Abike Dabiri-Erewa, The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, underlined security concerns, economic instability, and also, the inadequacy in living standards, has been the primary reasons behind the increase of migration of Nigerians, abroad in.

She said this at a press conference on Thursday, July 11, in Abuja, ahead of National Diaspora Day Celebrations 2024 which is coming up on the 25th of July, 2024.

She said, the theme for this year’s National Diaspora Day, “Japa Phenomena and its Implications for National Development,” is to reflect on the growing concerns of how the demographic is mostly affected by this migration which is the Nigeria’s youth.

Dabiri-Erewa said: “Factors such as economic instability, security concerns, and inadequate standard of living are ranked high among reasons for the exodus of Nigerians abroad.

“The consequence of this phenomenon is the decline of strong human resources because most of the Nigerians relocating are the youths. This in turn, makes a downward turn on labour and productivity in the country.” 

Dabiri-Erewa called for a change in perspective, despite the challenges. She ask Nigerians to see the positive aspect of the situation.

The NIDCOM Boss said:

“We have to turn our lemons into lemonade. Today, we change the story by celebrating those vibrant Nigerians who are making positive impacts in the Diaspora and making the country very proud.

“Also, those who, while abroad, are contributing positively to national development.”

She further gave an update on the issue faced by Nigerian students at Teesside University in the United Kingdom. She said:

“The university has come up with a more compassionate payment method. The students are going to pay their fees. It is not charity, but they have devised ways that can be a bit more convenient.

“For those who were almost done with payment and were told to leave, they agreed that they would pay their fees but would not receive their certificate until they completed their payment,”

She mentioned that the Teesside University students are not the only ones affected, that Nigerians students in other institutions are also facing similar issues.

She said they’re working closely with the students Organization in the UK as well as the Nigerian mission so as to address the issues.

The term “Japa” originated from the Yoruba words, “Já” and “pa” which means “to break free”, has become a Nigerian slang those wanted to relocating or has relocated abroad in search of better opportunities.

Though they face challenges like, Racism, loneliness, bureaucracy, but still, the urge to japa is still ever strong.

The migration of Nigerians is across every sector as well as every parts of Nigeria.

According to the 2024 World Migration Report, up to 402,186 Nigerians had moved to the United States while 205,773 had moved to the United Kingdom.

More so, 169,600 had moved to Cameroon, while 156,739 had move to Niger, and 106,462 had moved to Italy.