by Fisayo Ayeni
A lot of Nigerian youths face a choice between remaining in their father’s land Nigeria and leaving the country to live a better life somewhere else.
Issues such as security concerns, corruption, poor governance, lack of basic infrastructure, economy and so on cause barriers to leaving an easily life in the country.
According to a survey carried out in 2022, 69% of Nigerians within the age of 18 to 35 years would relocate if they were given the opportunity to. Regardless of the challenges and cost that comes with emigrating, many are still willing to leave in pursuit of a brighter future and a better life.
It is easy for university graduates who have professional skills and qualifications to get well paying jobs, visas and the finances they need to start a new life when they travel to other countries so most Nigerian youths see no reason not to.
Although most Nigerian youth admit that they love the Nigerian culture, the food, the music and the community, they simply choose to leave to seek for greener pastures as the economy of the country is not favorable.
Many Nigerians even try to move abroad by crossing the Sahara Desert or the Mediterranean Sea as a result thousands of Nigerians die each year on the journey and those who are able to survive find it difficult to find decent jobs to earn a living.
According to official statistics, more than 3.6 million Nigerians have relocated in the past two years. As at 2023, the unemployment rate in Nigeria has risen to 37% while the UK is offering a good annual pay to Nigerians who mirgrate to work there as nurses and teachers so can we really blame the youths?
However, this japa issue can affect the country negatively as skilled citizens like nurses and doctors are desperately leaving the country. As these skilled youths keep leaving the country, who and what is replacing the services they could be rendering to the country?
The hope remains that the government would finally take action to bring about positive change and make Nigeria a place where Nigerian youths can thrive and fully utilize their brilliant minds, skills and potentials.