Blame 'Japa Syndrome' on Bad Governance - Former UI VC
Former UI Vice Chancellor Identifies Key Drivers of Increasing 'Japa' Syndrome in Nigeria
Chukwuebuka Aniakor 
Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), has identified poor governance, economic conditions, income, insecurity, limited professional development opportunities, and political instability as the key drivers of the increasing “japa” syndrome in Nigeria.
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In a lecture titled “Nigerian Japa Syndrome: Quo Vadis (going forward)” delivered at the 65th Anniversary of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch, Olayinka explained that ‘japa’ is a term used in Nigeria to describe the phenomenon of Nigerian nationals hastily and urgently fleeing the country to settle permanently elsewhere, often with no intention of returning.
The term ‘japa’, a Yoruba colloquial word, has gained widespread usage among Nigerian youths and in popular culture. It symbolizes the aspiration of young Nigerians to leave the country for good.
Olayinka, a geophysicist, noted that the ‘japa’ phenomenon is not new to Nigeria. He pointed out that Nigerians have been relocating for a very long time, as evident in the “Andrew checking-out” and exodus of the 1980s, as well as the visa lottery schemes of the 1990s.Recommended: UNILORIN Announces 25% School Fees Rebate for Staff’s Children
“What seems like a coordinated escape from the country in recent years is not entirely new to our national consciousness. However, none of these past emigration campaigns has been as significant, or as documented as what is ongoing right now,” he said.
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He further added, "This is year 2023 and Nigerians are still getting out in droves. Because it coincides with the Internet age and mass information, it only makes sense that emigration stories are now being shared in real-time, going viral and becoming more of a spectacle than it ever was for previous generations. The implication is that these days, everyone knows about it, everyone follows it and everyone seems to have an idea of how Nigeria’s epic relocation wave is shaping up.”
