A renowned historian and migration expert, Professor Hakeem I. Tijani, has called for a strategic approach to human migration in Nigeria, arguing that the current “Japa” wave—mass emigration of Nigerians—should not be seen as a crisis but as an opportunity for national development.
Speaking at the First International Conference of the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMGS) at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Tijani introduced two critical but often overlooked aspects of migration: Japada and Jalo.
“We must move beyond merely lamenting the causes and consequences of migration and instead explore how to harness its potential benefits for national growth,” he said.
Japa, Japada, and Jalo: Rethinking Migration
Tijani explained that Japa refers to the mass exodus of Nigerians, often in search of better economic opportunities. However, his research introduces two additional migration patterns:
Japada – The decision to return to Nigeria voluntarily or involuntarily, with the intent of contributing to national development.
Jalo – A complete refusal to return home, either through legal means (work visas, permanent residency) or illegal methods (overstaying visas, undocumented migration).
He highlighted notable Nigerians who have “Japada”, including Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Andela, Flutterwave), Paul Onwuanibe (Landmark Group), and Aisha Raheem (Farmz2u), who returned to Nigeria to build successful businesses that contribute to economic growth.
Challenges and Policy Recommendations
Tijani identified several drivers of migration, including lack of infrastructure, economic hardship, high cost of living, and social pressure. He acknowledged the paradox of brain drain vs. brain gain, emphasizing that while Nigeria loses talent to migration, it also benefits from remittances and the return of highly skilled individuals.
To mitigate the negative aspects of Japa and Jalo, he proposed several policy recommendations, including:
Stronger Migration Agreements: Bilateral partnerships with foreign countries to ensure returning scholars contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Incentivizing Returnees: Offering support to those willing to return and invest in Nigeria.
Remote Work Opportunities: Encouraging global companies to hire Nigerian talent remotely, reducing the need for physical migration.
Education Reforms: Expanding vocational training and upskilling programs to reduce the need for Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad.
A Call for Action
Tijani urged the Nigerian government, educational institutions, and the private sector to shift their focus from preventing migration to managing and benefiting from it. He proposed leveraging diaspora networks, enhancing education and training programs, and strengthening migration policies to create a balanced approach.
“Migration is not a problem. The problem is our failure to harness its benefits,” he concluded.
The CEMGS Conference, which gathered migration scholars, government officials, and international partners, underscored the need for Nigeria to adopt a strategic, data-driven approach to migration that recognizes its potential as a tool for national development.
