By Deborah T. Anaelechi
The choice to stay in Nigeria or leave has been a great debate that determines one’s level of patriotism.
In recent years, the Yoruba word, Japa (which means flee or escape), has become a global lexicon and an interpretation for the rising number of young professionals, students, and families seeking better means of livelihood abroad.
For some, leaving is the only ticket to attaining the freedom and lifestyle they wish for, while to others, staying back and contributing to Nigeria’s development is the most patriotic thing to do.
That brings us to the crux of the matter: Is migration truly a loss for Nigeria? And if one must go, can it still favour both country and citizen?
Migration isn’t a new phenomenon; it’s a fundamental human right. Nigerians have long travelled abroad for education, employment, or improved living conditions.
However, what makes modern migration quite interesting is the immensity of it. Many Nigerians, especially the youth, finding greener pastures, migrate every year to countries such as the US, the UK, Germany, France, China, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries with better socio-economic conditions.
Although the decision to japa is deeply personal with different intents, there are growing concerns about the brain drain’s impact on the country’s development. It isn’t surprising that many Nigerian skilled professionals are in some countries in the diaspora because of the stronger economies and better living standards.
Many Africans, specifically Nigerians, pursue higher education and career advancement in highly developed countries with better opportunities. A notable historical example is the brain drain of the 1980s, when Nigerian academics and university lecturers relocated to North America and Western Europe because of poor remuneration and unfavourable working conditions in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
A more contemporary example is the Nigerian medical professionals migrating, especially to the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia. These locations offer adequate salaries, advanced medical technologies, and wider options for career growth than what is attainable in Nigeria. The global market for skilled healthcare workers in these countries further pushes this trend.
According to Ifediba (2024), the Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria revealed that as of October 2024, over 42,000 nurses had left the country in the past three years. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Health reported that 16,000 doctors have migrated, leaving approximately 55,000 licensed doctors to cater to around 220 million Nigerians.
On the flip side, japa doesn’t explicitly translate to loss, but for meaningful contribution. The Nigerian diaspora contributes a lot to the economy, with remittances reaching nearly $90 billion in the past five years.
Aside from their financial contributions, the diaspora plays a vital role in national development through skills transfer, mentorship, and investment. The real question, then, is not whether people should migrate, but how migration can be harnessed to benefit Nigeria.
At the recent International Conference on Communication and Development in Africa by the Institute of Strategic Development Communication (ISDEVCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, emphasised that the dialogue centred on japa should shift from brain drain to brain circulation.
Experienced Nigerians in the diaspora shouldn’t just leave and forget home; rather, they should keep ties back home to invest socially, intellectually, economically, and even politically for national development.
Other experts at the conference mirrored this idea. Ms. Paola Pace, Chief of Mission, IOM Nigeria, expressed that migration, though a fundamental human right, should be done in a regular and strategic fashion.
Also, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, DG National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), highlighted the dangers of irregular migration, including human trafficking and organ harvesting.
Similarly, Amb. Zissmos Vergos, Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union and ECOWAS, advised Nigerian youths to have realistic expectations about life abroad, as migration should be a bridge, not an escape.
The last phrase brings another key player tied to this trend — the media. The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception of migration.
Too often, Nigerians hear very glamourised stories of the ‘abroad lifestyle’ without the full picture of challenges, such as racism, underemployment, or cultural isolation.
Another aspect is the stereotype often publicised by some media outlets about African migrants, portraying them as ‘fraudulent,’ ‘uncultured,’ ‘primitive,’ ‘war-torn,’ or ‘poverty-stricken,’ without showcasing the success stories of these migrants excelling in their fields of endeavour.
Therefore, the media need to ensure balanced and accurate reporting to help people make informed decisions.
At the same time, policymakers must create an environment where migration is a choice and not a necessity.
It is not enough to ask young Nigerians to stay if they stand to gain more opportunities outside their homeland. Therefore, the government must invest in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to create sustainable growth.
Again, avenues for scholarships, startup grants, and job creation schemes should be introduced.
The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided avenues such as the National Students Loan Fund, the Consumer Credit Scheme, etc., to cushion the harsh economic effects, but more platforms need to be achieved.
Outside of government policies and media portrayals, it must be at the back of our minds the duty we owe this country as patriotic people of Nigeria.
If one chooses to travel abroad, it must be done honourably and correctly; irregular migration paints a bad picture for Nigeria.
The next thing should be proper comportment as a worthy ambassador of the nation.
Another factor is to seek the relevance between their relocation and home investment while finding their purpose in all of these.
Nigerians in the diaspora should ask, what role will they play in their home country’s future? Can they use their expertise and resources to foster change?
For those who leave, it means giving back, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for others.
It means investing in local startups, mentoring young professionals, and transferring world-class standards to professionals and upcoming ones in the different sectors in Nigeria.
More importantly, it should be noted that success abroad doesn’t have to come at the expense of abandoning one’s roots.
For those who choose to stay, it means becoming part of the solution: demanding accountability, driving innovation, and strengthening local businesses.
It’s about finding ways to make a better Nigeria, in spite of its many challenges.
This means embracing entrepreneurship, investing in communities, and becoming responsible and patriotic citizens.
Furthermore, there’s a shared obligation to build a community that gives people the motivation to stay.
A country’s true strength lies in its ability to harness the potential of its citizens, whether at home or in the diaspora.
So, Nigerians at home must ask themselves, what practical steps can be taken to help Nigeria become a land of opportunity?
The perception of japa should not be regarded as a “death sentence” to Nigeria or any country facing such.
Rather, it should be viewed as a strategic move that will mutually benefit both those who leave, those remaining, and Nigeria, which is referred to as brain circulation.
In conclusion, the choice to make the country better than it was is a collective effort, a civic and patriotic duty of all Nigerians, regardless of one’s location.
So, to japa or not to japa? That remains a question.
