Japada: An Illusion or a Reality?

The Yoruba slang “japa” is used to capture the reality of Nigerians moving abroad to secure a new life. In recent times dating to the 2020s, the term “japada” which means to come back, has grown to gain traction within the lingo of laymen and academics alike. Japada is rooted in the word “Japa” which has seen continuous usage owing to the slow decline of the Nigerian economy particularly after the COVID 19 pandemic. In Nigeria, the medical sector, academia, banking among others have been mass emigration of Nigerians to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2024 alone, over 15,000 Nigerian professionals were recorded to have relocated to the U.K. (Umeh, Ugwoegbu and Sam, 2024). This mass emigration has been driven by both economic opportunities abroad and worsening insecurity at home, marked by violence, terrorism, and political instability (Oluniyi & Abiri, 2023). Critics argue that this trend reflects a new form of colonial exploitation, others believe that improving local conditions could slow the migration trend. The reality of Japada suggests that these migrants will eventually return, either due to improved circumstances in Nigeria or unfavorable conditions abroad. However, historical migration patterns indicate that reverse migration is often conditional on economic stability, governance reforms, and reintegration policies (Okunade and Awosusi, 2023). In this light, this study employs an historical approach (using secondary source documents) to capture the reasons that prompted the occurrence of Japada by Nigerians. The study will serve as a useful resource material in the ongoing discussions on migration trends and the gradual switch from brain drain to brain gain.