Be honest: how many people in your WhatsApp contacts have japa’d in the last three years? Two? Five? Ten? Your church friend is now in Canada, your university roommate is in a hospital in the UK, and your neighbour’s last-born is “just waiting for his papers.”
The word japa comes from Yoruba and means to run or escape. What began as slang now describes a national movement. And the appetite is real: a report found that 56% of Nigerians want to relocate, mainly to find work (42%) and to escape economic hardship (39%). (The Guardian Nigeria)
This post is not here to mock the japa dream, and it is not here to sell it. Let’s look at the full picture, then talk about how to find peace wherever you are.
Why Are So Many Nigerians Japa-ing?
Let’s call a spade a spade. People are leaving because of:
- Money wahala: salaries that cannot keep up with the cost of living
- Unemployment and underemployment: plenty of graduates, few good jobs
- Insecurity and stress: the constant worry about safety
- Poor infrastructure: light, roads, healthcare, and a system that feels like it was designed to test your patience
- Better pay and respect abroad, especially for skilled professionals
Researchers at the Migration Policy Institute note that insecurity and unemployment are among the domestic factors driving emigration, and that the emigration of well-educated Nigerians has raised brain drain fears (MPI). Nobody is leaving because they hate Naija. Many people love this country deeply; they just want their effort to pay off.
The Pros of Japa (Yes, There Are Real Ones)
1. Better pay for your skills. For nurses, engineers, developers and other professionals, the same work can earn far more abroad, even after you factor in the cost of living.
2. Structure and systems that work. Steady power, functioning public services and clear processes reduce daily stress for a lot of people.
3. Access to education and career growth. Top schools, research opportunities and global networks are real advantages.
4. Money for your family back home. Remittances keep many Nigerian households afloat. Money sent home from abroad was more than 8 percent of Nigeria’s GDP in 2024. (MPI) Many families are literally powered by someone’s overtime in another time zone.
5. A fresh start. A new environment can open your mind and push you to grow in ways you never expected.
The Cons Nobody Posts on Instagram
Let’s now talk about the part that doesn’t come with filters.
1. The door is not as wide open as before. Visa rules keep tightening. In 2025, the UK refused 66,143 Nigerian visitor visa applications and approved 105,039, which works out to a 38.6% refusal rate. (BusinessDay) For the US, stricter visa rules and restrictions on certain categories of Nigerian travellers took effect from January 1, 2026. (AllAfrica/Daily Trust) Other destinations have also raised financial requirements for applicants (Nairametrics). Rules change fast, so always confirm the current requirements on official government websites before you spend a kobo.
2. It is expensive before you even land. Visa fees, proof of funds, flights, exams, agent charges, first-month rent and deposits. Many people sell property or borrow heavily just to start. Beware of fake agents, because “visa for sale” scams are real.
3. Loneliness and homesickness. No amala from your aunty, no gist in the compound, no “Oga, how far?” from the neighbours. Many people describe feeling isolated, especially in winter when it is dark by 4 pm.
4. Downgrading before upgrading. Some Nigerian professionals take jobs below their qualifications at first, and recognition of certificates can take time.
5. Bills, taxes and pressure. Abroad, nothing is free: rent, transport, healthcare, taxes, and still the family back home expecting your support. The money is bigger, but so are the expenses.
6. The brain drain hurts the country you love. This one is personal for many. Nigeria’s health minister disclosed that the country has around 55,000 licensed doctors. (Techeconomy) He also said that over 16,000 doctors left in five years. (MyJoyOnline) On the nursing side, the nurses’ association said over 75,000 nurses and midwives had migrated within five years. (Daily Trust) When your doctor, nurse or teacher leaves, the people left behind feel it.
“But Why Are They Really Leaving?” Money Is Not the Only Reason
In the health sector, a LUTH-linked report points to poor pay as the leading cause, with 91% of healthcare workers citing inadequate salaries as their reason. (LUTH) This tells us something important: most people don’t japa because it is trendy. They japa because their effort is not being rewarded. That is a policy issue as much as a personal one.
Is Japa Even Possible for Everyone?
Not really, and that’s okay. Here is something many people don’t say out loud: japa is not a personality, and not going is not failure.
Some people can’t leave because of family responsibilities, finances, health, age, or just not wanting to. Others are waiting for the right opportunity and the right preparation. Either way, you deserve a good life now, not “when my papers are ready.”
There is even a shift in the air. A PiggyVest report showed that the share of Nigerians saving to emigrate fell from 21% in 2023 to 10% in 2024. (Dataphyte) Many people are putting their money into entrepreneurship, financial stability and immediate family needs instead. Some religious leaders have even spoken about a “reverse japa” in 2026. Whether you believe that or not, the conversation is clearly changing.
Finding Peace Right Here at Home
Whether you stay for good or you’re simply preparing, here is how to build a peaceful, productive life in Nigeria.
1. Build Income That Doesn’t Depend on One Source
Don’t carry your whole life on one salary. A side hustle, freelancing, content creation, selling online, tutoring or a small business gives you breathing space. Skills like copywriting, design, virtual assistance, data and customer support can be done from anywhere, and many Nigerians earn from international clients while living at home. That is a quiet kind of japa: japa without a visa.
2. Protect Your Money From Inflation
Keep an emergency fund, track your spending, and avoid get-rich-quick schemes. Always verify any investment platform with the SEC before you put in a naira (SEC portal).
3. Invest in Your Peace of Mind
Naija life is loud and stressful, so create small pockets of calm:
- Switch off your phone for an hour daily
- Leave group chats that drain you
- Walk, pray, stretch, journal, or just sit in silence
- Talk to a trusted friend, a counsellor or a mental health professional when things feel heavy
4. Choose Your Environment Wisely
Where you live affects your peace. Consider safe neighbourhoods, reliable power, short commutes, and a community you trust. Sometimes moving from one Nigerian city to another, or even one area to another, makes a big difference.
5. Build a Real Community
Join professional groups, church or mosque communities, alumni associations, skill-based meetups or online communities. People who have friends and mentors cope better with hard times.
6. Keep Your Passport Ready Anyway
Staying in Nigeria doesn’t mean closing the door. Get your documents in order, learn in-demand skills, grow your savings and keep your options open. Preparation gives you power: you stay because you choose to, not because you have no choice.
7. Be Careful With Comparison
Everyone’s Instagram looks like a holiday. You don’t see the night shifts, the loneliness or the bills. Don’t compare your chapter 3 with someone else’s highlight reel.
So, Should You Japa or Stay?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. These are the questions you should Ask yourself:
- What exactly am I running from, and what am I running towards?
- Can I afford it without destroying my finances or my peace?
- Do I have a skill or a pathway that fits the destination’s actual needs?
- Have I verified every requirement and every agent?
- If I stay, what can I do in the next 12 months to improve my situation?
If the honest answer is “I want to go,” plan well and go safely. If it’s “I want to stay,” build well and live fully. And if it’s “I’m not sure yet,” that’s fine too. Use this season to grow your skills and your savings.
Final Gist
Japa is not a villain and Naija is not a prison. The real goal is not a country, it is a life: peace of mind, enough money, good health and people who love you. You can chase that abroad, and you can build it at home. Many Nigerians are doing both.
Wherever you are, plan well, protect your peace and keep your eyes open.
Now tell me: are you japa-ing, staying, or still deciding? Drop your honest thoughts in the comments. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to read.
