The Causes of Nigerians ‘JAPA’ The Urge to Travel Out
No one willingly leaves home unless it’s as dangerous as a shark’s mouth or a fire at their heels, as eloquently captured by British-Somalian poet Warsan Shire in her famous poem “Home.” When home becomes uninhabitable, fleeing is often the only option. Our ancestors wisely noted that the only thing you can beat without it moving is a tree.
During my recent visit to Nigeria, almost everyone I encountered expressed a desire to “japa”—a colloquial term for leaving the country. From the taxi driver who ferried me one day to the young man who helped with my luggage at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, the sentiment was the same. The luggage carrier, a student of architecture, was pessimistic about his future prospects and asked how he could get to Canada. I wished him luck, as I had no answers. The taxi driver, supporting a family, dreamed of moving abroad due to the harsh conditions at home.
This yearning to escape was not limited to those struggling financially. Even well-to-do acquaintances, like one with a luxurious home and a quiet generator, considered relocating. Despite his wealth, he had lost patience with Nigeria, citing not just rising costs but the pervasive dysfunction. “Money only goes so far before it can’t help you,” he said. What use is money when supermarket shelves are empty, power outages are constant, or you can’t reach a hospital in an emergency? A relative died stuck in Lagos traffic, unable to get timely medical help. When I naively asked why they hadn’t called an ambulance, the incredulous reaction reminded me how out of touch I am despite my frequent visits.
It wasn’t just economic hardship or failing infrastructure driving people to leave; it was also the overwhelming sense of insecurity. A well-off cousin who once traveled frequently through the southeast with a convoy of mobile police has now stopped both his trips and his security detail, fearing abduction. He knows several people who have been kidnapped and only released after paying hefty ransoms. The threat of abduction looms large, touching almost everyone. In any Nigerian market, you’d likely hit someone affected by kidnapping if you threw a stone. It’s like the wild west out there.
I can’t fault those who dream of escaping, whether they realistically can or not. Everyone deserves a chance to live with dignity and without constant fear. The urge to “japa” is not just about seeking greener pastures; it’s about survival and the right to a life that isn’t an endless struggle.
The real challenge for Nigerian leaders is to build a society where people feel valued and secure, where daily life isn’t marred by fear and frustration. They need to create an environment where staying is a viable choice, not a forced one. Until then, people will continue to look for ways out, driven by the fundamental desire for a better, safer life. When home becomes a place of danger, fleeing is the only option for those who can.
