Japa! Two sides of the coin

If there is one word that has gained global acknowledgement and attraction in the last three years, especially among Nigerians. It is the word ‘japa.’ Japa is a Yoruba word for a man’s sojourn without an immediate plan of returning home, and or without looking back to have a rethink. It has gained so much popularity among Nigerians. So much so that travelling out of the nation is now commonly known as ‘japa’. Of a truth, many Generation Z are in that category of people who just don’t see any point in remaining in Nigeria if they want to achieve for themselves. Interestingly, one of the preferred nations for Nigerians to run to in the last three years is the United Kingdom. Young Nigerians have taken advantage of the UK’s quality education, the friendly visa process and the immigration policy attached to a student visa, to move in droves to the United Kingdom. Nigerians are no doubt amongst the four largest student communities in the United Kingdom. According to the February 19, 2024 edition of the Business Insider Africa, Nigeria has a record 73 percent year-on-year increase in sponsored study visas. In numerical terms, this meant an increase from 33,958 in the year ending June 2022 to 58,680 in the year ending June 2023.12 Sept 2023.

According to the publication, as at February 2024, Nigerian students are now increasingly turning away from pursuing their undergraduate studies in the United Kingdom, with the number of applicants from Nigeria having a decline of 46 per cent, more than any other country in the period under review.