Nigeria’s economic struggles have sparked a massive exodus of its citizens, particularly young people, seeking better opportunities in developed countries.
This phenomenon, dubbed “Japa” by Nigerians, has become a pressing concern. Oladunjoye Omolaja, a 39-year-old IT engineer, exemplifies this trend.
Despite being certified in Information Technology and Communication, he faced significant challenges securing employment in Nigeria.
“Gaining employment was difficult,” Omolaja recalled. “Most jobs are gotten by knowing someone. You have to go through fire before you can get anything positive. So I asked myself why I was suffering here in Nigeria.”
Omolaja’s experience resonates with many Nigerians, driving them to seek greener pastures abroad.
According to the 2023 global migration data, Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest migration desire worldwide.
Other African countries in this category include Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, the Republic of the Congo, the Gambia, and Comoros. A staggering 37% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa wish to leave their countries permanently, the highest aspiration rate globally.
The desire to migrate in sub-Saharan Africa remains steadfast, with 37% of adults seeking to leave, surpassing the 29% recorded in 2011.
Nine countries, including Nigeria, have migration desires near or above 50%.
This trend transcends regional boundaries, with migrant-sending regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and migrant-receiving regions like the US and Canada, exhibiting increased desire for migration.
Globally, 16% of adults, approximately 900 million people, expressed a desire to leave their country permanently. The US and Canada, traditionally top destinations, are experiencing a paradoxical trend. Despite being desired destinations, 20% of Canadians and 17% of US citizens want to leave permanently.
The US tops the list of destination countries, with 18% of potential migrants, approximately 170 million adults, naming it as their desired future residence. Canada ranks second, with 9% of potential migrants, around 85 million people, seeking to relocate.
Nigeria’s “Japa syndrome” has significant implications for the country’s human resources. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that thousands of young Nigerians attempt to irregularly migrate abroad annually, driven by economic desperation.
The Gallup report’s findings are based on interviews with nearly 146,000 adults in 142 countries.
As global migration continues to rise, Nigeria’s economic struggles and migration desires remain pressing concerns, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s economic and social development.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes that permanent-type migration in 2022 reached unprecedented levels in its 38 member countries.
