Nigerian JAPA Syndrome: The Benefits and Challenges from a scriptural view

JAPA, which stands for “Just Act, Plan After,” is a term often used in Nigeria to describe the exodus of our youth to foreign lands in search of greener pastures. While the topic itself is controversial, my goal is not to deter you from this path but to equip you with the wisdom and insights needed to make an informed decision.

According to the UN, about 1.24 million Nigerians emigrated in 2017, and approx 2 million passports were issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in 2022.

Today, we will discuss a topic that many of you have thought about, fantasized about, or even acted upon—the JAPA Syndrome, the trend of young Nigerians relocating abroad in search of better opportunities.

1. What’s Your Why?

In Genesis 12:1-3, God asked Abraham to leave his homeland for a land He would show him. He wasn’t just sent away; he was sent with a divine purpose— to become the father of many nations.

Many embark on the JAPA journey, but few pause to reflect on their motives. Having a well-defined ‘why’ is crucial. When God asked Abraham to leave his homeland, He had a purpose—to make Abraham the father of nations. Likewise, your ‘why’ should transcend just personal gain.

Abraham received a direct command from God to leave his fatherland. The Lord promised to make him the father of many nations, and the purpose was greater than Abraham himself. Your “Why” is your compass; it will guide you when the journey gets tough.

So, what’s your why? Is it personal growth, family, or perhaps even contributing to Nigeria from afar? According to a Pew Research study, over 30% of Nigerian adults have indicated they plan to move to another country in the next five years, most citing economic reasons. While economic stability is crucial, your purpose should transcend just that. Your life is too small to be the only essence of your existence.

Your Why Matters
If your “why” is just to accumulate wealth or escape Nigeria, then you might find yourself accumulating but never really fulfilling your divine destiny.

The Greater Picture
Ask yourself, can your “why” extend beyond personal gain to contribute to national development? Remember Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Your life can have a ripple effect that goes beyond you, impacting your community, and by extension, your country.

Practical Tips:

1. Clearly articulate your “why.”
2. Align it with a greater purpose, perhaps even national development.

2. How Powerful is Your Magnet?

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

A lizard in Nigeria will be a lizard in the USA. Talent is never enough; only skills bring success. Every expert was once an amateur. Did you know that according to the World Bank, the unemployment rate in Nigeria was about 33% as of 2020? Yet, sectors like technology and healthcare are in desperate need of skilled professionals. Your greatest money-making instrument is your mind.

Talent vs Skill
Natural talent is a gift, but skill is a choice. Acquiring skills that are in demand globally will serve as your ‘magnet,’ attracting opportunities to you. According to LinkedIn’s 2021 Skill Gap Analysis, the most in-demand skills are specialized and technology-oriented. Meanwhile, a report from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics shows that youth unemployment stands at an alarming 40%.

Invest in Yourself
Before you consider investing in stock markets or real estate, invest in the power of your mind. Matthew 25:14-30 talks about the parable of talents. Like the servants, you’ve been entrusted with gifts. Are you multiplying them or burying them?

Practical Tips:

1. Invest in yourself before you invest in assets.
2. Learn and master an in-demand skill before you JAPA.

3. Nigeria is Loaded with Opportunities

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Nothing like being where God wants you to be. Compared with the natural challenges and vices that plaque the Western world, No place like home, and Nigeria is blessed and filled with peerless opportunities. 

While countries like Canada, US and the UK offer fantastic opportunities, Nigeria is not barren. According to the African Development Bank, Nigeria has a burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem, with Lagos being the startup capital of Africa.

The Grass is Not Always Greener
While the Western world has its allure, it also comes with challenges—cultural shock, racism, and more. It’s crucial to acknowledge the opportunities that exist here in Nigeria. We have a growing tech industry, booming entertainment sector, and untapped natural resources.

The Return Strategy
If you must JAPA, do it with the intention of returning to contribute to Nigeria’s development. Learn, build, and come back to make a transgenerational impact.

Practical Tips:

1. Evaluate opportunities in your own country.
2. Except you’re specifically instructed to stay, the best JAPA strategy is a holistic one. Go, learn, and return. Make an impact that transcends generations.

4. How to Leverage Relocation for Impact and Influence

Opportunities and Pathways for Relocation to Canada:

1. Express Entry
2. Provincial Nominee Programs
3. Study Permits turned into Work Permits

Opportunities and Pathways for Relocation to the UK:

1. Skilled Worker Visas
2. Student Visas
3. Global Talent Visas

Building Bridges
Once you are abroad, network and build bridges not just for yourself but for others. Be a beacon, be an ambassador of positive change and bring back that influence to your homeland.

Practical Tips:

1. Research each pathway meticulously.
2. Build a network before and after your move.

Lastly, choosing to JAPA is neither inherently good nor bad. The merit lies in the purpose behind the action and the steps you take to realize that purpose. If Joseph had not been in Egypt, he would not have been positioned to save not just Egypt but also his family during the famine. Just like Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, or Nehemiah in Persia, they were in foreign lands, but their impacts were felt both where they were and back home.

JAPA is not just a trend; it’s a life-altering decision. As you consider this path, I urge you to weigh the benefits and challenges carefully. Remember, whether you stay or go, your ultimate mission is to live a life of purpose and impact.