in informing policy and workforce development strategies.