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Japa-da: Nigerians abroad return home amid dashed expectations
The development is a reversal of the popular “Japa” trend, which has seen millions of Nigerian youths migrate to Europe, America and Asia in search of better living conditions and job opportunities.
The Japa trend
In 2023, the International Organisation for Migration reported that approximately 260,000 Nigerians approached them for assistance to migrate, with the United Kingdom being the primary destination of 80 per cent of them
According to the Nigerian Immigration Service, over 3.6 million Nigerians migrated to other countries within two years.
The NIS Migration Information Data Analysis System showed that about 2,115,139 persons emigrated from Nigeria in 2022, while 1,574,357 left the country from January to September 31, 2023, making it a total of 3,679,496 that had left Nigeria within two years.
But now, some of these Nigerians are returning home to rebuild their lives.
Some of the returnees who spoke said life abroad was not as easy as it seemed, and many of the challenges they faced were hidden behind the glamorous images often shown to others.
Reality far from expectations
A 30-year-old nurse who claimed to have spent two years in the United States, Judith Okoli, said after moving abroad in 2017 for career advancement, the reality of life in the US was far from her expectations.
Okoli, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said despite earning a steady income, the high cost of living, isolation, and racism left her feeling unfulfilled.
According to her, she endured “a lonely life.”
Okoli recalled facing discrimination in her professional life and a persistent sense of exclusion that constantly reminded her that she was not part of the system.
“You just never feel welcomed, whereas in Nigeria, you feel at home,” she added.
Despite earning a decent income, she explained that the high cost of living in the US left little to show for it.
“My rent alone was over $3,000 monthly. By the time you pay for bills, car notes, insurance, and taxes, you begin to wonder, what is the point?”
Driven by a desire to reconnect with her roots, Okoli decided to return to Nigeria in 2019.
Her transition was not seamless; early business ventures in beauty and marketing failed, but she eventually found passion in farming.
She said, “Farming became something I could grow and develop. Five years later, I now have a business I can watch over and expand. My side hustle is now my main hustle.”
She urged Nigerians abroad to reconsider making foreign countries their permanent homes.
“It should be a temporary place to get what you need and come back to do what you truly want,” she emphasised. “Many have been abroad for 10 years and cannot afford a flight home.”
Okoli noted that with proper planning, a consistent income stream, and a commitment to reinvest at home, returning to Nigeria could bring fulfillment, reconnection with family, and a sense of peace that money can’t buy.
“I planned. I failed. I went back. I re-strategised,” she said. “But now I’m back for good, and this time, I’m doing it right.”
‘Mental health made me return’
In a TikTok video, Kenny Igho, who recently returned to Nigeria from the United States, said her decision to move back was driven by unhappiness and mental health struggles.
Kenny, a mother of two, emphasised that her decision was not impulsive but a gradual realisation that she needed a change for her well-being.
She said, “The reason is because I was not happy; I was troubled. I didn’t have peace; I was anxious. Every little thing got me anxious, and I realised I was sliding into a subtle depression, so I’m like, I don’t think I want to do this anymore.
“It wasn’t a spontaneous decision; it was gradual. But at this point, I would say yes, my mind is fully made up. So, am I nervous? No, not anymore. I used to be before I thought of what to do in Nigeria, because going to Nigeria, you have to be sure; it is the truth. You have to know what you want to go and do.
“I have spoken to people. I have told them about wanting to go, and you realise that a lot of people are in your shoes, but the only thing that is stopping them is fear. And for real, I was listening to somebody and he said the barrier between you and your success is fear.”
I quit my job in US – Doctor
Another returnee, Dr Julius Oni, an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, said he quit his job at Johns Hopkins University in the United States and moved back to Nigeria with his family.
Oni, in a video on TikTok, disclosed that he returned to Nigeria after spending 25 years in the US to set up a musculoskeletal care facility.
He said, “Six weeks ago, I relocated from the US to Nigeria. I took a leave of absence from my job at Johns Hopkins, sold my house, sold cars, packed my bags alongside my lovely wife and beautiful children and moved after 25 years of living in the USA
“I know at this point, some of you may call me delusional or even crazy, but I’m neither. I’m just a man full of conviction.
“I happen to believe that Nigerian patients deserve great care, too. As part of my mission, I have started DOC Medical Nigeria, which offers high-quality musculoskeletal care to the population.
“Part of my effort is to provide access to care so that people do not have to travel to access high-quality orthopedic surgery care.”
Another returnee, Summer Aku, revealed the criticism she faced after making her decision to return to Nigeria.
“When I shared my Japada story, some people said my village people had dragged me back to Nigeria. There was nothing people didn’t say,” she recalled.
Aku expressed frustration over being questioned about her return to the “land of her ancestors”.
She noted that many Nigerians, especially those who had never lived abroad, often failed to understand such decisions, adding that explaining to them was a waste of time.
Now running a short-let/Airbnb business in Nigeria, Aku shared how her guests were often Nigerians returning to bury their loved ones.
“It saddens me that many never saw their parents alive, but come back just to bury them. They always express deep regret. Many people don’t realise this life is not a rehearsal; this is it. There’s no second chance to do most things right,” Aku said.
Despite the challenges in Nigeria, she emphasised the irreplaceable value of home.
“It’s unfortunate the problems we have in Nigeria, but truth be told, there is no place like home. Nowhere else allows you to fully be part of family weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies, and graduations.”
‘Nigeria not too bad’
Also speaking, a returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he recently returned from the United Kingdom after spending four years abroad.
He said after completing his studies, he wanted to pursue his PhD.
“But combining that with taking care of my children became overwhelming. That was when I began to seriously consider coming back home to Nigeria,” he added.
For him, the move abroad was meant to be a temporary step towards financial empowerment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
He said since returning home three weeks ago, he had joined his brother in managing a real estate business they had previously co-run while in the UK.
“The situation in Nigeria is not too bad. I already had a connection to a business here. Since coming back, I’ve been settling in quite well.”
He attributed the reasons many Nigerians were returning to cultural disconnection, harsh working conditions, emotional stress abroad, and inability to combine work with childcare.
“There are people who are coming back for some other reasons, such as the inability to cope with life over there; some are not so open to change in culture, food, lifestyle, and the weather. The kind of luxury that we enjoy in Nigeria is not over there.
“Emigration comes with a lot of stress; it comes with its problems. Some people do not have adequate information about life out there; they believe it is all rosy. But unfortunately, it is not; it is a lot of stress. Immigrants do a lot of odd jobs to pay bills, and this takes a toll on their mental health,” he said.
Childcare support
Another returnee, who identified herself as Ifeoma on TikTok, said she relocated from Canada back to Nigeria with her family due to the difficulty of securing a job and finding adequate childcare support after the birth of her second child.
She said, “I was not working, and it was very frustrating. I was basically relying on the money from childcare and other benefits we could get to survive. My husband worked, but we had to source money from Nigeria to pay most of our bills. You can imagine how crazy that was, and it was hectic.”
Recently, a Nigerian lady, Jenny Jones, shared her decision to relocate to Nigeria after living and working in the US for some time.
Having worked in the US for several years, Jones cited burnout and lack of fulfillment as key reasons for her relocation.
“I’m going to Nigeria because I feel I am burnt out in the US and I need a break,” she said, noting that she plans to launch a clothing line in Lagos.
For her, the move represents a chance to pursue entrepreneurship and regain control over her mental health.
“No amount of therapy or supplements can fix the constant mental battle if you are living in a place where you do not feel fulfilled. Do you see the glow up on my face just talking about the fact that I’m moving to Nigeria?” she explained.
The Idowu family, who lived in the US for 14 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024, echoed similar sentiments in a video shared on their YouTube channel two months ago.
Despite holding US citizenship, they said rising crime rates, cultural disconnects, and racism led them to leave.
“America is not the way it used to be,” they said. “We wanted our kids to grow up with morals and without the fear of gun violence. The crime rate in America is skyrocketing. Racism is there as well, especially against the blacks. That is why we returned to Nigeria.”
By Ugoo Aniagoh
From the restoration of electricity at the local government secretariat after 13 years to renewed road, water, sanitation and security initiatives, the Okakpu-led administration is setting its governance agenda in motion.
The administration of Hon. (Dr.) Ikechukwu Okakpu, popularly known as OKD Jnr, and his Deputy, Hon. Ifunanya Nwanadile, has recorded a number of developmental milestones as the duo mark their first 30 days in office as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Since assuming office on October 3, 2026, the administration has initiated interventions across critical sectors, including infrastructure, environmental sanitation, water supply, grassroots governance and community security.
One of the notable achievements recorded within the period is the restoration of electricity at the Njikoka Local Government Secretariat after 13 years without public power supply. The development marks a significant improvement in the working environment at the council headquarters and is expected to enhance administrative efficiency.
In the area of water infrastructure, rehabilitation of pipe-borne water facilities across the local government has commenced, reflecting the administration’s commitment to improving access to basic amenities.
The administration has also strengthened its governance structure through the appointment and inauguration of elected councillors, Supervisory Councillors and Special Advisers to support grassroots representation, policy implementation and effective service delivery.
Environmental sanitation has received considerable attention, with over 100 ad-hoc workers engaged to support waste management, routine cleaning and general environmental sanitation across the local government.
On infrastructure development, the administration has commenced a Public-Community-Private Partnership (PCPP) road project along the Awovu–Osili axis in Enugwu Ukwu. An assessment of Ezi Norbert Road has also been conducted as part of efforts to identify infrastructure needs and explore possible interventions.
Security has equally featured prominently in the administration’s first-month activities. Adopting a zero-tolerance stance towards insecurity, the council has mounted CCTV cameras at strategic locations to strengthen surveillance and improve security monitoring.
In a grassroots-driven security initiative, local traders and street operators have also been engaged as Community Safety Marshals. Equipped with walkie-talkies, the marshals are expected to serve as additional sources of community security intelligence, promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate authorities.
These initiatives represent some of the administration’s early efforts to address longstanding challenges while laying the groundwork for sustained development across Njikoka’s six communities.
Speaking through its first-month performance record, the administration maintains that its focus remains on practical governance, improved public services, environmental responsibility, infrastructure development and a safer community.
Although the administration is still in its early days, its first 30 days have provided an indication of its immediate priorities and development direction.
For residents of Njikoka, the expectation will now be to see these initial interventions translated into sustainable projects, measurable improvements and lasting impact across the local government.
Thirty days down, more work ahead. Njikoka First.
The Federal Government has released guidelines explaining how Nigerians selected for its N50,000 relief grant can confirm their eligibility, accept the offer, access the funds and withdraw the money.
The government also warned beneficiaries against fraudsters seeking to exploit the intervention by demanding money or sensitive personal information.
The National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI) is designed to support vulnerable households struggling with rising living costs.
The programme, managed by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, provides a one-off grant of N50,000 to selected beneficiaries through mobile wallets operated by five approved payment providers.
According to the frequently asked questions published on the programme’s website and sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, the grant is not a loan, requires no repayment and can be accessed without a smartphone or internet connection.
Here are the key things Nigerians need to know about the programme.
1. Who qualifies for the N50,000 grant?
The government said beneficiaries were selected from the National Social Register and verified national identity records.
It explained that individuals cannot apply directly or pay anyone to secure a place on the beneficiary list.
Selection is based on need, with beneficiaries drawn from the six geopolitical zones, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
The government also clarified that payments would be made in phases, meaning not everyone would receive a notification at the same time.
2. How can you check if you are eligible?
Selected beneficiaries will receive SMS notifications from one of the five approved payment providers: ALAT, MoMo PSB, NairaGram, OPay and Moniepoint.
The messages will confirm their selection and provide a USSD code to dial to accept the grant.
Beneficiaries can also dial their assigned provider’s USSD code and select the eligibility-check option to confirm their status.
Those who are not selected will receive a notification informing them that they are currently not eligible for the relief support.
3. How do beneficiaries claim the N50,000?
Recipients are required to dial the USSD code contained in the notification from their payment provider and follow the instructions.
The process activates a mobile wallet, after which the N50,000 is credited and a confirmation SMS is sent.
The government stressed that receiving a selection message does not automatically mean the money has been paid. Beneficiaries must first accept the offer.
Those who mistakenly reject the offer can dial the code again and select the acceptance option.
4. Can people without smartphones receive the grant?
Yes. The government said beneficiaries do not need smartphones or internet access to receive the money.
A basic mobile phone is sufficient because the USSD codes work without an internet connection.
However, customers of OPay, Moniepoint and MoMo PSB can also use their providers’ official mobile applications to access their wallets and carry out transactions.
5. How can beneficiaries withdraw the money?
Beneficiaries can withdraw their funds through Point of Sale agents by transferring money from their mobile wallets and collecting cash.
Each approved payment provider also offers alternative withdrawal and transfer options.
The available USSD codes include:
- ALAT: Dial 94523Account NumberAmount# to transfer funds.
- MoMo PSB: Dial 6710# or use the MoMo NG application.
- NairaGram: Dial 72600#.
- OPay: Dial 95520# or use the OPay application.
- Moniepoint: Dial 557327# or use the Moniepoint application.
Beneficiaries can withdraw the entire N50,000 or take only part of it, leaving the balance in their wallets.
They can also transfer the money to personal bank accounts or other beneficiaries through the available channels.
6. Are there charges for receiving the grant?
The government said accepting the grant, receiving the money and responding to programme SMS notifications are free.
However, POS operators may charge their usual withdrawal fees when beneficiaries collect cash.
Recipients are therefore advised to confirm the applicable charges before completing transactions.
7. What if you have not received an SMS?
The government explained that payments were being made in phases, with payment providers contacting beneficiaries in batches.
Therefore, not receiving an SMS does not necessarily mean an individual has been permanently excluded.
Interested persons can check their eligibility through their assigned provider’s USSD code.
The government, however, warned that nobody could add an individual to the beneficiary list or accelerate payment in exchange for money.
8. How can beneficiaries avoid fraud?
The government warned Nigerians against individuals claiming they could help them secure or release the N50,000 grant for a fee.
It stressed that programme officials and payment providers would never request beneficiaries’ PINs, one-time passwords or Bank Verification Numbers.
Genuine messages will come only from the official sender names of the five approved payment providers and will not contain links.
Beneficiaries were also advised against clicking unfamiliar links, downloading unknown applications or forwarding WhatsApp messages claiming that sharing them would guarantee access to the grant.
The government further warned recipients not to refund money to anyone claiming that the payment was made in error. Such claims should first be verified through the provider’s official customer service channels.
9. What happens if you lose your phone or SIM card?
Beneficiaries who lose their phones or SIM cards should immediately contact their payment providers to secure their wallets.
They should also obtain replacement SIM cards bearing the same phone numbers from their network operators.
The government assured beneficiaries that their money would remain in their mobile wallets even if they lost their phones or SIM cards.
10. What should beneficiaries do if their USSD codes stop working?
The programme advised beneficiaries to check their network signals and retry if their USSD codes fail.
If the problem persists, they should contact their payment providers through their official customer service channels.
The following helplines were provided:
- ALAT by Wema: 0803 900 3700
- MoMo PSB: 671 or 0803 106 7100
- NairaGram: 0201 330 0880 or 0201 330 0881
- OPay: 0700 888 8328 or 0201 888 8328
- NERSI programme: 0700-022-2222
Enquiries concerning mobile wallets and payments should be directed to the respective providers, while questions about the intervention can be addressed to the programme’s helpline.
11. Which organisations are authorised to disburse the grant?
The Federal Government identified five approved payment providers for the N50,000 intervention.
They are ALAT, the digital banking platform of Wema Bank; MoMo PSB, a licensed Payment Service Bank; NairaGram, a digital money transfer service; OPay, a licensed mobile money operator; and Moniepoint, a licensed microfinance bank.
Beneficiaries were advised to deal only with their assigned providers and use official channels for enquiries and transactions.
The government reiterated that beneficiaries do not need to pay anyone, click external links or download unfamiliar applications to access the grant.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Pro-Biafran agitators based in the United Kingdom have challenged the three leading presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections to address the lingering consequences of the Nigerian Civil War and the plight of families affected by the conflict.
The agitators, operating under the platform of the Biafran Diaspora Movement (BDM), specifically challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to make the Biafran question and the concerns of affected families part of their political conversations.
The group expressed displeasure over what it described as the continued reluctance of political leaders to openly discuss measures aimed at addressing the historical grievances surrounding the Biafran struggle.
Speaking with reporters in Awka on Thursday, the BDM Luton Zonal Officer, Adeze Vivian Nzelu-Iheanacho, argued that the campaigns of the presidential contenders should address the political foundations of the country and offer concrete commitments towards healing the wounds of the civil war.
According to her, the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories, particularly among Igbo communities.
“The Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories. For many Igbo families, the consequences of that war are not simply a chapter in history books.
“Decades later, concerns about marginalisation, political representation, insecurity and belonging continue to shape conversations across the Southeast.
“We cannot keep asking why people feel angry or unheard without being willing to listen to what they are saying,” she stated.
Nzelu-Iheanacho noted that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had become a prominent voice in the campaign for Biafran self-determination, adding that its supporters view the movement as an avenue for expressing concerns about identity, political exclusion and the future of the Southeast.
She, however, maintained that the Biafran question transcended any individual or organisation, insisting that changes in political leadership and continued security operations would not automatically resolve the historical and political grievances associated with the struggle.
“The Biafran question is bigger than any individual or organisation. Even when political leaders change or security operations continue, the historical and political questions surrounding Biafra do not automatically disappear,” she said.
She urged the Federal Government to distinguish between legitimate political grievances and criminal activities, arguing that security measures alone could not provide a lasting solution to the concerns driving agitation in the region.
“A government can disagree with IPOB’s demands, challenge its ideas and act against criminal conduct where evidence supports doing so. But these actions do not remove the need to address the deeper issues that keep political grievances alive.
“A problem left unresolved today may become more difficult to address tomorrow,” she added.
The BDM official observed that while political leaders engage in debates, security operations continue and various movements advance their demands, ordinary citizens bear the consequences of the prevailing situation.
She identified mothers worried about the safety of their children, traders afraid of losing their livelihoods, young people uncertain about their future and families struggling to go about their daily activities as among those affected.
“There are mothers who worry about their children, traders who fear losing their livelihoods, young people who wonder what the future holds, and families who simply want to go to work, send their children to school and return home safely,” she said.
Nzelu-Iheanacho maintained that the group’s position was anchored on justice, protection of human life, respect for peaceful voices and the need for government to address genuine grievances.
“Our position is simple: justice must be fair, human life must be protected, peaceful voices must be heard, and genuine grievances must not be ignored.
“Let justice be done. Let innocent lives be protected. Let the people be heard. And let peace be built on truth, not silence.
“Because at the end of the day, beyond the politics and arguments, ordinary people simply want to live, raise their children and grow old in peace. Surely, that is not too much to ask,” she said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring its actions and decisions on behalf of the party invalid.
The ruling also affects the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Atiku had earlier appeared on the list of presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He had also picked former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared unlawful the caretaker committee led by Mark, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which the Mark-led group assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the ADC.
He subsequently approached the court, seeking to invalidate the decisions and activities undertaken by the Mark-led leadership in the name of the party.
The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, included the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The plaintiff also sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, arguing that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought.
The judgment is expected to trigger fresh developments within the ADC as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Meanwhile, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the proceedings as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the judgment.
OPay has explained how Nigerians can determine whether they qualify for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 monthly cash support programme targeted at vulnerable citizens.
The digital financial services company said eligible customers would receive a pop-up notification on the homepage of their OPay mobile application, providing instructions on how to proceed with the registration or verification process.
In a statement shared on its official X handle on Tuesday, the company advised customers to click on the notification and follow the steps provided to access the intervention.
OPay clarified that customers who do not see the pop-up notification on their app are not eligible for the programme.
The company also stressed that it has no responsibility for selecting beneficiaries or determining who qualifies for the Federal Government’s cash support scheme.
According to OPay, Nigerians seeking further information or clarification about their eligibility should contact the National Economic Recovery and Support Initiative (NERSI).
“The ₦50,000 monthly Federal Government cash support is available only to eligible citizens. Eligible customers will see a pop-up notification on their OPay app homepage. Kindly click on the pop-up to proceed with the next steps.
“Kindly note that customers who are unable to see the feature on the app are not eligible for it. Please note that we do not determine your eligibility. Kindly contact NERSI at 07000222222 for assistance,” the company stated.
The clarification comes amid growing interest among Nigerians in the Federal Government’s proposed financial support programme for vulnerable citizens.
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