What Is The Meaning Of Japa In Nigeria?

Japa in Nigeria has become the new haven, as people are tired of living in their shithole situation. And as you may be aware, Nigeria’s social media is always on alert with new social slang. In this article, we will discuss the what is the meaning of Japa in Nigeria and in what condition it is being used. Beyond the compensation they receive, people are compelled to go to places where they are happier and more supported.

The phrase is deeply rooted in young Nigerians’ desire to permanently leave their country. According to Urban Dictionary, the word Japa is a Nigerian slang derived from the Yoruba language which simply means ‘to run swiftly’ out of a dangerous situation.

Japa originates from two Yoruba words Ja which mean to run and Pa which means to make something seem larger, better, worse, or more important than it really is or needs to be. That said, let’s discuss more on the meaning of Japa in Nigeria in this article

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What Is The Meaning Of Japa In Nigeria

Japa originated from the streets of Lagos Nigeria.

E get why ‘sapa’ and ‘japa’ rhyme shaa. God is not an author of confusion

— OSHOMAH (@JohnNetworQ) August 26, 2021

In Nigeria, the first wave of “Japa” (Nigerian colloquialism for emigration) occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. The young people of Nigeria fled to the West, primarily the US and UK, but some ventured out on a limb to Italy due to the uncertain future they faced as a result of military coups and a turbulent economy. More Nigerians have left the nation throughout the years to pursue their aspirations overseas.

Some of these Nigerians from the diaspora have made a name for themselves in various spheres of human endeavor. Additionally, they are the nation’s financial backbone, sending allegedly about $25 billion each year.

You will recall when Naira Marley made the song that would set him on the path to becoming a viral sensation in Nigeria, the theme was about fleeing from authorities in the UK and escaping Canada.

Flight from what exactly? If you know your Nigerian pop culture, you’d know he was alluding to committing fraud just like D’banj did in “Mobolowo won”.

“I’m on the run, you can catch me if you can. Ja pa, Ja pa, Ja lo Canada”, Naira sings in the chorus about the “popo behind his back”.

While I was wondering about the moral of this song, really it has none; It looks to me like Naira Marley was just encouraging offenders to evade arrest at all costs whenever they do anything wrong. He says people should run to any continent where they would not be found by the uniformed men and be taken back to prison.

I act like I’m alright deep down I want to Japa from this country 😭😭

— Alhaji 🥷 (@Wytemajek) August 26, 2021

The word Japa has always amused me considering the etymology of the slang. Hence, the term’s meaning transitioned to escaping from dangerous situations in ‘sharp guy contexts. The “pa” in “Japa” literally translates as “to death” in Yoruba as in, “Mo jo pa” meaning “I danced to death” or in this case, “Ja pa”, “run like mad”.

Soon, all the doctors in Nigeria will japa to Saudi Arabia. Native doctors get ready to replace them.

— Xpsilver🍥 (@Xpsilver1) August 26, 2021

If you take a microscope to check the heart of most Nigerians, leaving is the only option you will see in there. The majority are tired of the situation in the country and the only option is to Japa.

If you’re tired of 9ja and you want to japa,pls avoid dat country called QATAR🙏🙏🙏No say I no tell you

— enkay jakes (@enkay_jakes) August 25, 2021

No country in the world can gain from japing, the mass brain drain will wreck the country’s economy. In the long run, Japa in Nigeria might even be advantageous to the home country if its inhabitants return strengthened with knowledge, experience, and cash to make investments and promote development.

However, the host nation must be welcoming and the government must be thoughtful and ambitious about its plans and policies for Nigerians living abroad in order to attract these human resources.

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How “Japa” Became the Nigerian Buzzword for Emigration

The phrase is deeply rooted in young Nigerians’ desire to permanently leave their country. Migration is a normal part of the human experience, yet there are many different reasons why people move.

It’s a major undertaking in Nigeria, frequently brought on by financial difficulty. The quest for a higher standard of living abroad has recently acquired a nervous, uneasy character.

The term “Japa,” which means “to run, flee, or escape,” has become widely used to refer to the desire that many young Nigerians have to permanently leave their country.

It represents both a rejection of patriotism and a shift in cultural identity. Japa has been introduced as comedy content on TikTok, with tidbits and advice on navigating international relocation.

Tweets concerning Japa are still on the rise. The term, which derives from the same-titled 2018 Naira Marley song, has been associated with unhappiness among Nigeria’s youth.

Effect Of Japa On Nigeria

According to a report by the Africa Polling Institute published in 2021, seven out of ten Nigerians were open to Japa abroad for a variety of reasons, with many of them experiencing success.

There are reportedly 5,405 Nigerian-trained medical professionals employed by the National Health Services (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK). According to a British government statistic, 3.9% of the 137,000 foreign employees—representing 202 different nationalities—who assisted British doctors and nurses were Nigerian medical professionals.

Without a doubt, Nigerians who emigrate are highly educated professionals with expertise in a variety of fields, including engineering, medicine, education, law, and information technology.

Other experts believed Japa has a greater positive influence on the Nigerian economy in the long run. These economic experts and commentators have weighed in on the hot topic of “Japa,” which has seen a small number of Nigerian workers quit their jobs in order to move overseas.

The pros and cons of the brain drain/Japa syndrome have been discussed by experts in relation to the biggest African economy. According to a recent Nairametrics post, human resource managers reported significant staff resignations in July, and many more are anticipated in August as many Nigerians look to study overseas and ultimately migrate abroad in search of a better life.

Increased remittances from the diaspora, better pay for devoted workers, and a drop in unemployment in the source nation are just a few of the advantages mentioned by the experts. On the negative side, a talent gap and a drop in production were mentioned as potential consequences.

Conclusion

As said earlier, the meaning of Japa means to run or flee. The word Japa is a Nigerian slang derived from the Yoruba language which simply means ‘to run swiftly’ out of a dangerous situation.

Beyond the yearning for a better life, many young people were abandoning the country in response to the failure and corruption of governmental institutions that should serve them, and this knowledge formed my inspiration for portraying the narrative of Japa.

The enormous exodus in Japa is a continuation of other exoduses and their causes. In order to survive, many Nigerians left the country in the 1980s due to the country’s economic decline.

Doctors are increasingly associated with the nation’s brain drain as a result of the health sector crisis (unpaid wages, an ongoing strike, and inadequate infrastructure). We, however, hope you find what is the meaning of Japa in Nigeria in this article.