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Japa Syndrome: Why are so many young people leaving Nigeria?

The Yoruba word for escape has become shorthand for moving abroad.

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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’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?

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Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with Makuochi Okafor
Producers: Emily Horler and Alex Rhodes
Editor: Verity Wilde

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15 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Jun 2024 02:50GMT
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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  • Tue 18 Jun 2024 17:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service News Internet
  • Wed 19 Jun 2024 02:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

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