Japa from Sapa: Out of the Kettle, Into the Blaze

By Halima Abdulazeez

(Japa from Sapa: Out of the Kettle, Into the Blaze)

Recent data from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) reveals that over 3.6 million Nigerians migrated from the country between 2022 and 2023.

A significant portion of this number left in the past two years, primarily driven by factors such as economic hardship, unemployment, and political instability.

The majority of these emigrants are young people seeking better opportunities abroad.

Halima Abdulazeez

The Japa syndrome is no longer just a trend; it is a desperate response to a nation’s failure to provide hope. Until systemic reforms address the root causes of this mass exodus, Nigeria will continue to lose its brightest minds to foreign lands, deepening the crisis of underdevelopment at home.

In his article “Nigeria’s Japa Generation and Global Demographic Dynamics” published by Business a.m., Professor Chris Anyokwu aptly captures the growing trend of mass emigration among Nigerians.

He describes how citizens, both young and old, are “voting with their feet,” fleeing the country in search of better opportunities abroad. The phenomenon, largely driven by economic decline, and a lack of prospects, has become a defining reality for the nation’s youth.

The scholar paints a grim picture of a generation that has been pushed to its limits. With motivation at an all-time low and the illusion of change completely shattered, young Nigerians are left staring at the harsh realities of life.

Their departure is not just a search for greener pastures—it is an unspoken protest against a system that has repeatedly betrayed them. “With the complete collapse of motivation and the virtual liquidation” of all illusion, they now stare at the unblinking hardness of life.”

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After the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lost their jobs due to the immense hardship imposed on individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide. Little did we know that, five years later, the consequences of the “Japa” syndrome would be so severe. If the family is considered a human factory, then the Nigerian family structure has become disenchanted and near collapse.

We are now a collection of displaced individuals living in an open theatre of the absurd. I am not a pessimist, but the statistics emerging from foreign lands about the hardship this mass exodus is inflicting on families are deeply concerning. These range from crumbling marriages, Suicides, and missing loved ones to the psychological trauma associated with moving to a culture where racism is institutionalised.

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Unfortunately, Nigeria has a system of governance that displays a nonchalant attitude towards national issues, and there seems to be little intention to build a nation defined by a strong moral character. The days ahead look bleak for Nigerians abroad who have gone in search of a “greener pasture,” especially with President Trump gearing up to deport undocumented immigrants.

President Donald Trump‘s hard-line immigration policies have significantly impacted Nigerians residing in the United States. Central to these policies is the emphasis on mass deportations, which has heightened anxiety within Nigerian communities. Reports from early 2025 indicate that many Nigerians feared large-scale raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to concerns about potential deportations and family separations.

In 2020, the Trump administration expanded its travel ban to include Nigeria, citing security concerns. This move restricted the ability of Nigerians to immigrate to the U.S., particularly affecting those seeking to reunite with family members. The ban prevented U.S. citizens from bringing over children, parents, or siblings, and it halted the immigration of spouses or partners of American citizens.

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Additionally, the administration’s broader immigration agenda included attempts to terminate programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which protect many immigrants.

While not exclusively targeting Nigerians, these actions have contributed to an environment of uncertainty and fear within immigrant communities, including Nigerians who have moved out of Nigeria in large numbers recently.

The Nigerian government’s response, in a typically reactionary manner, was confirmed by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Corporate Affairs. He told newsmen recently that an inter-agency committee had been established to manage potential mass deportation. “The Federal Government has established an inter-agency committee comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NiDCOM, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to respond to any large-scale deportation of Nigerians from the US,” Balogun disclosed.

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In stark contrast to establishing such committees and waiting for fate or faith to dictate action, consider the example of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. When faced with the possibility of President Trump implementing tariff hikes on Canadian goods and services, Trudeau acted decisively.

He announced in his speech, “Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the U.S. trade action with 25 per cent tariffs against a $155 billion worth of American goods. This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days to allow Canadian companies and supply chains to seek alternatives.”

Through subsequent negotiations and trade-offs, President Trump agreed to a 30-day pause before implementing his plans. As America’s two largest partners, Mexico and Canada took steps to also address President Trump’s concerns about border security and drug trafficking.

This is how nations operate, instead of always becoming orphans waiting for crumbs. Nigerian leaders must do more. The leadership of every sovereign nation should prioritize protecting its citizens, preventing crimes, and ensuring social cohesion.

Despite their significant contributions, Nigerians are often left unprotected. The intellectual prowess of Nigerians is undeniable, particularly in the United States, where they have made remarkable contributions across numerous fields, showcasing their resilience, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit. Their impact continues to shape industries and influence policies on a national and global scale.

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As a nation, we should express our discontent with any mistreatment of our citizens. Nigerians in the U.S. have excelled in various areas, including education, healthcare, business, technology, entertainment, and public service. They are the pioneers in the tech space. In Silicon Valley and beyond, Nigerians are making strides in engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

They are present in leading tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, contributing to advancements in digital security and financial technology.

A prime example is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Flutterwave, a global payment platform that facilitates cross-border transactions in Africa and beyond, furthering economic growth and digital inclusion.

To become truly relevant on the world stage, our leadership must act definitively and strategically alongside global powers. We must not wait until mass deportations to define our mode of engagement with the United States. Our diplomatic corps must become proactive and responsive.

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The author Halima Abdulazeez is a poet and a writer of the poetry collection “Soul Rants” A Journey from Within. She is the treasurer, of PEN International, Nigerian Center, and resides in Lagos, and can be contacted via: +234-8034816865 (mailto:umuhfaisal@gmail.com)