Main content

Japa Syndrome: Why are so many young people leaving Nigeria?

The Yoruba word for escape has become shorthand for moving abroad.

Nigeria is Africa鈥檚 economic powerhouse - so why are so many young people trying to leave and find opportunities in other countries? It鈥檚 become so common there鈥檚 even a word for it: Japa.

Last year, Nigeria鈥檚 immigration service issued a record number of passports - almost 2 million.

So when we were in Lagos we spoke to the 91热爆鈥檚 Faith Oshoko, who explained what drives young professionals to move abroad.

And we chatted to students - would they ever Japa? And would they come back?

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Makuochi Okafor
Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes
Editor: Verity Wilde

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Jun 2024 02:50GMT
91热爆 World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

More episodes

Previous

Could nuclear be the answer to our power problems?

Next

Panda express: Why does China send pandas around the world?

See all episodes from What in the World

Broadcasts

  • Tue 18 Jun 2024 17:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service News Internet
  • Wed 19 Jun 2024 02:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

Podcast