Japa Syndrome: Why are so many young people leaving Nigeria?
The Yoruba word for escape has become shorthand for moving abroad
What in the World · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
Nigeria is Africa’s economic powerhouse - so why are so many young people trying to leave and find opportunities in other countries? It’s become so common there’s even a word for it: Japa.
Last year, Nigeria’s immigration service issued a record number of passports - almost 2 million.
So when we were in Lagos we spoke to the BBC’s Faith Oshoko, who explained what drives young professionals to move abroad.
And we chatted to students - would they ever Japa? And would they come back?
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: [email protected] Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Makuochi Okafor Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde