Nigerian graduate Olotu Olanrewaju finds himself at a crossroads—should he stay in the country he loves or seek a better life elsewhere?
At 24, the electrical engineer cherishes Nigeria’s rich culture, delicious food, vibrant music, and deep sense of community. But professionally, he feels stuck.
“I’m looking for greener pastures and better opportunities, rather than getting stuck here in Nigeria,” he told the BBC’s What in the World podcast, adding that he believes his degree would be “more appreciated” abroad.
It’s not just about career limitations—power cuts, security concerns, corruption, and poor governance create daily obstacles for young professionals like Olanrewaju. He is part of the growing wave of young Nigerians embracing the “Japa” movement—a Yoruba term meaning “to escape.”
The Japa Phenomenon
Leaving Nigeria in search of better opportunities isn’t new. Since the 1980s, many middle-class Nigerians have sought economic stability abroad. But for Gen Z and millennials, the urgency is greater than ever.
A 2022 African Polling Institute survey found that 69% of Nigerians aged 18-35 would relocate if given the opportunity—up from just 39% in 2019.
Social media is flooded with #Japa stories. Some share heartfelt messages about missing home, while others flaunt the advantages of relocation, encouraging peers to follow suit.
However, leaving isn’t cheap. The rising cost of living and the declining naira have made relocation even more challenging.
The Reality of Migration
For professionals and university graduates, legal migration routes are more accessible. With in-demand skills and higher education, securing jobs and visas in the UK, Canada, Germany, or the US becomes easier.
For years, Olanrewaju and his parents have saved up for his move. His top choices? Germany or Spain. To boost his chances, he has enrolled in German language classes.
His older brother Daniel, 27, already made the move to Scotland two years ago. Now a photographer and social worker in Aberdeen, he tells his brother about Scotland’s efficient infrastructure—reliable electricity, water, and transportation.
Similarly, Oluwatobi Abodunrin, 29, left Nigeria for London last year, chasing career growth.
“Nigeria is filled with passionate, active youths who want more from their careers,” she says. “We are highly talented, we want to be recognised, we want our voice to be heard and we want to be respected.”
She acknowledges the emotional struggle of leaving loved ones behind but is confident that her decision was the right one.
Popular Japa Destinations
With over 270,000 Nigerians living in the UK, it remains a top destination. Post-Brexit immigration rule changes led to a quadrupling of UK work visas for Nigerians since 2019.
However, the UK has responded by tightening work visa rules.
Meanwhile, Canada’s “Japa Rush” has seen a threefold increase in Nigerian residents since 2015. The US remains another top destination.
Back in Nigeria, students like Elizabeth Ademuyi Anuoluwapo, a zoology major, acknowledge the emotional and financial difficulties of leaving but believe it’s the only way to achieve stability.
“I’d miss my people, my food, my friends, my family. The vibe here is very cosy,” she says. “Maybe I’d go for a few years and then come back.”
Japa and the Nigerian Healthcare Crisis
The Nigerian Medical Association reported in 2022 that at least 50 doctors leave the country every week. This mass exodus has put an already struggling healthcare system under immense pressure.
To address the crisis, the government proposed a five-year mandatory service period for medical graduates, but the move was fiercely opposed by doctors’ unions.
Similarly, nurses are now required to work in Nigeria for at least two years before seeking jobs abroad.
Why Some Choose to Stay
Not everyone is choosing the Japa route.
Dr. Vongdip Nankpah, a University of Abuja teaching hospital doctor, believes in staying to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“If I’m going to maximise my medical practice, I’d rather remain in Nigeria to see if we can better the country and the region,” he says.
Olanrewaju, however, doesn’t feel guilty for wanting to leave.
“Most of my personal growth and gains, I worked for them myself,” he explains. Instead, he sees himself as a representative of Nigerians abroad, standing for those without the opportunity to leave.
For many, Japa offers a path to a better future—financial stability, career growth, and adventure. But it comes at a cost: distance from home, family, and culture.
Now, like thousands of young Nigerians, Olanrewaju weighs the pros and cons of staying versus leaving—a deeply personal decision with no easy answers.
