A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria

Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola; David Luka Gofwan

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria

Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola

, David Luka Gofwan^*

Published in International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 12, Issue 2)

Received: 11 March 2026 Accepted: 30 March 2026 Published: 14 April 2026

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Abstract

This study explores the impact of Japa Syndrome on Nigeria's socio-economic development. The phrase "Japa Syndrome" (migration) is a recent phenomenon in our nation’s history, frequently used by young people who feel disillusioned and tired of the current circumstances. The youth, considered bridge builders and future leaders, are predominantly the ones departing the country each day in pursuit of better opportunities. The pace at which Nigerians are leaving the country is concerning. These circumstances have adversely affected the nation’s socio-economic development and growth, as those identified as able to manage and contribute to economic and political progress are leaving daily. What factors contribute to this large-scale migration? What impact does Japa Syndrome have on our socio-economic progress and national development? What must be done to stop this menace among the youth population? What strategies can we implement to address the issue of brain drain in our country? What role must the government play to control this surge? These and other salient questions this article seeks to answer. This study adopts the push and pull theory of migration developed by Ernst Georg Ravenstein in his work, “Law of Migration” (1885). The specific objectives of this paper are to ascertain how unemployment, insecurity, unstable political situations, and, worst of all, leadership failure in the nation have led to mass migration; assess their implications on our national development; and propose effective strategies to manage this Japa Syndrome among Nigerians for the sake of national and socio-economic development.

Published in	International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 12, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12
Page(s)	100-107
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Japa Syndrome, Japada, Migration, Brain Drain, Socio-Economic

1. Introduction

History shows that in Africa, our forefathers were forcibly taken as slaves to foreign lands to serve their captors. This was done by force, as they had no choice but to submit to the dictates of their slave masters. Today, however, Nigerians are leaving their homeland to willingly serve in foreign lands, all in search of greener pastures. These acts can be described as the second wave of the slave trade. These able-bodied individuals, who possess the strength and talents to contribute to their nation's economic growth, are abandoning their own land to help build other nations. Taxes that could have helped improve the socio-economic situation of the nation are paid to these other countries. Worse still, some are selling their properties in Nigeria to settle mortgages abroad. The quest for wealth and a better life has led some of these young people to forsake their homeland for another land. Even more troubling, some of these able-bodied individuals are leaving the shores of Africa without the necessary documents. Some even go so far as to risk their lives in the desert, while others face dangers in the Mediterranean Sea. Taking the words of Duru

[1]

, many Nigerians who leave the country without appropriate documents end up doing “3D jobs,” which are difficult, dirty, and dangerous jobs. What they are running away from in their father’s land is what they end up doing in Europe. Some are engaged in dirty jobs like prostitution and the like.

This paper examines the effect of Japa Syndrome on the socio-economic development of Nigeria. Although the term "migration" is not new in our society, others like Duru have argued that migration has been with us since the beginning of the world. Migration, according to Duru

[1]

, is “a process of moving, either across an international border or within a state. It is a population movement, encompassing any kind of movement of people, regardless of its length, composition, and causes; it includes migration of refugees, displaced persons, uprooted people, and economic migrants." This means changing residence, either permanently or temporarily, for some period of time. Migration could also mean moving to a different location within neighborhoods or towns

[2]

. Therefore, migration involves moving from one part of the world to another for a specific reason or goal.

The desire to move from one end of the world to the other has been part of humanity since creation; however, the term "Japa" (migration) is a recent phenomenon in our nation's history, commonly used among the youth who feel frustrated and weary of the current situation. People are migrating for different reasons: for some, it is for academic pursuits or health challenges; for others, it is for safety, while for many, it is out of frustration. The young people, considered bridge builders and future leaders, are mainly the ones leaving the country daily in search of greener pastures. The rate at which Nigerians are moving out of the country is alarming. These circumstances have negatively impacted the socio-economic development and growth of the nation because those deemed capable of handling and contributing to economic and political development are the ones jetting out daily. This study adopts the push-pull theory of migration developed by Ernst Georg Ravenstein in his work, "Law of Migration" (1885). The specific objectives of this paper are to ascertain how unemployment, insecurity, unstable political situations, and, worst of all, leadership failure in the nation have led to mass migration; assess their implications for our national development; and suggest practical ways to control this Japa Syndrome among Nigerians for national and socio-economic development.

2. Causes of Japa Syndrome (“Japarism”)

Within the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in the migration of the most skilled and talented Nigerians to Europe and other parts of the world. The term “Japa” is derived from the Yoruba language, meaning “to depart or move away”

[3]

. There are various reasons why people are migrating (Japarism) today. This study seeks to encourage “Japada” (return home) instead of “Japa” (depart). This Japa syndrome is frustrating because while Nigeria lags behind in development, other nations benefit from the fruits of our labor. Below are some of the causes of “japarism” in Nigeria.

2.1. Unemployment

One of the major reasons why the youth are leaving the shores of Nigeria is the lack of employment opportunities. Yearly, our higher institutions are rolling out graduates in large numbers without a place to work. The young who have labored to undergo the academic rigor of school always want to see the best and enjoy the best after graduation. For many, their expectations are high, but due to a system that is not functioning, they are disappointed and left with the only option of leaving the country in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, getting work in Nigeria is no longer based on merit but on connections. Without ties to the movers and shakers of our political landscape, there are no job openings. People are encouraged today to attend school, but there are no jobs after graduating. Another critical issue is that many industries do not want to employ Nigerian graduates because they consider them incompetent; they prefer to hire those who studied abroad

[4]

. This reason shows a lack of trust in our education sector. Ore’s comment is worthy of note:

During the 1980s oil price collapse, which caused a period of economic stagnation, the economy proceeded to slide into utter poverty. Several infrastructure facilities have collapsed, leading to a decline in employment prospects and living standards. This decline is due to a decline in foreign exchange profits as well as dishonesty and executive fraud at the level of national leadership. Nearly 14,000 African scientists, engineers, medics, and teachers moved to the United States and Britain between 1962 and 1972, according to a report by the International Labour Organization

[2]

The issue of unemployment must be carefully addressed to ensure our able-bodied individuals are not left at home for national development. The government should find a way to create joy for the teeming youth who roam aimlessly around the streets. The proceeds from subsidy removal should be diverted into creating jobs for the youth. The government should also be deliberate about its empowerment programs, as this will help reduce the migration of our youth to the UK, US, and Canada.

2.2. Insecurity

Another factor that has led to this mass migration from the shore of Africa is insecurity. The primary aim of every government is to protect the lives and properties of its citizens, but in a situation where the government fails in this area, the young population who consider their previous lives important will have no other reason than to move out of an insecure community to where they consider themselves safe and secure. Insecurity is also driving out investors from the soil of Nigeria. No one would like to invest in an unsafe environment. The recent surge in kidnapping, money rituals, and herdsmen attacks in various nooks and crannies of the nation is seriously worrisome and instilling fear in the hearts of citizens. There is no part of the nation that is safe today; from north to south and east to west, insecurity is ravaging the land. We talk of communal and sectional violence in the Middle Belt, militancy and criminality in the Niger Delta, and Boko Haram in the Northeast

[4]

. That is why Omeh et al.

[13]

argued that Nigeria is regarded as one of the most severely affected countries in Africa when it comes to migration. Those considered part of the labour force are daily abandoning their homeland in search of a better and more secure life. The main reason cited is the persistent Boko Haram attacks on innocent citizens, using the northeastern part of Nigeria as a case study. According to them, the region has experienced serious setbacks and economic stagnation since the onset of this crisis. Today, Nigerians cannot sleep with both eyes closed. The issue of violence and insecurity is causing people to flee the nation in search of a safe and secure environment.

2.3. Political Challenge

Among the leading factors of this Japarism is the political crisis. Nigeria, as a sovereign nation, has not been able to get it right politically. Since the onset of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, it has been from one political failure to another. Nigeria's democratic journey has been marred by violence, resulting in the wanton destruction of lives and property

[5]

. The types of politicians that have come on board are people full of greed and self-centeredness. Since independence to date, it would not be out of place to say that the nation has not gotten politics right. While commenting on the political situation in Nigeria, Nwobodo, citing Umoh, opines:

Nothing works in this country. Till now, the power sector is worse; there are bad schools, and people die daily in the hospitals that have become like roadside chemists. Nobody is accountable; they use our money for committees and others for themselves, not for the welfare of the people …. Bad governance in Nigeria has turned into a culture; I wonder if any Nigerian politician, leader, or president is fulfilling their electoral promises. May the Lord help us…. What we have as political parties is a joke. They are just a group of people interested in meeting their own needs. These politicians are just a bunch of self-serving people who do not care about this country as long as they benefit wherever they go. Our political parties are a sham. No ideologies, nothing! How can there be when the politicians need to stay in more than one long enough to grow them, like in the developed countries

[5]

Today, most of our political leaders, as well as those involved in decision-making, are entangled in corruption, power abuse, and various forms of unethical practices. They are swept away by these negative actions to the extent that they neglect the national policies aimed at improving the lives of ordinary citizens

[6]

. Therefore, our political system requires a complete overhaul to create and establish a framework that will serve the best interests of Nigerians and attract those from beyond our shores back home for socio-economic development. These are the factors that the current leadership of the nation needs to address.

2.4. Education Challenges

The education sector of the nation has been in a comatose state; it is in critical condition and requires attention. The rate at which our children are moving out of the country to seek higher degrees is alarming. Most of our higher institutions lack basic infrastructure, and this has led many of our students to seek admission outside the nation. After their studies, they often decide not to return but prefer to settle abroad. The issue of the ASUU strike has also led some students to seek opportunities in neighboring countries. Students who are supposed to spend four years in school may end up spending six or even eight years in university due to constant strikes. The ASUU strike has not helped the students but has caused many of them to think outside the box and seek better universities abroad. Therefore, these loopholes in our universities often prompt some of our young people to migrate to other countries for their education

[4]

2.5. Poor Economic

The unstable situation in our economy has led to the migration of youth in search of a better life and greener pastures. Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty. Hardly do people live on a dollar a day. Poverty is ravaging the land like a plague, and making ends meet is becoming increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian. Before, the divisions were always the upper class, the middle class, and the poor, but today, there is a serious change in the trend of events. The division is now between the upper class, which includes the elite or political class, and the poor. The major contributing factor to the decline in our economy is corruption. Corruption today is systemic. There is corruption in almost all facets of national life, starting from the local, state, and Federal government. Corruption must be dealt with before it destroys the entire future of this promising nation. We need a corruption-free Nigeria in order to develop our socioeconomic lives. A corrupt society will open doors for investors to come and invest in the land without fear. Our youth will also want to stay behind and build their father's land. A corruption-free society will bridge the gap between the upper class and the middle class and lead to greater improvement in the economy of the nation. Others give a critical overview of the present economic situation and the underdevelopment of some geopolitical zones of the nation; for instance, the South East Nigeria is blamed on migration. The japa syndrome has not only affected the development of the area but has also brought about the issue of brain drain. This calls for a critical and urgent review if the nation is to regain its lost glory as the giant of Africa. Suffice it to note that if these changes happen, the leaders must be ready to deal with corruption headlong and stop the blame game

[14]

2.6. Leadership Failure

Leadership is influence; it determines the strength and growth of an organization. Effective and credible leadership leads to national development, while weak and ineffective leaders weaken the nation. No nation on earth can grow beyond the strength of its leader. In most African countries, our major problem has been that of leadership. People are becoming tired of the inability of those in leadership positions to deliver. Aside from the corrupt tendencies of our leaders, it seems they are clueless regarding what to do to bring about progress on the continent

[6]

. To quote Chinua Achebe

[7]

, "Nothing is wrong with Nigeria’s land; the problem is leadership." Since independence, it has been from one leadership failure to another. According to Nwobodo

[5]

, “leadership failure in the country has forced the citizens, particularly the youth, to pass a vote of no confidence in the government. " From all indications, leadership deficiencies and bad governance are among the leading causes of brain drain in Nigeria. Because of poor leadership, Nigeria is labeled as the headquarters of poverty. Bad leadership has stagnated economic growth and destroyed the trust the people have in their nation. Nwobodo, citing Umoh, submits:

The dearth of sectoral vibrancy and performance, facilitated by the lack of commitment to transparency and accountability by the legislative and the executive, constitutes the bane on which the “Japa syndrome” has taken over the youths and professional populations in the country

[5]

It is quite unfortunate that the leaders voted in by the citizens have failed woefully in good governance and sustainable development. Instead of building lasting infrastructure, they end up building themselves. They neglect the cries of the same citizens who voted them in and put effort into rising torts that will fight the citizens. Therefore, to address this predicament, we need to yield to Achebe's advice for our national leaders to show willingness and credibility in fulfilling their responsibilities and to lead by example.

3. Effect of Japa Syndrome on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria

It is unfortunate today that the dominant population of our youth is leaving the soil of Nigeria with great joy in search of better opportunities due to the deplorable state of our nation. Below are some of the effects of the Japa syndrome on the socio-economic situation of Nigeria.

To start with is brain drain. There are many Nigerian intellectuals abroad; the skilled individuals who could have helped tackle our socio-economic challenges are out there developing other lands. This is commonly referred to as “human capital flight.” By this, we mean the mass movement of skilled personnel from one country to another. The term "brain drain" is considered the mass movement or relocation of the most qualified labor force from one region to another. This is done basically for a better socio-economic situation or better wages.

The term "labor migrants" refers to people who are either employed or looking for work in the host country or who have previously been employed or looking for employment but were unable to continue working and remain in the host country regardless of their paperwork. According to Ore and Akintayo, skilled labor migration occurs when scientific, technical, and leadership talent is lost through emigration

[2]

. Since the 1970s, the socio-economic situation of the nation has been severely affected by the exodus of experts. Well-skilled and intelligent Nigerians are leaving, drawn by superior research and educational facilities, better employment, improved living and working conditions, and higher pay. While the precise figure of Nigerians emigrating is unclear, government records indicate that 33,677 migrated to 63 countries in 1975, with an additional 59,209 departing a decade later. By 2021, that figure had increased threefold since 1985. Reports from the United Nations World Population, as noted by Nduka and Avegbenga

[8]

, indicate that "Nigeria’s net migration rate for 2024 is expected to be -0.267 per 1,000 population (representing a 2.2% decrease from 2023, which was -0.273 per 1,000 population).

The migration of highly skilled Nigerians has, over the years, led to a brain drain in critical industries like healthcare and technology. Within the last five years, the number of health workers who have migrated is alarming. As a result of this trend, the nation faces numerous challenges, including brain drain and a shortage of human capital. These capable individuals moving out of the country in search of a better life are affecting the developmental pace of the nation. Various reasons are postulated for brain drain in Nigeria, some of which include a lack of economic opportunities, insufficient employment options, political unrest, inadequate basic socio-amenities, and a low standard of living. The main push and pull factors for brain drain in Nigeria are as captured by Ore and Akintayo.

The push and pull factors also lead to brain drain in Nigeria. These push factors in Nigeria include insecurity, lack of social amenities, political instability in some regions of the country, underemployment, unemployment, better career expectations, and desire for a better life." However, pull factors also cause brain drain in Nigeria. The pull factors include economic prosperity in other countries, easy access to health care services, substantial funds for research, and better facilities that ease the movement of people, like better transport services, and good roads

[2]

The push factors are the factors that make people leave their own nation for another, while the pull factors are the factors that attract people from one country to another. As mentioned above, there are various factors pushing people out of Nigeria into other nations, which include insecurity, political crises, economic challenges, etc., while the pull factors include better pay, socio-amenities, job security, etc. One of the leading causes of brain drain in Nigeria is job opportunities. The working conditions in Nigeria, when compared with those in other European nations, are on the low side. The other theory is the dual labor market; this theory posits that migration comes from the intrinsic labor demands of modern industrialized countries

[9]

. Nduka and Avegbenga

[8]

define brain gain as involving the return of technology, innovation, and capital to Nigeria via proactive and patriotic citizens keen on driving economic growth. The nation must guard against inconsistency, inexperience, nepotism, and tribalism in order to have more brain gain than drain in all our sectors.

3.1. Fall in Educational Standards

Apart from brain drain, another major effect of the "japa" phenomenon is the fall in educational standards. When highly skilled teachers, trained by experts in their various fields of specialization, leave for another country, the educational standard of the nation is seriously affected. The education sector of the nation has suffered as a result of many well-trained teachers and professors moving out of the country in search of better opportunities. When these intellectuals leave, the incompetent and unskilled take over. Therefore, the culture of automatic employment for first-class graduates must be revisited and encouraged in all our universities.

On the contrary, the absence of academic integrity is creating great gaps in Nigeria's education system. Regrettably, our young people prefer not to use their intellect; all they wish to do is to copy and paste. Reading has turned into a difficult task for our young people today. The cause of our national problems today is traced to the manipulation and corruption that is taking place in our education sector. Education is the bedrock for national development, but “if the foundation is destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" goes the saying of the Holy Bible. We see more quacks in nearly all our sectors. Today, you will come across quack teachers, doctors, nurses, pastors, engineers, and fake professors. In Nigeria today, it is nearly impossible to find a profession free of quacks. Also, the absence of individuals of integrity in our education sector has inflicted greater damage on our national development. Unfortunately, people desire to become wealthy now without putting in effort. Everyone is pursuing an improved life without dedication and commitment to service. Many desire to succeed without hard work; they long to own luxury vehicles without educational accomplishments. They desire the crown but not the cross and gains without pains. What a tragic situation!

3.2. Static Growth

The growth of any nation depends on the strength of its workforce. When the work is low, the growth of the nation will be static. In a situation where the national workforce is up-to-date, maximum productivity can be achieved. The textile, telecommunication, healthcare, and other sectors are suffering today because they are being handled by nearly incompetent hands. One of the reasons for poverty in the land is that capable individuals, competent enough to handle the socio-economic situation of the nation, have moved to another country in search of better opportunities. The unfortunate reality is that these able-bodied individuals are the ones used to grow the economy of other lands while neglecting their fatherland. The nation has lost a large sum in terms of tax revenue due to the migration of skilled and intelligent people. Today, we are looking for credible individuals to help tackle most of our challenges, but unfortunately, these skilled professionals are boosting the GDP of other nations

[4]

. One understanding that I have is that no one will help you build your own land; Nigerians must rise and build instead of jumping from one country to another in search of where the pasture is green. If we are to see the Nigeria of our dreams, then all hands must be on deck to build our nation. China is leading today in terms of technology because they accepted the responsibility to build their own land.

3.3. Spiritual and Family Life

This japarism not only affects the socio-economic life of the nation, but it also impacts the home front. Many breadwinners who left home in search of greener pastures never return, leaving women to struggle alone to sustain the family. There are more broken homes today than ever, with children growing up without a father figure. Children are left to roam the streets without formal education. As a result, some who could be presidents of Nigeria are still wandering the streets without a specific direction or purpose in life. Some have become drug addicts, hooligans, kidnappers, and, worse still, constitute a threat to the peace of society. Others, due to peer pressure, have turned to Yahoo. Other women who could not maintain discipline and keep their bodies are now in prostitution; what a sad situation. Some others, in search of better opportunities abroad, engage in marriage with white ladies.

In terms of their religious life, for some it is virtually nonexistent, while for others, it presents a chance to serve God further. Mostly, in order to make ends meet, some do not have enough time for church worship. Some even take shifts on the Lord’s Day just to cope with their bills and taxes. Consequently, their degree of spirituality cannot be equated to what it was when they departed. Some perceive the individuals who introduced the gospel to Africa as living recklessly and have begun to engage in similar behavior. They have forsaken the God whom they called upon to open doors for their breakthrough and are now chasing after materialism. Numerous individuals no longer uphold their position in Christ. Just as the words of Jesus say (Matt. 24: 12), "Because iniquities will abound, the love of many will wax cold.” The love and faith of so many are not only waxing cold but also dying in foreign lands. There is a need to Japada into spiritual retreat to re-fire for the end-time revival.

3.4. Fall in Our Healthcare

Within the space of the last three years, the number of medical personnel who have migrated from Nigeria has increased significantly. The migration of health officers has affected healthcare in Nigeria. Research conducted recently revealed that most nurses and health workers are leaving Nigeria for the UK, US, and Canada, leading to a shortage in our healthcare. The total number of Nigerian-trained doctors in the UK as of 2022 stood at 10,387. By all indications, Nigeria now has the third-highest number of foreign doctors licensed in the UK as the nation continues to suffer brain drain in this sector

[10]

. To worsen the situation, most Nigerian politicians are now medical tourists to the UK and France. Uncomfortable with the state of our health sector, they flee the country for treatment abroad at the slightest headache. According to Ogbenika, their inability to fix the Nigerian healthcare system forces them to leave the nation for treatment. The Japa syndrome has become a bane to the development of the nation’s health sector while many of its citizens excel in various fields abroad. The statistics below show the rate at which health workers are leaving Nigeria (4). The statistics below show the rate at which health workers are leaving Nigeria.

Table 1. Data of Health Workers Leaving Nigeria.

	Kingdom	United States	Canada	New Zealand	Ghana	South Africa	Bahamas	United Arab Emirates	Malta	Central America	Spain	Denmark	Bahrain	Sydney	Total
2004	1564	1024	2153	53	40	81	57	27	19	127	14	0	0	0	5159
2005	1047	1432	2800	50	31	71	44	38	24	136	11	0	0	0	5684
2006	968	2517	1881	42	50	92	51	33	14	102	7	0	0	0	5757
2007	94	1211	1518	47	55	102	48	42	26	154	27	0	0	0	3324
2008	96	1146	1194	18	25	26	45	12	12	70	9	0	0	0	2653
2009	24	692	843	5	32	73	27	9	1	90	0	0	0	0	1796
2010	51	646	661	26	9	62	39	33	2	72	9	0	0	0	1610
2011	28	581	378	3	48	38	12	21	2	29	0	7	0	0	1147
2012	15	203	167	0	6	26	13	9	0	0	3	0	3	12	457

Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2012, nurses leaving Nigeria, Abuja headquarters as captured by Omolola

[11]

Subsequently, the crux of this paper is how we encourage “Japada” in the health sector of the nation so as to address this criticism of quacks. These lacunas have paved the way for the practice of quacks in the health sector of the nation, which has led to the death of many while others suffer permanent deformities. Another critical issue confronting our health sector is the departure of key pharmaceutical companies like GSK and Sanofi-Aventis that have left the country in a confused state. This has led to soaring prices of medicine and other medical equipment

[8]

. For a developing nation such as ours, we need to pay close attention to this critical area of our national life. Something must be done urgently to address the brain drain in our health sector. The push factors that are causing brain drain must be checked to pull our competent health workers back home and to retain those who once worked in our health institutions. Therefore, the hazard allowance, good welfare packages, and other pertinent issues must be properly addressed.

Additionally, Omolola suggested that migration has always been discussed from one perspective, but should rather be seen from a global viewpoint. It should assist in creating a strong, efficient, and economic system vital for sustainable growth. To ensure that labor mobility leads to economic development, global production levels need to increase, and the net advantages of migration should surpass the alternatives; these benefits should be realized by the migrants, their home economies, and the host nations. Looking at the benefits from both the sending and destination socio-economic contexts, as the migrant considers the possibility of becoming a blessing to the country they are moving to, the nation they are leaving must not suffer brain drain. This is an area where most Nigerian immigrants fail; they think independently and not globally. Consequently, this is a serious caution for Nigerians moving out of the country: think globally and not selfishly. This is where diaspora remittance becomes a blessing rather than a curse. Diaspora remittance has been defined as “funds transferred by diasporas residing and working outside their residential countries to their home economies.” Most diaspora remittances are often motivated by the desire of the migrant to support their families or invest in their home countries

[12]

. This suggests that there is no relationship between diaspora remittances and socio-economic development. That is why this study argues that the government should wake up to its responsibilities and address the key drivers of the Japa syndrome in the nation instead of depending on the so-called diaspora remittances. Let skilled Nigerians stay and build the nation; if we don’t build our nation, nobody will build it for us. The unfortunate fact today is that more members of the nation's labor force are planning to move out of the country, and the leadership of the nation is doing little or nothing to stem this tide. The present situation in the country continues to push those who are considered to be the strength of the nation toward foreign lands, but the government is doing nothing to bring them back home. The time to set machinery in place to check the rise in migration is now

[15]

Hence, the main issue addressed in this paper is how we encourage “Japada” (returning home) instead of Japarism. How do we bring back the skilled Nigerians serving in the American army to assist us with the issue of insecurity? How do we bring back the skilled Nigerians working within the economic system in China to help with the challenges of unemployment and socio-economic issues confronting the nation? How do we bring back the skilled Nigerian doctors practicing in America, the UK, and Canada to address the issues in our healthcare? How do we bring back the skilled Nigerians employed in leading global ICT companies to assist with technology and cybersecurity? How do we bring back most Nigerians who are making a global impact to help us tackle the current challenges confronting the peace and progress of this great nation?

4. Conclusion

This paper analyzes the impact of the recent trend known as Japa. The study indicates that migration has been present since the dawn of time; nevertheless, the term "Japa" is a recent phenomenon in Nigeria. Effects include brain drain, which has resulted in an increase of charlatans in nearly every field. These unqualified individuals are the ones managing the socio-economic issues in Nigeria today. Due to these charlatans, the country's economic indicators remain unchanged, causing elevated inflation. To endure the current situation, the country must constantly borrow to fund its budget. Hence, it is essential to reexamine the push and pull theory of migration critically. The government needs to tackle several critical issues driving our large population to leave the country and create the appropriate incentives to encourage those living abroad to return for national progress. The issue of security must be addressed head-on. And as a way of strengthening our economy, the government must create a conducive environment for investors. We can't go on like this; urgent action is needed to tackle this brain drain.

5. Recommendations

1. The push factors of brain drain in Nigeria should be properly addressed by the government by creating job opportunities for the teeming youth and paying close attention to the issue of insecurity.

2. Develop frameworks that will grow the workforce for national development, including policies that help retain our youth in the country. Encourage local content and improvements in the area of ICT.

3. The government should invest in social amenities that will improve the quality of life for citizens.

4. The government should also implement policies that will encourage those outside the nation to return home.

5. Corruption and nepotism must be eradicated at all levels of government.

Abbreviations

ICT	Information and Communication Technologies
UK	United Kingdom
US	United States

Author Contributions

Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Writing – original draft,

David Luka Gofwan: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Writing – review & editing

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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[7]	Achebe, Chinua. The trouble with Nigeria. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers, 1983.
[8]	Nduka, Nkechi Ntaka & Andrew Ese Avegbenga ‘Japa Syndrome’, Bottleneck to Economic Development in Nigeria. Npd.
[9]	Samuel Antwi Darkwah and Nahanga Verter. “Determinants of International Migration: The Nigerian Experience” in Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 62(2): 321-327. P 322.
[10]	Ugochukwu Remigius Ihezie, Esther Nkechi Okoro and Nnadede Augustine Chinatu. “Impact of migration and remittance on economic growth in Nigeria: dynamic ordinary least square model” in Journal of Advanced Education and Sciences, 2025; 5(2): 15-26.
[11]	Omolola S. Olarinde. “Migration, Human Capital Formation and Economic Growth in Nigeria” in https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335749991
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[13]	Omeh Paul Hezekiah, Tobechukwu C. Leo-Nnoli, Abada Ifeanyichukwu Michael. Impacts of Migration on the Economy of North-East Nigeria. Science Research. Vol. 9, No. 4, 2021, pp. 55-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20210904.13
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Akinola, O. A., Gofwan, D. L. (2026). A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 12(2), 100-107. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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Akinola, O. A.; Gofwan, D. L. A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2026, 12(2), 100-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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Akinola OA, Gofwan DL. A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2026;12(2):100-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12,
  author = {Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola and David Luka Gofwan},
  title = {A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {2},
  pages = {100-107},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  abstract = {This study explores the impact of Japa Syndrome on Nigeria's socio-economic development. The phrase "Japa Syndrome" (migration) is a recent phenomenon in our nation’s history, frequently used by young people who feel disillusioned and tired of the current circumstances. The youth, considered bridge builders and future leaders, are predominantly the ones departing the country each day in pursuit of better opportunities. The pace at which Nigerians are leaving the country is concerning. These circumstances have adversely affected the nation’s socio-economic development and growth, as those identified as able to manage and contribute to economic and political progress are leaving daily. What factors contribute to this large-scale migration? What impact does Japa Syndrome have on our socio-economic progress and national development? What must be done to stop this menace among the youth population? What strategies can we implement to address the issue of brain drain in our country? What role must the government play to control this surge? These and other salient questions this article seeks to answer. This study adopts the push and pull theory of migration developed by Ernst Georg Ravenstein in his work, “Law of Migration” (1885). The specific objectives of this paper are to ascertain how unemployment, insecurity, unstable political situations, and, worst of all, leadership failure in the nation have led to mass migration; assess their implications on our national development; and propose effective strategies to manage this Japa Syndrome among Nigerians for the sake of national and socio-economic development.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria
AU - Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola
AU - David Luka Gofwan
Y1 - 2026/04/14
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12
DO - 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12
T2 - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JF - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JO - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
SP - 100
EP - 107
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-1832
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12
AB - This study explores the impact of Japa Syndrome on Nigeria's socio-economic development. The phrase "Japa Syndrome" (migration) is a recent phenomenon in our nation’s history, frequently used by young people who feel disillusioned and tired of the current circumstances. The youth, considered bridge builders and future leaders, are predominantly the ones departing the country each day in pursuit of better opportunities. The pace at which Nigerians are leaving the country is concerning. These circumstances have adversely affected the nation’s socio-economic development and growth, as those identified as able to manage and contribute to economic and political progress are leaving daily. What factors contribute to this large-scale migration? What impact does Japa Syndrome have on our socio-economic progress and national development? What must be done to stop this menace among the youth population? What strategies can we implement to address the issue of brain drain in our country? What role must the government play to control this surge? These and other salient questions this article seeks to answer. This study adopts the push and pull theory of migration developed by Ernst Georg Ravenstein in his work, “Law of Migration” (1885). The specific objectives of this paper are to ascertain how unemployment, insecurity, unstable political situations, and, worst of all, leadership failure in the nation have led to mass migration; assess their implications on our national development; and propose effective strategies to manage this Japa Syndrome among Nigerians for the sake of national and socio-economic development.
VL - 12
IS - 2
ER -

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Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola

Department of Religion and Philosophy, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0006-8142-229X
David Luka Gofwan

Theological Studies, ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0003-9888-3226

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Table 1

Table 1. Data of Health Workers Leaving Nigeria.

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APA Style

Akinola, O. A., Gofwan, D. L. (2026). A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 12(2), 100-107. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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ACS Style

Akinola, O. A.; Gofwan, D. L. A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2026, 12(2), 100-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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AMA Style

Akinola OA, Gofwan DL. A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2026;12(2):100-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12,
  author = {Olaniyi Akintunde Akinola and David Luka Gofwan},
  title = {A Critical Evaluation of Japa Syndrome and Its Effect on the Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {2},
  pages = {100-107},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20261202.12},
  abstract = {This study explores the impact of Japa Syndrome on Nigeria's socio-economic development. The phrase "Japa Syndrome" (migration) is a recent phenomenon in our nation’s history, frequently used by young people who feel disillusioned and tired of the current circumstances. The youth, considered bridge builders and future leaders, are predominantly the ones departing the country each day in pursuit of better opportunities. The pace at which Nigerians are leaving the country is concerning. These circumstances have adversely affected the nation’s socio-economic development and growth, as those identified as able to manage and contribute to economic and political progress are leaving daily. What factors contribute to this large-scale migration? What impact does Japa Syndrome have on our socio-economic progress and national development? What must be done to stop this menace among the youth population? What strategies can we implement to address the issue of brain drain in our country? What role must the government play to control this surge? These and other salient questions this article seeks to answer. This study adopts the push and pull theory of migration developed by Ernst Georg Ravenstein in his work, “Law of Migration” (1885). The specific objectives of this paper are to ascertain how unemployment, insecurity, unstable political situations, and, worst of all, leadership failure in the nation have led to mass migration; assess their implications on our national development; and propose effective strategies to manage this Japa Syndrome among Nigerians for the sake of national and socio-economic development.},
 year = {2026}
}

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