In Nigeria, the mass migration of young professionals in search of greener pastures now has a name, “japa”. Yoruba expression that means “to run, flee or escape”.
The phenomenon is not surprising in the increase of 91% recorded in passenger movements on international flights between January and June 2022, guarantees Young Africa/Africa Report a senior government official, although the post-Covid recovery also has a role to eliminate.
More than 300 thousand doctors are missing
Despite rising ticket prices caused by rising jet fuel prices and foreign exchange shortages, in Nigeria KNOWN an exodus of professionals unprecedented in recent times due to its economic and security problems, according to experts.
Among the professions most affected by this massive migration are the medical and digital sectors. According to General Medical Council, the United Kingdom alone has more than 10,000 doctors trained in Nigeria. This is despite complaints from the Nigerian Medical Association that the country is suffering from a shortage of 315,426 doctors to meet the healthcare needs of its 219 million people.
This number could increase even further: in 2018, a survey carried out by the NGO Nigeria Health Watch showed that eight in ten Nigerian doctors are looking for greener pastures.
Explosion of visa applications
Far from being resolved, the problem has worsened since then. “The Nigerian government has not declared any desire to address the plight of doctors,” said Emeka Orji, president of the National Association of Resident Doctors in Nigeria, for whom “the situation has evolved into a crisis”. And he pointed out in particular the situation of public servants in the inflation spiral.
>> Find this article in English on The Africa Report – Nigeria: More Young Professionals Head to the Exit; air traffic increases 91% <<
Influencer and expert in migration student based in the United Kingdom, Yejide Adewakun highlights that “between insecurity and the economic situation, the brain drain is certain to get worse. Just look at the currency crisis: as long as the situation persists, migration will continue.”
Because in addition to doctors, many professionals are worried, as well as students. The latest figures from the UK Home Office show that the number of Nigerians receiving study visas in the UK has increased by 79%, the biggest increase recorded by the country.
“It is dangerous to see the departure of businesspeople, doctors and middle and senior managers. The next president [les élections auront lieu en février prochain] must be able to give people the hope of proving that this country can work again. The current government has failed to manage the exchange rate and inflation”, warns Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of the non-profit organization BudgIT, for whom Nigeria is facing an existential crisis and that mass migration has become a problem.
At the start of 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) – which has not released figures since – estimated youth unemployment at 33.3%, while 23.1 million Nigerians would be without work.
