Insecurity and unemployment are to blame for the recent “Japa syndrome,” according to Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), who also emphasised the importance of creating a welcoming environment for Nigerians.
At the 6th Abuja School Debate Tournament, which was organised by Chen Teen and Youths Development Initiatives (CTYDI), an NGO in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education on “Addressing the Japa Syndrome, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by Kanyinsola Adetunmbi, a member of the commission’s staff, said this on Wednesday.
She claimed that although migration has many benefits and is a fundamental human right, it also has negative and ugly aspects.
She uttered, “According to CNN, a staggering 69 per cent of Nigerians will relocate out of the country with their families if given the opportunity, a 2022 survey by the Africa Polling Institute found and only 39 per cent were willing to emigrate in 2019 according to the same poll.
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“Nigeria was pegged as a larger source of immigrants to Canada in 2021. Insecurity, unemployment, corruption and other factors are the things that push Nigerians to relocate to abroad”.
Amb. Chituru Chendo, a director in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, added that Nigerians have been leaving their country in recent years in quest of “greener pastures,” believing that life is better elsewhere than it is at home.
According to Chendo, “Japa” has existed for years as people move for various reasons, including travel, study, employment, and medical care. However, Chendo emphasised that those moving must prepare themselves for a fulfilling life because the undesirable effects of migration will eventually cause businesses to fail.
“On the aspect of unemployment, the International Audit and Tax Advisory from KPMG, projects Nigerian’s unemployment rates from 37.7 per cent in 2022 to 40.6 per cent in 2023.
“Some Nigerians migrate due to unemployment, insecurity, poor education and low standard of living. If you are migrating, make sure you have a skill you are going there to sell, make sure you are an expert in anything you are doing.
“Most of us go there without a skill, when we get there we involve ourselves in social vices like drug trafficking, prostitution, cultism, drug addict and other.,”
“Migration gives a negative impression that our government are not taking care of us and that our investors are not competent enough.
“When going abroad, make sure you have a plan because this is very important and once you are done, come back because no place is safe all countries have their own problems,” she said.
She also urged parents to support their children who are going abroad to study because they will also experience difficulties in their new surroundings.
According to the Executive Director of CTYDI, 60% of Nigerians leave their country for another country due to insufficient amenities, 80% due to insecurity, and 95% due to a lack of resources.
Between 2015 and 2020, 43% of Nigerians would leave the country every day, while 55% of Nigerians have already emigrated from the country to another country.
