The media has been awash with positive and negative outcomes of migration, popularly called Japa, on this side of the divide. Migration has always been in vogue as citizens of various countries across the world search for greener pastures. News of nurses in the United Kingdom moving to Australia, New Zealand and the United States have emerged, further proof that not only Nigerians or Africans Japa.
The current Japa wave started with the economic downturn during the administration of former president, Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023. Many Nigerians ‘fled’ to the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and other countries in search of greener pastures. Hardly is there a family in Nigeria that doesn’t have an extension ‘in the abroad’.
Nigerians have always been on the move, with the first Japa wave starting in the 60s and lasting until the early 70s. Some even move to other countries like Benin Republic, Togo, Ivory Coast and Ghana to do business as evidenced by the inter-marriage between them and nationals of these countries.
While Japa is not entirely a bad idea, it comes with several factors to be considered before following the herd in search of the proverbial greener pastures. In several cases, some of these countries Nigerians ‘flee’ to are grappling with some economic issues themselves. For example, the United Kingdom recently entered a recession, sparking protests by different groups about the rising cost of living. However, Nigerians seem unperturbed as they pay an arm and a leg, in some cases even a heart and a kidney, to get into the country. The influx of migrants, which has been in record numbers, forced the country to place several bans on migration pathways, with students, except those in the country for doctoral programmes, banned from bringing in family members, while those on work visas have also been barred from doing same. The story is not any different in Canada and Australia which recently announced a tightening of immigration laws to discourage migrants from ‘straining facilities’.
Nigerians and indeed other nomads across the world must know that cultural differences will make the experience quite difficult, with some breaking down in tears in several social media videos. For instance, a child born to Yoruba parents may find it tough to speak the language and relate to his culture. In some cases, the children find it tough to even pronounce their names, hence the adoption of what nationals of their new homes can pronounce easily. Parents who were born and bred in Nigeria before moving abroad may find this off-putting as they see their culture being waved away as not important by children who should take over from where they stop when they die. Kudos must be given to some parents who have, in the face of this challenge, ensured that their kids speak their languages. A video went viral some weeks back of a young boy who spoke the Igbo language fluently despite being born and bred abroad.
Another factor to consider before japaing is the fact that many marriages take the hit when they arrive in their new abode. In many cases, men have complained of their wives’ overbearing attitude, knowing they have the backing of the law. In extreme cases, some men have ended up in the streets or even deported after quarrelling with their wives, something that is about 90 per cent impossible in Africa. As the ‘man of the house’, the husband is allowed to make all the laws and can decide to be a Kim Jung-Un in his household. However, with new life and new laws abroad, a man must unlearn his ‘man of the house’ mindset and get involved in taking care of his home. He will have to learn to change diapers, wash dishes, mop the floor, prepare the kids for school and cook for his wife – all perceived as women’s duties here in Nigeria. There is no room for unnecessary ‘pride’ in the household as if the woman gets pissed off, she can file for a divorce and get all the man has, and may even have him deported if he was listed as a dependent in their visa application.
This is not to say marriages do not work abroad but it is important to note, men especially, that more work is required to keep the home running without police or child services paying visits to the home. But marriage as most men know it in Nigeria may be different from what is obtainable abroad. Women too must know that the ‘baby girl’ lifestyle or ‘oga madam’ or ‘Odogwu’s wife’ or ‘Lolo’ may not be possible abroad. An average man needs the utmost support from his wife to pay the bills monthly.
Nigerians and, indeed blacks, who go to North America and Europe must expect racism at some point in their lives. Social media videos have shown some whites even refusing to sit next to blacks on public buses or some having physical confrontations with blacks in workplaces, malls, etc. A video some months ago showed a Nigerian woman in Canada lamenting after an elderly white woman called security on her for allegedly stealing her phone. Another in Germany featured a Nigerian woman who said her change was flung at her by a white cashier after shopping at a supermarket. Nigerians have also complained of some landlords refusing to rent houses to them for being black, a claim that cannot be verified. It is, however, important to note that racism will be felt at some point in your Japa adventure. Behind the cool pictures of living the good life to pepper our phantom enemies lies racism and other discriminatory scars.
Depression is quite common among Nigerians who have left the country for Europe or North America. There is no communal living as we know it. Many Nigerians have lamented that they are bored, do not have friends and struggle to maintain their sanity once abroad. To also chip in, you are most times on your own. There is no urgent “2k” from anywhere as everybody grapples to pay their bills and keep their homes running. Unlike here in Nigeria where your uncle or sister or cousins could send you money, many Nigerians abroad have complained that is not the case. Think am well o! No urgent 2k or ‘come buy me beer after work’.
After looking at the negative side of Japa, it is important to speak about the positive sides of it.
Let’s start with the best of them all, exchange rate! Some weeks back, one United States Dollar exchanged at over N1,800. If a Nigerian had sent $1,000 home during that period, that is N1.8 million. Although the purchasing power of the naira decreased during that period, sending N1.8 million to a family would address several needs. The exchange rate has been the major reason many Nigerians flock abroad as they know in one or two years, they can build a house in Nigeria, something that may remain elusive if they had stayed back in the country. Many of them also help families back home to establish businesses etc.
For those who want to get a quality education, Japa may be your best bet. With Nigerian university workers always at the throats of government officials with various strikes in one calendar year, studying in the country has become unattractive. A three-year course abroad would need at least five years in Nigeria and studying is usually done in really bad conditions. Epileptic power supply, bad living conditions and an unmotivated teaching staff make studying in Nigeria a nightmare. It is not a problem not to even understand the course you’re studying, just pass exams and get your certificates.
Health is another reason Nigerians leave the country. Having a headache in Nigeria could be a death sentence, with lack of equipment, drugs and negligence by medical staff leading to the death of countless Nigerians. An unmotivated staff is also a problem to deal with, as many doctors, nurses and other staff do not show enough compassion for their patients’ plights. ‘No payment, no treatment’ is the norm and many lives have been lost due to this. Recently the police allowed hospitals to treat gunshot victims without the usual insistence of sighting a police report. Nigerians who Japa often speak about the confidence they have in the medical services of their new home countries as the staff seem more motivated and equipment readily available for top-notch healthcare.
We may not be able to consider all the merits and demerits of Japa but this piece must have exposed you to factors to consider before making your move. Japa is nice when you make the move prepared. The margin for error is slim and persons planning to Japa must be prepared.
