Nigeria's Economy
Japa: Nigeria's Emigration Wave
How economic hardship drove a wave of skilled Nigerians to emigrate, known as "japa", the effects on health care and tech, and the role of remittances.
“Japa” is Nigerian slang meaning to flee or escape, now used for emigration.
The wave
- From around 2021, many young, skilled Nigerians emigrated to the UK, Canada, the US and elsewhere.
- Drivers: inflation, unemployment, insecurity and currency collapse.
Doctors and nurses
- Thousands of Nigerian doctors and nurses moved abroad, especially to the UK.
- This worsened shortages in Nigerian hospitals.
Students
Nigerians became one of the largest groups of international students in the UK, until dependant visa restrictions in 2024.
Remittances
Nigeria receives around 20 billion dollars a year in remittances, one of Africa’s largest.
Brain drain vs gain
- Loss of skills and tax revenue.
- Gains from remittances, networks and possible returns.
Comparison with India
Like India’s diaspora, Nigeria’s emigrants send money home, but Nigeria’s smaller economy feels the loss of skilled workers more acutely.
A young doctor in Lagos passes UK medical exams and moves to an NHS hospital, earning many times more, while her former hospital struggles to replace her.
It creates remittances but also skill shortages at home.
- "Japa" describes Nigeria's emigration wave since around 2021.
- Many doctors and nurses left, especially for the UK.
- Nigeria receives about 20 billion dollars a year in remittances.
- Emigration brings both losses and gains.
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