Japa: 56% of Nigerians want to relocate, says report

A whopping 56% of the Nigerian population have considered migrating from the country, representing a 20-percentage-point increase compared to the 2017 figure of 36%, according to a report published by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research network.

“More than half (56%) of Nigerians say they have considered leaving Nigeria, a 20-percentage-point increase compared to 2017 (36%) (Figure 1). The share who say they have given ‘a lot’ of thought to the idea has tripled, from 11% to 33%,” the report read in part.

This is common among the most educated citizens. Nigerians with post-secondary qualifications account for 71% of the population, while urban residents and youth account for 63% and 60%, respectively.

READ ALSO: 4 ways to ‘Japa’ if you are facing ‘Sapa’

Afrobarometer highlighted the search for better opportunities, work opportunities, and escaping economic hardship or poverty as the motivations behind Nigerians’ desire for migration, noting that “the most common reasons cited for potential emigration are finding work opportunities (42%) and escaping economic hardship or poverty (39%).”

The most popular destinations among Nigerians with this desire are North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

According to the report, two-thirds (66%) of the sampled population who are unemployed and looking for work have considered leaving Nigeria. In comparison, many full-time (58%) and part-time workers (56%) have also considered emigration.

READ ALSO: Japa’s Silent Tragedy: Families torn apart tell tales of long-lost relatives, lack of closure

Nigeria has recorded a surge in migration in recent years. Between January and September 2023, 1,574,357 people left Nigeria, bringing the total number of people who have left Nigeria in the last two years to 3,679,496.

Another survey published by the African Polling Institute in 2022 revealed that 69% of Nigerians aged 18–35 would relocate if given the opportunity.

The surge in migration has contributed to brain drain, particularly in the health sector, as many health professionals are migrating for better working conditions in other countries.

Aside from brain drain, the wave of migration is tearing many families apart. Despite these challenges, the poor economy, failed systems and other factors that contributed to migration in the previous year still exist.

The government, the report said, has failed to address these issues and curb migration.