Written by Desola Oloko
Nigeria is one of the most populous nations on earth, ranked 39Th globally in GDP Rankings in 2023, yet 7 in 10 Nigerians would leave if they had the opportunity to and over 3.6 million Nigerians have migrated in the last two years. This culture of emigration is so prevalent that it has coined the term “Japa”, but what truly is the impact of this loss of human capital on Nigeria’s Economy?
The word “Japa” means “to run” or “to flee” and it has become synonymous with this brain drain crisis. Brain drain is when the young, talented and skilled professionals, who are meant to be the innovators of the future, driving economic prosperity, are instead migrating for better opportunities and more stability. This mass exodus is hitting crucial sectors like education, healthcare and technology, slowing down Nigeria’seconomic growth and potential.
This is not a simple problem to tackle, however it starts at the top. The government and national leaders need to create a better environment for professionals and for the youth through ensuring stability, in salaries, governance and working conditions. This calls for investment in infrastructure and technology to retain and attract the talent needed to drive growth and development. It’s about transforming Nigeria into not just a place to live, but a place to thrive.
Here are links to some articles to read more about it:
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/24/africa/nigeria-japa-exodus-trend-election-intl-cmd/index.html
