The House of Representatives, on Thursday, unanimously voted against a motion seeking to make the Federal Government address the issues causing Nigerian professionals to migrate to other countries en masse, in search of greener pastures.

A new member of the House, Philip Agbese, had moved a motion titled ‘Need to Declare Emigration of Young Nigerians Abroad A.K.A Japa Syndrome a National Emergency,’ urging the government to “convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively address the ‘Japa Syndrome.’


The phenomenon is popularly known as ‘Japa,’ a Yoruba word that simply means to go away from a problem or trouble.

Agbese also prayed the House to “declare a state of Emergency on the factors that predispose young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria in preference for other nations.”

The lawmaker cited statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, which says a growing number of young Nigerians are relocating abroad. He also said recent reports by the African Polling Institute indicate that 69 per cent of young people would opt to relocate abroad if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.

He added that there is a 40 per cent 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.

Agbese said, “The House is concerned that the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.

“The House is also concerned that the Nigerian population is made of two-thirds of persons under the age of 30 and a good number of these persons are already afflicted with what today is acceptably referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome,’ as estimates indicate a staggering tens of thousands have relocated to the USA, Canada, South Africa and, even, Gambia over the last two years;

“The House is worried that the eagerness to migrate to countries that offer hope seems to have a compelling influence. The House is also worried that those leaving Nigeria 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 and emigrating at a time when their services are needed to build a strong and vibrant economy in Nigeria.

“The House is disturbed that if this scenario continues with our able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into a grave crisis in our critical sectors from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse.”

The lawmaker pointed out that the young population remains one of our greatest assets. “Though the prospects of a growing Nigerians in the Diaspora could be beneficial in a way, it should not be at the expense of our needed manpower,” he added, stressing that it bothers on national pride “when our young bright minds leave the country in droves, conveying an impression that ‘Nigeria is a sinking ship that everyone is rushing to get out of.’”

Agbese also stated that life-changing decisions, whether to stay in one’s country or emigrate, should not be anchored on challenges ranging from insecurity to poor health sector, poor educational system and poor economy, among others.

However, after a ranking member of the House, Dennis Idahosa, seconded the motion, another ranking member, Sada Soli, raised a constitutional point of order to say that the motion would infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians if adopted by the chamber.

Soli said, “Chapter 4 of the Constitution is talking about the fundamental rights; and go to Section 35 talking about the personal liberty of an individual. This motion, as it is, looks nationalistic but it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution.

“It is the liberty of a Nigerian if he is qualified and he is normal, and he has all the granted right of movement (to) anywhere he wants. It is the right of a Nigerian if he has the right qualifications, to go anywhere to source for a living. The Constitution of Nigeria allows even dual citizenship, talk less of moving somewhere to earn a living. If we allow this motion on this floor, it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Opposing Soli, another ranking member of the House, Ahmad Jaha, argued that the motion was more about the factors causing mass exodus from Nigeria and not a restriction of exit from the country. He urged the lawmakers to “be mindful of the prayers of the motion before killing it.”

Jaha partly said, “The mover of the motion is not praying that everybody should be stopped from going abroad. We should take this into consideration. But it is advising because we have to tell each other the truth; the factors enumerated, which are the actual factors or reasons behind people leaving this country to seek greener pastures somewhere (else).

“What he is trying to say in a nutshell is that the international community has identified the reasons why Nigerians are compelled to go outside the country. What he is saying now is ‘let there be a national summit so that all these factors will be given priority, so that at the end of the day Nigerians will be discouraged from going abroad. So, as far as I am concerned, this motion is apt and it should be considered.”

The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase, said “As good as the motion may be, first the fundamental issue raised in the Constitution; no law, including our motions and bills…if you go to Section 1(3) of the Constitution, it says any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution to the extent of that inconsistency is best null and void. So, as far as I am concerned, we have to rule on the point of order (raised by Soli) before we can proceed, otherwise, we will be contributing to the contravention of our own constitution.”

When the Speaker eventually put adoption of the motion to voice vote, the lawmakers unanimously voted against it.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/japa-reps-vote-against-anti-migration-motion/%3famp

Of course! Their children have to japa, and some of them too!

So, the House of Representatives ended up deciding that addressing the 'Japa Syndrome' isn't a pressing issue?

They're basically telling us, "why bother retaining our bright minds and skilled professionals when we can watch them spread their wings and fly away to other countries?"

It's like we're running our own talent export agency, ensuring a steady supply of doctors, bankers, and intellectuals to the rest of the world.

Who needs doctors, nurses, and skilled workers in Nigeria when you have them all chasing after the same pot of garri? That's exactly what they're saying! They don't want to address insecurity, food shortage, etc. It's this they focus on first!

Brilliant strategy, I must say! Maybe we should start a campaign to promote "Japa" as our national sport. Olympics, here we come!

Fools!

Anyone among the Nigeria politicians that is against the "Japa Syndrome" is an enemy of progress

PoliteActivist:
Of course! Their children have to japa, and some of them too!

Ihateheadslamer:
Anyone among the Nigeria politicians that is against the "Japa Syndrome" is an enemy of progress

What they can do is, they can make it more expensive and more difficult to japa

Hmm
I don't mean to be rude, but if your principal, PBAT, said such, you would carry microphone shouting "On your mandate I stand Asiwaju"
Please don't let politics blind you
Japa is not wrong, but people won't be so into it if things were good here
Please don't quote me
I come in great peace 🙂🙏✌️

Ihateheadslamer:
Anyone among the Nigeria politicians that is against the "Japa Syndrome" is an enemy of progress

My green card is ready even if na Cameroon e carry me reach japa na japa. This jagabandit regime I nor sure whether e go pure as agbadorians they hype am. When court finishes all their abracadabra finish and Dem nor return the mandate to the rightful owner then obodo oyibo here I come

What can you say about Buhari the only country he didn't travel to never existed so what are you saying

Debater:
Hmm
I don't mean to be rude, but if your principal, PBAT, said such, you would carry microphone shouting "On your mandate I stand Asiwaju"
Please don't let politics blind you
Japa is not wrong, but people won't be so into it if things were good here
Please don't quote me
I come in great peace 🙂🙏✌️

Make the country better and see if people go Japa.

The place they are japain to, na because the place dey developed.

Agbese also stated that life-changing decisions, whether to stay in one’s country or emigrate, should not be anchored on challenges ranging from insecurity to poor health sector, poor educational system and poor economy, among others.





The devil lives in Nigeria

The hon. Agbese saying Japa should be limited, are his children in Nigeria? And even if his children are in Nigeria, are they schooling in our government owned school ( public schools )?

Ihateheadslamer:
Anyone among the Nigeria politicians that is against the "Japa Syndrome" is an enemy of progress

80% or majority of these politicians' children are based in UK, USA and other developed countries. So they won't allow such a bill to fly. Even the lawmakers championing the bill, likely their children are overseas.

The problem with some Nigerian politicians is that they don't see beyond their nose.

Instead of tackling the remote cause of Japa syndrome,they are going for the immediate causes. Their approach is akin to a quack medical doctor cutting off someone's head just because the person is having headache.

They should come up with bill's that will fix this nation. The solution to Japa syndrome is crystal clear " fix Nigeria,fix Nigeria,fix Nigeria".

Just fix Nigeria and see what happens next,you think most people enjoy living in another man's country like slave's.

Chai...

See the donkey reeling out statistics on japa with full confidence.

I wish he could throw numbers out on the % of Nigerians dying from hunger, and insecurity, plus the causes, and every other ill that'd push one to rather emigrate than want to remain in his/her home country.

Are they playing? What type of playing is that?

Nigerian leaders treat Nigerian s like they owe them something. I see some of them now requesting Nigerians to return from the diaspora. As if these people care about us just want to loot our money

Fix Nigeria first. Then pass bill

Debater:


https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/japa-reps-vote-against-anti-migration-motion/%3famp

Nobody is going any where. We die here. Green horn in the chamber, he does not know since Genesis chapter 11,men are free to roam about

Fight against Japa is a fight against Fundamental Human Right of Movement

Immigration is a natural phenomenon if you are a fan of natgeo wild, you ll observe that animals tend to migrate to places conducive for either reproduction or food and return to base when conditions are favorable for their survival.

Same thing with humans, let the government fix the country and watch emigration drop drastically, it's a no brainier. Funny thing is we Nigerians are so resilient, just give us good road and security along with constant power supply and we ll sort ourselves out

Debater:


https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/japa-reps-vote-against-anti-migration-motion/%3famp

Why are we all running away from our country?

Ok.

So they want make person no for travel again in peace?

When most of their owns kids have american citizenship or live abroad. Useless bill ended up where it belongs, bin

u are crying? we dont want to stay and be feeding ur green chamber cows with our sweat...

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, unanimously voted against a motion seeking to make the Federal Government address the issues causing Nigerian professionals to migrate to other countries en masse, in search of greener pastures.

Nigeria has failed, and it is still failing. I honestly pray we can make right our wrongs, but with these set of politicians we elect and the kinds that INEC selects, we may never get it right.
Instead of addressing the issue that is making young Nigerians JAPA and providing meaningful solutions, this bunch of unthoughtful politicians may end up supporting the FG when they decide to place an embargo on international travels in the future.

Our leaders are losing it. How can you restrict people from migrating to other countries. Are these guys inspired by Kim Jong un

You're also beneficiaries na
so why not