Nigerians on the Move: 69% of Youths Are Planning to Japa – Report Reveals.
The revelation has elicited noise in the country following a new report that has shown that 69 per cent of the youth in Nigeria are currently making plans to move to a foreign country due to the attractive prospects being in countries where they are not from. The phrase has turned into a cultural acronym of trying to get out of the looming economic and social problems in Nigeria.
Exit on A Massive Scale: The report points to the facts concerning the fact that 69 percent of the Nigerian youths between the age of 18 and 35 are actively planning their relocation.
“More than two-thirds of Nigerian youths are not just considering relocation—they are actively preparing to leave. This shows a crisis in confidence,”
— Africa Polling Institute (API) Migration Study, 2024
Source: Vanguard.
Why?
- Unemployment, hiking living standards and insecurity.
- Failure to believe in the system of governance and future careers.
- This movement is affected by social media and success stories of the diaspora.
Preferred Destinations:
The leading targets are those found in Canada, UK, Australia and the US.
Others also seek the sanctions of the Middle Eastern and Schengen nations which offer work and study opportunities.
Why should this be a concern
Such a tendency has both extensive implications:
Brain Drain: Physicians, engineers, IT-talented employees as well as talented craftsmen are flying the nest - diluting the ability of Nigeria to develop.
Emotional Cost: Separation of families is occurring. People are selling houses or even taking loans so that they can be able to move.
National Outlook: It is an expression of high level of loss of hope in the future of the nation on the part of a productive segment of the population.
What To Watch
Does the government stand up to deal with the causes of this migration spill?
Can such policies as youth empowerment, improved governance and creation of employment opportunities check the trend?
Is there a danger of exploitation in another country to the desperate migrants?
The word of mouth trend is also referred to as the Japa wave and it is not merely a trend but a silent protest against this Nigerian system. Unless the youngsters find some bright, credible and empowering kind of opportunities at home, they are going to seek an escape passage. And each time another talent goes, the future in Nigeria will eclipse a bit.