Nigerian Migration Patterns: Exploring The Factors Behind The Japa Syndrome

The unprecedented mass migration of Nigerian youths for greener pastures in recent years has continued with no end in sight. Dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the country, thousands of youths and even older adults have left Nigeria for advanced countries despite the huge financial cost involved.

A Pew Research Centre study conducted in 2018 shows that Nigeria tops the chart of people who intend to migrate to another country within the next five years, with 48% among the 12 countries sampled for the survey.

Another report by the UK government revealed that 13,609 Nigerian healthcare workers were granted working visas in 2021. This number makes Nigeria second only to the 42,966 from India. These statistics indicate that, since the civil war over 50 years ago, the current wave of relocation has never been experienced.

In a bid to evade the aversive and strangulating socioeconomic climate, young people and middle-aged Nigerians have sought refuge in “Japa”- (a Yoruba slang for escape) from the country at the slightest opportunity. The need for the safety of life and properties, access to undisrupted qualitative education, and gainful employment opportunities represent the major causes of the current Japa wave.

Effect of Mass Migration on the Citizens and the Nigerian Economy

The current Japa syndrome portends great danger to the citizens and the Nigerian economy at large. One of such dangers is the brain drain experienced in critical sectors of the economy. According to a report from the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria lost over 9000 medical doctors to the UK, USA, and Canada between 2016-2018. With a decreasing number of Medical Doctors, Nigeria spends between $1.2 billion and $1.6 billion annually on medical tourism.

Apart from those moving abroad for postgraduate education, young and experienced practitioners in the fields of Medicine, IT professionals, Health and social care, among others, are leaving the country in their thousands. This worrisome trend indicates that even those with well-paying jobs in Nigeria are also leaving for a new dispensation.

Another damaging effect of the Japa syndrome on citizens and the economy is the huge amount of revenue in tax loss. Taxation is an integral source of revenue for Nigeria’s three tiers of government. It ensures that the government secures a stable flow of income channelled to providing infrastructural facilities, security of life and properties, job creation, and growing investment.

According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) reports, Personal Income Tax (PIT) represents 63.73% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2021.

The massive influx of migrants in recent years, alongside the longstanding presence of millions of Nigerians in the diaspora for decades, paints a vivid picture of the substantial tax revenue loss and the resulting infrastructural deficit that could have been mitigated by such income.

Roles of Government in Mitigating the Effects

Employment and Employability Skills Education

There’s an urgent need to provide creative and innovative employment opportunities to the teeming population of unemployed graduates. It is a known fact that the government cannot single-handedly provide enough employment opportunities. However, the government at various levels can create an enabling environment for private sector intervention by enhancing the ease of doing business. The private sector remains a veritable tool to boost the growth of the Nigerian economy. Reducing the bureaucratic bottleneck investors face in the course of establishing their businesses will bring about needed employment opportunities for unemployed youths.

Also, the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Department (SAED) of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) needs to be emboldened and incentivised to encourage entrepreneurship further.

Collaborative efforts such as the Nigeria Youth Jubilee Fellowship Programme (NJFP), which seeks to match unemployed graduates with a one-year job placement, should also be given the necessary support to thrive.

In addition, states and local governments have important roles in providing facilities for self-employment and employability skill acquisition. The combined efforts of the government and private sector, when pursued aggressively with sincerity of purpose, will significantly reduce Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which is projected to hit 40.6% in 2023.

Security of Life and Properties

Security of life and properties must be given the priority it deserves. Governments have, over the years, paid lip service to this issue. With killing and kidnapping at an all-time high, many have been forced to sell their properties to fund their move to foreign countries.

Even the fervent preachers of “Nigeria go better” have been made to reconsider their position in the face of incessant threats to life and well-being. To arrest this situation, the federal government should give room for the establishment of state police. By enabling each state to address its peculiar security challenges, the federal police will have less fish to fry.

An end to Government-Labour Impasse

Additionally, the perennial industrial action embarked upon by the various labour unions must be seriously addressed. Many months of inactivity on our campuses have forced thousands of students and lecturers to migrate to other countries.

According to a report from UK higher education statistics agency Erudera, the number of Nigerians studying in the UK has tremendously increased by 64% from 13,020 in the 2019/2020 session to 21,305 by the 2020/2021 academic session.

In recent times, other advanced economies like the USA and Canada have reported a massive increase in the inflow of students from Nigeria.

Likewise, the comatose state of our educational system has led thousands of Nigerian students to settle for an academic sojourn in other African countries such as South Africa, Benin Republic, Ghana and even Sudan. This is an embarrassment for a country that once prided itself as the giant of Africa.

Therefore, federal and state governments must tackle the decayed infrastructural facilities at our various institutions of learning head-on. The political will to honour past agreements with the various Academic staff unions is sine qua non to putting the incessant strike actions to bed.

Turning Brain Drain To Brain Gain

To address this phenomenon and turn the unfortunate brain drain into brain gain, it’s essential for the federal, state and local to prioritise domestic development, focusing on creating an environment where its citizens feel secure, empowered, and confident in their future. This includes investing in education, job creation, and infrastructure. Furthermore, addressing corruption and improving governance is paramount to restoring trust in public institutions.

Furthermore, with their acquired skills, knowledge, and networks, the Nigerian diaspora can serve as powerful agents of change. Engaging the diaspora in initiatives that foster collaboration, investment, and knowledge transfer is crucial.

In conclusion, the Japa Syndrome is a symptom of deeper issues, and overcoming it requires sustained efforts, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a brighter future for Nigeria. By addressing the root causes of migration and creating opportunities within the country, Nigeria can not only retain its talent but also harness its human capital to drive progress and prosperity for all.

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