The House of Representatives has rejected a motion seeking to stop young Nigerians from leaving the country in search of greener pastures, popularly known as Japa Syndrome.
This was sequel to the presentation of a motion of urgent National Importance by a member from Benue state Mr Phillips Agbese, on the urgent need to declare emigration of young Nigerians Abroad, a National emergency.
Mr Agbese stated that there is a 40% increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation compared to the number captured in 2019, as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020, total 1.7million, which is a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.
The lawmaker observed that the Nigerian population is made of two-thirds of persons under the age of 30 and that a good number of the persons are already afflicted with what today is acceptably referred to as the “JAPA SYNDROME”.
He also notes… “that the recent reports by African polling Institute indicates that 69% of young people would
opt to relocate abroad if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.
Concerned that the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.”
According to him, those leaving the country are not just the poor but middle class who possess skills/workforce including Bankers, Lecturers, Health care practitioners, Doctors, Nurses and trained manpower, all of whom were trained in Nigeria.
He expressed concern that if the scenario continues with the nation’s able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into grave crisis in its critical sectors from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse.
He called for a national summit to address the factors causing the problem.
Speaking against the motion however, a member from Katsina state Mr Sada Soli, argued that the motion contravened the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, which provides that it’s the liberty of a Nigerian if he is qualified, normal and has all the grant rights of movement anywhere he wants.
For a member from Borno state Ahmed Jaha, the bill does not seek to stop young Nigerians from relocating abroad but for the urgent need to address the factors causing it.
After other contributions, the speaker Tajuddeen Abbas put the motion to voice vote, after which majority of the members voted to step it down.
And it was stepped down.
Olusola Akintonde
