As a research enthusiast, problem solver, and astute writer and blogger who deeply realizes and understands that everything rises and falls on leadership, I compiled some thought-provoking questions to understand the core reasons, underlying factors, objectives, and psychology behind the relocations of individuals and families whom I know. These are lovely and cogent questions that touch on the minds of many Nigerians in the diaspora. I shared some of their direct responses in this article, although some provided their feedback via audio messages on WhatsApp.
In all of these ongoing scenarios, developments, and happenings, the resultant effect is the increasing brain drain, which is worrisome, sickening, disturbing, and counterproductive in the short-term and long-term for our nation. This “jaapaa syndrome” (local parlance slogan for relocation) seems unending. It appears that our future is relocating.
People relocate abroad for various reasons such as economic opportunities, education, currency exchange advantages, global exposure, career advancement, healthcare, love, and family. Living abroad can be a positive experience for many individuals. Some find it challenging to reflect on their circumstances and experiences. One person simply stated, “I have no regrets,” before ending the conversation. While I have gained insights into life abroad from a sibling with dual citizenship, I have also received detailed, sincere, honest and open responses from visionary Nigerians.
I asked them the following questions and here are their responses. It is my hope that this article reaches our leaders and influencers in Nigeria, urging them to prioritize the nation’s future and well-being. Unfortunately, most past and present leaders have failed to uphold the nation’s glory and future. Nigeria will become a paradise on earth if all its elected and appointed leaders (social, economic, and political) start to view their roles and functions as a sacred calling, rather than an opportunity to divert public funds into personal bank accounts and unlawfully accumulate our shared heritage and wealth.
Please provide your candid feedback on the following questions:
– Is traveling abroad overhyped?
– Is the socio-economic reality abroad not as glamorous as it is portrayed?
– Do the inevitable bills abroad often lead to financial strain on your monthly salary?
– Do you secretly regret your decision to relocate abroad?
– Do you feel like you wasted time and money by traveling abroad?
– Do you believe you are worse off abroad compared to living in Nigeria?
– Are you enjoying the luxuries of life abroad but feeling unfulfilled internally?
– Is the grass always greener on the other side, or do you think all that glitters is not gold abroad?
– Do you feel like you missed out on earning opportunities by not traveling abroad sooner?
– Do you still believe Nigeria is a good country to live in despite its leadership and political challenges?
– Would you consider returning to Nigeria if the country improves politically and economically, or have you decided to stay abroad permanently?
– Is life abroad significantly better in all aspects compared to life in Nigeria?
– Is the pursuit of a higher standard of living the main reason for your decision to relocate?
– Do you consider moving abroad the best decision you’ve made in your life so far?
Please, I would like your candid, honest feedback and prompt response (via messages or audio messages) on these questions: Is traveling abroad overhyped? Is the socio-economic reality abroad not as it is hyped? Is it true that the unending bills that are inevitable will make a mess of your monthly salary/wage abroad? Do you secretly regret your decision of relocating abroad? Are you secretly regretting wasting time and money to travel abroad? Do you think you are worse off abroad than when you are in Nigeria? Are you enjoying the best of life abroad but inwardly feeling unfulfilled almost on a daily basis? Is it really worth it to move abroad or do you think all that glitters is not gold abroad? Do you think you have missed a lot of earning opportunities for not traveling abroad much earlier? Are you of the opinion that Nigeria is still a very good country to live in if not for perennial bad leadership and a kleptomaniac political class that she has had over the years? Do you have a second thought of coming back home if Nigeria gets better geo-politically and socio-economically, or have you jaaaapaaaaa forever and ever? Is life abroad far better in all ramifications and incomparable to life back home by all standards? Is the drive to increase your standard of living your singular reason for jaaaapaaaaaing? Do you think your decision to relocate abroad is the best choice decision of your life thus far?
Here are some responses from educated Nigerians, including individuals with master’s degrees and a Ph.D. student. Their feedback, thoughts, observations, submissions, and responses provide valuable insights for our country.
RESPONSE 1
‘‘To answer few of the questions here,
I’ll start by saying this, people’s WHY will be the perspectives with which their answers would come from.
However, here are my opinion;
>> For the reason I left the country, traveling abroad is not over hyped for me.
>> There are bills but not an unending one,which I believe it’s been value for my money so far.
>> I don’t regret relocating to abroad one bit, however I missed home.
>> What I came here (Birmingham, U.K) for worth every penny have spent on it.
>> In all ramifications, I am better off than while I was in Nigeria, I’ve added more value to my life in all aspects so far.
>> I am enjoying best of life in my level right here (Birmingham) right now, being on the right pathway to destiny fulfilment for me.
>> Any sacrifices does worth making in order to fulfill one’s destiny.
>> I think I’m growing at my own pace.
>> Absolutely yes, Nigeria is a country of many opportunities irrespective of the bad leadership, however having the right leaders in place can only make life easier.
>> I do have businesses in Nigeria that I’m engaging with from here, and I am opening more businesses so I’m deeply connected to Nigeria which makes me to partly live in both countries.
>> Not by all standards, but it depends on WHY you left in the first instance. For example, you can not earn a master’s degree or PhD degree in any main university by paying your way through here. Another example is the fact that you can freely walk around even in the thick of the night without fear here (U.K). So, it all boils down to your ‘WHY’ of leaving in the first instance.
>> Increasing my standards of living was never my WHY, considering the fact that I had a good living standard even while I was at home.
>> At this phase of my development, it’s the best decision. Conclusively, people’s reason for leaving the country will determine their experience and their answers to the questions above.
Note:
I think many Nigerians (in the diaspora) are shocked by the reality of living in an environment where law and order are the other of the day, where they have to pay for every services used and all.’’
RESPONSE 2
‘‘In summary, I miss home. I wish Nigeria was better so I wouldn’t have to be here, but I appreciate the opportunity to come here, work, and experience making this decision myself. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from coming here, as I believe it is beneficial for the mind and personal growth to experience different places. I just wish I didn’t have to do it as a way to escape (jaapaa). I wish I could simply visit and easily return home. In terms of money, you can earn more here, but taxes and bills take a significant portion. However, the more you work and the more diligent and skilled you become, along with the grace of God, you can create a much better life for yourself here than in Nigeria. Overall, it was the right decision for me, especially considering the current worsening situation in Nigeria.’’
RESPONSE 3
‘‘Hi there! I’ll try to summarize my response as there are a lot of questions
I don’t think the decision to leave Nigeria is overhyped, as people have varying reasons for it. In my case, I was eager to further my studies, and it was a good decision for me to make. Nigeria is a good country with its own issues rooted in poor leadership and flawed citizens. It’s always going to be a complex system. No place is perfect, but our biggest problem in Nigeria is the lack of caring leaders who can make basic things work, making life harder than it should be. I don’t regret leaving, as I had my reasons and strongly believed it was the right phase of life to progress into. However, I am not opposed to returning, as I try to keep an open mind about where the next phase of life will lead me, by God’s grace.’’
RESPONSE 4 (via audio message on WhatsApp)
“To me, the “jaapaa syndrome” represents a journey of faith. Based on the personal experiences of individuals I know, the reasons why people leave Nigeria include a desire for a better working environment, improved infrastructure, security for their families, and a system that can reward their skills and expertise generously. I am acquainted with several families in Nigeria who earn millions monthly and are not experiencing hardship, yet they have made the decision to relocate abroad because certain aspects of life are more easily accessible here in the United States than in Nigeria. Being Nigerian is a positive experience, but with better infrastructure, more people would choose to stay. Additionally, individuals are leaving in search of better opportunities to gain global experience and compete with others on an international level. Furthermore, “jaapaa” is simply about exploring God’s creation and thriving in it, as referenced in Psalm 24:1. Emigrating is a blessing, and the countries that receive immigrants benefit from our expertise, experience, and business skills. Taking the risk to “jaapaa” is worthwhile, but it is important to involve God in the journey and decision-making process. It may surprise you to learn that some individuals who initially claimed they would never leave Nigeria now hold dual citizenship. In the United States, if you pay taxes, you receive a tax refund the following year, demonstrating a system designed to support its citizens. Those who leave Nigeria are often tired of praying for basic necessities like electricity, good roads and drainage system and water, whereas in other countries, you pay bills but receive value for your money. Nigeria is enriched by its diverse and vibrant family systems, but individuals can achieve even more with a broader range of experiences.”
RESPONSE 5 (via audio message on WhatsApp)
“Is living abroad over-hyped? My answer is both yes and no. Yes, because many of the challenges and issues associated with relocation are often overlooked, and people tend to focus only on the benefits. However, these benefits come at a cost. No, because over time, once you have settled in, you may find that it is truly worth it. The settling process depends on the route you take – whether you are on a student, skilled worker, or family route, among others. Your chosen route will determine how quickly you can adapt and establish yourself. Some Nigerians living abroad express dissatisfaction and share negative experiences, but your mindset and motivations play a significant role in shaping your reactions. Living abroad means paying for everything you use, such as internet, gas, and electricity, unlike in Nigeria where people often avoid paying bills. This lack of accountability contributes to Nigeria’s economic stagnation. In Scotland, the economy is driven by the value you contribute through your job, which provides you with a salary. The main financial challenge arises when you struggle to find employment to cover your expenses, leading to potential regrets. Once you secure a job, it is essential to practice financial discipline and live within your means by budgeting effectively.”
Additional Notes And Socio-Economic Development Reflections From Response 5
— Our environment here in Scotland is time-sensitive. Time is critical and crucial; it cannot be wasted. It is a purely capitalist environment where money is necessary for many activities, making the initial settling down painful and worrisome. To enjoy your stay overseas, you need a job to afford the minimum standard of living, which is luxurious compared to life back home.
— I relocated abroad with my entire family due to a mindset shift.
— Everything operates within a system. To enjoy the amenities, you are required to pay a significant amount because these services are readily available.
— Food insecurity is not an issue here; no one is allowed to go to bed hungry.
— If your primary goal in moving abroad is to make quick money, you will likely experience regret and hardship. Moving abroad is not a get-rich-quick scheme; discard that notion before relocating. If you seek quick money, it is better to stay in Nigeria. The West requires you to demonstrate the value you can add to the host country’s system. You must prove to your prospective employer that you are a valuable employee. In Nigeria, there is a tendency to focus on earning money without adding value. In the United Kingdom, every penny you earn is a result of your work, whether it involves menial tasks or professional services. The payment here reflects the value you provide.
— Relocating abroad is worthwhile if you seek a meaningful life and a complete mindset shift.
— Nigeria would be better off without bad leadership. Both the followers and leaders need to consistently do the right things at the right time to fix the nation and make it great. Everyone must contribute positively, meaningfully, and purposefully!
— No place, no matter how luxurious or affluent the environment or neighborhood, is perfect; only heaven (the abode of the almighty GOD) is perfect. The ultimate value lies in making everyone valuable. In Scotland, people do not care about what you drive, wear, or where you live. The most important aspect is the value you add to their system, whether consciously or unconsciously.
My Leadership Concerns And Suggestions
Nigeria’s leadership is plagued by insensitivity, corruption, and complacency, affecting even the unborn. The country suffers from poor governance in both economic and political spheres. In February and March 2024, major internet service providers in Nigeria consistently offer subpar services, causing frustration among users. Despite this widespread issue, the government has not taken action to hold these providers accountable. These wealthy multinational companies neglect their subscribers’ needs, while the government remains indifferent. The inadequate internet services and infrastructure deficiencies are prompting individuals and businesses to leave the country, underscoring the leadership’s impact on the nation’s economic and social well-being.
The healthcare system abroad is top-notch. This is the experience of a Nigerian in Canada – “The truth is, no matter how great Nigeria may be, it can’t be like Canada. I can’t imagine being sick and the first thing that comes to my mind is medical bills.’’ “When we gave birth to my son, the cesarean surgery didn’t take more than 15 minutes,” he recalled. “It’s not like calling the surgeon and finding out they are stuck in traffic or something like that.” Our leaders do not prioritize the importance of health as wealth. A wise man once said, “It is risky to be unhealthy or sick in Nigeria now.” Most of our teaching hospitals nationwide are in a sorry and pitiable state. This is one of the reasons why individuals and families relocate abroad due to the healthcare standards and the priority that visionary and exemplary leaders place on the general health care well-being of their citizens. The top-performing countries overall in terms of healthcare systems are Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, France, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Israel, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Australia, among others. Please read more about this information here. What is stopping our so-called leaders from adopting the excellent healthcare system template from these great countries?
Don’t ask what Nigeria can do for you, but what you can do for Nigeria. Please share this article on your social media platforms. Dear friend and reader, in continuation of my nation-building quest and developmental initiative to build a great nation, I strongly urge you to read part two of this article. You will succeed beyond your wildest imagination! You can contact the writer and blogger at richeswisdom50@gmail.com or richeswisdom7@gmail.com.