The ‘Japa’ culture in Nigeria today is well known and regarded as the new Nigerian dream. Though the mass exodus from Nigeria has positive and negative implications, it’s hard to tell the impact the process has on the immigrants themselves and their perspectives and plans towards contributing to the country in the future.
So we asked Nigerians abroad to share their ‘Japa’ experiences and hopes for their future with the country.
1. Dee — Software Engineer in Germany
I left Nigeria majorly because I wanted a new way of looking at life and money, and also because of the insecurity in the country. My expectations were basically to experience a new culture, a new language, new cuisines, new ways of life, and perspectives. So far I’d say I’ve gotten about 70% of those expectations met or at least my experiences have challenged a bias or two of mine. However, my biggest culture shock is how reserved and cold people are towards strangers but yet so warm to those they know.
I currently stay connected to Nigeria through my church group which is predominantly made up of Nigerians and Ghanaians, and I also follow news outlets and social media for virtual connections.
In terms of how I view Nigeria and the many problems our country has, well nothing is completely bad but at this moment, I’d say we’re hanging by a thread in all ramifications. I believe we need a radical 360 (degree) shift or we’re looking at a complete economic meltdown and anarchy as the rule of the day. I do hope Peter Obi gets in, and I also hope he can get the necessary support from the House and Senate, although that’s all a dream.
In terms of helping social causes and positively impacting people’s lives, I believe Nigerians in the diaspora can help a lot in two ways; financially and through the use of social media.
My advice to Nigerians would be to leave the country if you can because the economic, social, and security problems affect your life and your livelihood. But if you can’t or wouldn’t want to leave, I plead with you and everyone who is eligible to vote to come out and vote. Let’s show them (the government) that our voices count.
2. Jessica — Ph.D. student in America
I moved to America to further my education with a Ph.D. So far, I have had culture shocks in terms of how people relate with each other in this society, and also their academic culture. The social atmosphere here is much different from the one in Nigeria. People here are very individualistic and private unlike in Nigeria where everyone in your neighborhood or community could be in your business. Everyone minds their business.
Then there was also the academic culture shock I experienced. Students here have been raised to think outside the box and be very inquisitive. I had to unlearn a lot of the methods of learning that I was taught in Nigeria as those weren’t so practical and didn’t involve a lot of curiosity.
When I’m not at school or work, I keep up with things happening in Nigeria through conversations with my family members who still live in the country. I also keep up with gossip blogs on Instagram and Twitter, and I still have a lot of Nigerians on my WhatsApp Timeline, so I get gist from their status updates.
Although the country has a lot of problems, as an optimist, I believe Nigeria will become much better. The country is pretty young and has a lot of potential so I believe that after undergoing a growth process, it will eventually come out better. I also have plans to contribute to empowering and positively impacting young people in Nigeria with opportunities to grow and build their dreams.
3. Luke — FinTech Operations Specialist in The Netherlands
I left Nigeria to gain the experience I needed to fulfill my purpose. My experience here has been better as I’ve learned a lot and I’ve built very valuable relationships for life.
In terms of culture shock, the only thing I have experienced is that people in the Netherlands are much friendlier than I imagined.
I am very much connected with Nigeria through friends, family, and my network and I don’t think Nigeria is in a bad state in many areas. Security is probably the only issue I think is worth worrying about, and it’s still kept within certain regions. If Nigeria gets better is not my opinion, the country is always getting better and I’ve been a huge beneficiary of the progress and development of Nigeria.
I contribute a lot to nonprofits and I have investments in Nigeria, that’s how much I believe in the future of the country.
My message to people in the country is to never stop looking for solutions and work towards them because we are the best people to fix things. I’m happy to support people in any way needed.
4. Victor — Master’s Student in the UK
I left Nigeria so I could get access to better opportunities. I’m currently doing my Master’s in the UK and coming here aligned with my personal and professional goals.
I can’t tell how constructive my move to the UK has been just yet. But one thing I’ve noticed is that their systems work and the outcome of your hard work is much more predictable here and less prone to haphazardous factors unlike in Nigeria where things are too unpredictable.
So far, the only culture shock I have identified is the independent nature of most people here. They are very used to doing things on their own and they mind their business. This is different from the strong communal feeling in Nigeria.
I strongly believe that Nigeria will get better. I’m quite passionate about seeing the country get better. I changed the focus of my post-graduate education to Economics because of my goal to learn how to impact the Nigerian economy. I believe we have the resources, and capable people, but we just need a period of good leadership to steer the country in the right direction.
My advice to anyone who wants to leave the country is that you should not think that once you ‘Japa’, problems will cease to exist. You need to plan and be well-informed. You should not feel rushed or pressured to leave because there are obligations you need to be ready for once you leave. As an immigrant, you have to continually add value that is profitable to your host country because that’s why they let you into their country in the first place. Be mentally prepared to do exactly what they granted you a visa to do and think of what you want to achieve before you leave Nigeria.
5. Teni — Tech Support Specialist in the UK
I came to the UK for my Master’s program and for the opportunities that came with it. Having a tech background, I knew that there would be limitless opportunities here for me. The better quality of life and security here also influenced my decision to move.
Settling in was immensely hard for me at first. I had to adjust to a new environment and make friends and balance it all with schoolwork. Since I finished my Master’s degree and got a job, things have become better and the pressure has reduced.
The biggest culture shock for me when I moved to the UK was the sense of individualism in this society. Here, everyone is their own person. They have their own lives and styles and identities.
However, here, more often than not, you have no one looking out for you. You could get robbed and brutalized on the street, and everyone would just hurry past. Nigeria is much warmer. There was a sense of community, and even on the worst days, a “my daughter” from the Bolè woman on the road could light up your day.
Though the environment here is safer and filled with better opportunities, there is really no place like home and my heart is always in Nigeria. I believe the country can get better. What happened with the End Sars Movement changed my life forever. I saw Nigeria and Nigerians in a different light and being here has changed my perception of Nigeria too. It’s home.
I intend to create opportunities for others to thrive in Nigeria when the time comes. I hope Nigerians vote for Peter Obi in the coming elections — I believe he’s our best bet. My advice to Nigerians at home is to keep upskilling. There are so many opportunities everywhere, and time and chance will always bring you to where you’re supposed to be. It’s best to have the skills to leverage those life-changing opportunities.
The best investment you can make right now is in yourself. You can do big things from a small place. So hold yourself to world-class standards and don’t let Nigeria hold you back in mediocrity.
