Lagos, Nigeria — A growing number of Nigerians who once left the country in search of better opportunities abroad are now returning home, citing unmet expectations, mental health struggles, and the harsh realities of life in foreign countries.
The development marks a reversal of the popular “Japa” trend, which in recent years saw millions of Nigerian youths migrate to Europe, North America, and Asia in pursuit of improved living conditions and job prospects.
According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 260,000 Nigerians sought assistance to migrate in 2023 alone, with 80 percent of them targeting the United Kingdom. Data from the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) shows that over 3.6 million Nigerians left the country between 2022 and September 2023.
However, stories of returnees suggest that the dream of a better life abroad has not materialized for many.
Judith Okoli, a 30-year-old nurse who spent two years in the United States, returned to Nigeria in 2019 after struggling with loneliness, racism, and high living costs.
“My rent alone was over $3,000 monthly. When you pay for bills, car notes, insurance, and taxes, you wonder, ‘What is the point’?” she said.
Okoli said she endured feelings of isolation and discrimination in her workplace and ultimately decided to return home to reconnect with her roots. After several failed business ventures, she found success in agriculture. “Farming became something I could grow and develop,” she said.
In a widely viewed TikTok video, Kenny Igho, a mother of two, revealed that mental health challenges influenced her decision to return from the United States.
“I was not happy. I was anxious. I realized I was sliding into subtle depression,” she said. Igho noted that many Nigerians abroad secretly share similar struggles but are often held back by fear of the unknown.
Dr. Julius Oni, an orthopedic surgeon and former associate professor at Johns Hopkins University, also made headlines when he relocated to Nigeria after 25 years in the United States.
He has since established a musculoskeletal care facility in Lagos to provide high-quality healthcare locally. “I believe Nigerian patients deserve great care too,” he said.
Another returnee, Summer Aku, also experienced criticism and misconceptions following her decision to return. “When I shared my Japada story, some people said my village people had dragged me back to Nigeria,” she said. Aku now operates a successful Airbnb business and emphasizes the emotional value of being present for family milestones.
Other returnees echoed similar sentiments, including a UK-based Nigerian who said juggling postgraduate studies and family life had become overwhelming. Since returning, he has resumed co-running a real estate business and described the situation in Nigeria as “not too bad.”
In a video shared on YouTube, the Idowu family, who have lived in the US for 14 years, cited crime, cultural disconnection, and racism as key reasons for their return.
“America is not the way it used to be,” they said. “We want our kids to grow up with morals and without the fear of gun violence.”
Ifeoma, another returnee from Canada, pointed to childcare difficulties and joblessness as significant factors in her relocation. She noted that despite receiving benefits, the family struggled financially and even relied on money from Nigeria to survive.
Jenny Jones, who worked in the United States for several years, described feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. She has since moved back to Lagos to start a fashion business.
“No amount of therapy or supplements can fix the constant mental battle if you are living in a place where you do not feel fulfilled,” she said.
Regarding the trend, immigration lawyer Cephas Caleb attributed the return wave to economic, emotional, and social factors.
Another lawyer, Innocent Ekpen, suggested the US immigration policy under former President Donald Trump may have influenced the trend, particularly among undocumented migrants.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) confirmed the trend, saying many Nigerians are returning for emotional, economic, and security reasons.
