Japa
“Japa” is a Nigerian slang, Yoruba word that means “to run away” or “to flee.” It has evolved to describe the trend of Nigerians, particularly young people, leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad, often due to economic challenges, insecurity, or a desire for improved quality of life.
History of Japa
The Japa syndrome started in the early years of independence when Africa witnessed various degrees of migration. In the early post-independence days, many left the country to study through scholarship.
The desire to 'japa' became more noticeable post-COVID-19 and has become the new normal, especially among the youths and young adults. It is a massive transnational migration of Nigerians to Europe. Some of them travel through illegal routes, porous land borders, the Sahara, and across the Mediterranean to get to Europe, and some through legalised routes with the required documents.
Reasons for Japa
Many reasons have been given for the cause of the Japa syndrome.
Declining economic conditions
Nigeria’s poor economic condition is one of the major reasons many Nigerians leave the country. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019, the living conditions of many Nigerians were below average, with inflation, unemployment, and other economic hardships.
Career projection
The zeal to study abroad to pursue a more lucrative career led some people to travel abroad.
Dependents' future ‘security’
Under the pretence of studying abroad, many Nigerians travel with their immediate family to ‘secure’ their future, give them a better life and nurture them in a working environment.
Obsession with japa
Some have the mindset that they can never be successful in Nigeria, thus the need to ‘japa’. A category of individuals holds a strong opinion and a misguided conviction that they will never succeed in Nigeria unless they migrate to other countries.
Insecurity
The state of insecurity in Nigeria has heightened the fear of many Nigerians to move their family to a secure environment. The increasing rate of kidnapping, armed robbery, lack of basic health care and job insecurity led to many families falling apart due to migration.
