FRANK TALK: 5 Legit Reasons Many Nigerians Cannot Japa

As tantalising as the thought of japa is in today’s Nigeria, the reality is that not everyone who desires to, can, for many reasons. 

On the flip side, as weird as it sounds, there are also people who, despite the pressure and realities, do not want to migrate at all. A few weeks ago, we spoke with some people who we consider as the last breed of anti-japa Nigerians. However, in today’s issue, we examine the very valid reasons holding back many Nigerians who ordinarily would have loved to japa.

1. Sapa

If sapa no top the list, wetin wan top am?

If people say they are unable to travel out of Nigeria because of financial constraints, it is actually a very reasonable excuse. 

Think about it this way. Buying domestic economy flight tickets alone dey carry weight these days. 

When the fact that the current exchange rate is not smiling is added to the equation, it is easier to understand why many Nigerians can simply not think about migrating. Data from xyz says xy% of Nigerians live on less than $2 per day. No be person wey don chop go think of japa?’

Some people legit have to save up for years in order to actualise the dream of tweeting “cheers to a new dispensation”. And you’d understand why. Only a few young people earn more than NGN100,000 per month in Nigeria. Never mind the classism on Twitter.

2. Family “Syndrome”

Rarely do people acknowledge how much influence family can have on the choice of whether to migrate or stay put. 

Abike from Alimosho says while she loves everything about developed nations, she cannot stand the thoughts of her child being bullied in school as often reported in foreign media. Similarly, Emmanuel of Ojodu says that as much as he’d love to benefit from all the goodies that living abroad has to offer, the extreme liberal views of the West are “scary, too scary for a conversative like me to put a child through”. 

Not many people can process the possibility that they and their family could have to start dealing with the consciousness that their skin is different from that of their white colleagues and that they might likely lose some privileges for that reason alone. For some other people, they cannot even consider leaving Nigeria because they cannot afford to be too far away from their aged or sick parents.

Yes, there is technology to build communication gaps but people who love to be close to those they love would argue that there is nothing like being present ‘in the flesh’. 

We can imagine them shouting, “Is physical touch a joke to you?”

3. Established and Promising Career

Amaka earns over a million naira per month in Naija here and she obviously has prospects to earn more. Surely, she would think twice about forfeiting that career that seems to be going well for an uncertain future. 

A bird in hand, they say, is worth two in the bush.

Granted, there have been stories of established mid-level professionals who have left everything behind in Nigeria regardless of their growth but doing that would take a heart of steel which not many have. 

4. Lovey Dovey Entanglements

In some cases, na Love dey carry people go where dem no know. Some people are simply not japa compatible with their partners. What to do if you are married or in a relationship with someone who does not want to leave Nigeria?

This is why relationship coaches are now advising lovers to include japa as part of the important conversations during ‘talking stage’. Really, only a few things are more disheartening than desperately wanting something that your partner detests.

To settle all this confusion, talk about it early enough. Ensure you’re both on the same page. 

5. Patriots

Have you heard the argument that one way to show you truly love your country is by choosing to stay through the thick and thin even when you have the resources to relocate? 

Well, we have and have met some young people who hold this strong belief that Nigeria will be better and someday, our corrupt systems and structures will give way to functional ones. For this reason, they do not see the need to leave Nigeria. We spoke to some of them here.

In the end, we really cannot exhaust all the reasons holding back many people from leaving Nigeria. But we trust that you, our admirable reader, know better. 

We’d like to hear from you. What’s that legit reason that has held back you or someone you know from relocating? Share with us in the comment section below.

Loved this? Here’s a quick read for you- “I will not call even my family until after 2 years in obodo oyinbo”, Nigerians planning Japa react to the Influence of Village People