‘Without Money, Survival is Hard’ – Nigerian in Canada Explains Motivation Behind ‘Japa’ Trend

The growing trend of emigration from Nigeria, popularly called “Japa,” has become a defining movement among Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad. A 2022 survey revealed that 70% of Nigerians aged 15 to 35 expressed a desire to leave the country, driven by challenges such as economic instability, limited opportunities, and a struggling healthcare system.

This movement gained momentum after the 2020 #EndSARS protests, with some lawmakers labeling “Japa” a national emergency. In 2022 alone, over 22,000 Nigerians moved to Canada through its permanent residency program, a 47% increase from the previous year.

One such individual is Dr. Adedamola Adedeji, a Nigerian dentist who relocated to Canada in September 2023. Her decision came after a traumatic experience when her diabetic father was denied emergency medical care until her family paid a hefty 1.6 million naira ($960) deposit. Reflecting on the dire healthcare and economic conditions in Nigeria, Damola shared, “If you don’t have money in Nigeria, you will die.”

Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the rising cost of living has made survival even harder, prompting more Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad. Damola, inspired by her siblings who emigrated earlier in 2023, decided to follow suit, stating, “If there’s a way to leave, why not?”

The healthcare sector has been particularly affected by this exodus. In early 2023, the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors reported that 2,800 doctors had left the country in just two years, with 85% of those remaining planning to leave.

Damola’s head dentist, Dr. Aisha Tayo Adewale, acknowledged the challenges driving professionals away. While lamenting the loss of skilled talent, she empathized with those leaving, saying, “I can’t be selfish and say they shouldn’t ‘Japa.’”

On September 29, 2023, Damola embarked on her journey to Toronto, leaving Nigeria for the first time. The date was deeply emotional, marking nine months since her father’s passing. Although her mother supported her decision, she expressed sorrow over the impact of the “Japa” wave, saying, “It’s robbing us, the parents, of having a close physical relationship with our children.”

Damola’s story is a testament to the difficult choices many Nigerians face as they seek brighter futures abroad, leaving behind families and the familiarity of home.