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Olugbemi. Adeyinka Ogunleye
5 days ago
Overview
The Japa Generation: Why 7 Out Of 10 Nigerian Youths Want To Relocate - The Rise of the “Japa” Dream
In today’s Nigeria, one word dominates youth conversations — Japa.
Borrowed from Yoruba slang meaning “to run away or escape,” it has become the most common dream for Nigerian youths. From WhatsApp groups to Sunday family tables, the question isn’t “Are you traveling?” but “When are you Japa-ing?”
The Numbers Behind the Trend
The African Development Bank (AfDB) recently revealed that over 50% of Nigerian youths are actively seeking opportunities abroad. Eyes Of Lagos reports, 7 in 10 young Nigerians say they would relocate permanently if given the chance. A 2024 NOI Poll showed that education, job opportunities, and safety rank as the top three reasons. Between 2019 and 2023, Canada alone issued over 100,000 study permits to Nigerians, making Nigeria its fastest-growing source country for students.
Why Youths Are Japa-ing?
1. Economic Frustration
Inflation and unemployment leave many Lagos youths disillusioned. With over 40% youth unemployment, the search for greener pastures is almost inevitable.
2. Education and Career Growth
Foreign universities promise global-standard education and better career networks. Many leave for degrees, but most stay back to work.
3. Security Concerns
From kidnapping headlines to urban crime, safety is a daily concern in Lagos and beyond. Japa represents escape and peace of mind.
4. Peer Influence
Every youth knows someone who has Japa-ed. Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp statuses amplify the dream, making it look easy and glamorous.
5. Weak Trust in Governance
Decades of corruption, broken promises, and poor infrastructure fuel a deep belief that Nigeria cannot change anytime soon.
The Cultural Impact
The Japa wave is not just about passports — it’s changing Nigerian culture:
Family separation: Parents watch children scatter across continents.
Churches and mosques: Fewer youths in congregations, more prayers for visas.
Relationships: Long-distance marriages and “relocate or break up” ultimatums.
Music & Pop culture: Afrobeat lyrics now reference visas, airports, and foreign life.
The Double-Edged Sword
While the exodus creates a brain drain — with doctors, engineers, and creatives leaving — it also brings opportunities through remittances. Nigerians abroad sent $20 billion back home in 2023, sustaining families and businesses.
Final Thoughts
The Japa Generation is rewriting what it means to be Nigerian. For many, patriotism is no longer about staying, but about surviving and thriving elsewhere.
Whether this wave becomes a permanent loss or a global expansion of Nigerian influence depends on how Nigeria addresses the very issues pushing its best and brightest away.
Until then, the chant remains the same:
“Anywhere but here.”
Credit: EyeofLagos
