NewStats: 3,265,450 , 8,186,774 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 02:58 AM 61694b

Hello Nairalanders,

I have this decision bothering me. I know it is a personal problem, but I believe everyone need some guidance at every point in life.

Straight to it, I have been considering Japa for over two years now and I think the opportunity might be here but I am having a cold feet.

I recently started working for a foreign company as a software engineer and the pay is decent when converted to Naira. Enough to live an averagely comfortable life. But my challenge now is that, I have been talking to some friends that are outside the country and they keep telling me how life is not easy there and cost of living is super expensive out there.

I currently earn $3000, which I plan to either save and travel or startup a business here in Nigeria. Please, Nairalanders with experience, is it worth japa to live an almost average life for almost the rest of your life or investing here in Nigeria and growing wealth?

The healthcare and quality education benefit is there as an advantage for japa though.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

It's worth it

Oga over worth it ...
Gather am save till 250k.....u can't suffer outside

Earn dollar and spend Naira. Guy nothing sweet am. Just find a very good estate and secure your apartment.

Run solar and inverter system for power,get a health insurance scheme from a very good hospital and live your best life here in Nigeria

If you are in your twenties japa

OP, Luckily for you, this video that addresses all your concerns was on Nairaland frontpage this monday. Japa. still worth it?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAiqIyuG0hM

Here, fourteen people discussed all the things you have to take into consideration to make your decision to relocate including the three highly controversial pathways to residency. I suggest you listen till the very end. It's a very practical conversation, highly educative and thankfully, they aren't selling you anything. Pay particular attention to what the geologist says he had to do when he relocated. You can thank me later.

All the best.

hazinibones:
Hello Nairalanders,

I have this decision bothering me. I know it is a personal problem, but I believe everyone need some guidance at every point in life.

Straight to it, I have been considering Japa for over two years now and I think the opportunity might be here but I am having a cold feet.

I recently started working for a foreign company as a software engineer and the pay is decent when converted to Naira. Enough to live an averagely comfortable life. But my challenge now is that, I have been talking to some friends that are outside the country and they keep telling me how life is not easy there and cost of living is super expensive out there.

I currently earn $3000, which I plan to either save and travel or startup a business here in Nigeria. Please, Nairalanders with experience, is it worth japa to live an almost average life for almost the rest of your life or investing here in Nigeria and growing wealth?

The healthcare and quality education benefit is there as an advantage for japa though.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

lordm:
It's worth it

Thanks. Please can you give reason why you believe so?

lordchiz:
Oga over worth it ...
Gather am save till 250k.....u can't suffer outside

Thanks Lord Chiz. But I hear people suffer outside o boss.

tommy589:
If you are in your twenties japa

Thanks Tommy. I am 29. Any particular reason why in my 20s? Please every single information count.

hazinibones:

Thanks Tommy. I am 29. Any particular reason why in my 20s? Please every single information count.

check the video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAiqIyuG0hM

hazinibones:

Thanks Tommy. I am 29. Any particular reason why in my 20s? Please every single information count.

Depending on where you go,you stand a better chance to get an under the table job ahead of an older person pending when you have your papers. The freedom,energy and not constrain emotionally to pursue the needful in making your stay permanent is there too

Better still i believe you can afford a temporary travel (Vacation) so go Urself & compare Urself

Think of being better? Japa is the way, think of being of better use to your generation? Japa is the way

hazinibones:


Thanks Lord Chiz. But I hear people suffer outside o boss.

With 250k dollars?
Haba ogaa.....Na you go even employ white guys out there!
Even u fit run restaurant matters with better employees.....Barbing saloon there Na better money....buy one uber ride there.....change go remain!.....
Still dey run your remote job!
Guy u will be made for life even out there.....
U no go say u come from Nigeria!
Very useless Nigeria!
When I dey sleep ..I see Japa....wen I dey eat , I still see Japa....even if I dey toilet, my thinking is Japa.....Japa is all I care!
Nothing but Japa!
I repeat, Nothing but Japa oooooooo....
I just collected my port for a start....
Make I begin find money small small so I fit leave!

$3,000 in Naija and you wan JAPA? Don't be foolish son.

If abroad dey hungry you that much, your earnings can afford you a yearly vacation anywhere in the world.

hazinibones:
Hello Nairalanders,

I have this decision bothering me. I know it is a personal problem, but I believe everyone need some guidance at every point in life.

Straight to it, I have been considering Japa for over two years now and I think the opportunity might be here but I am having a cold feet.

I recently started working for a foreign company as a software engineer and the pay is decent when converted to Naira. Enough to live an averagely comfortable life. But my challenge now is that, I have been talking to some friends that are outside the country and they keep telling me how life is not easy there and cost of living is super expensive out there.

I currently earn $3000, which I plan to either save and travel or startup a business here in Nigeria. Please, Nairalanders with experience, is it worth japa to live an almost average life for almost the rest of your life or investing here in Nigeria and growing wealth?

The healthcare and quality education benefit is there as an advantage for japa though.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

If i were,i will not travel anyway. You are earning $3000 every month for this country.
Bros, can you mentor me. I just embark my learning process on front end.

Op how easy do you think it will be to find another remote job as a Nigerian software engineer resident in Nigeria if you lose this one. Also for the business you intend to do how do you hedge against devaluation since you are bringing in dollars to invest in the said business. Do you think you can match the dollars invested in after a couple of years from the same business?

If you feel you would have no problems with any of these above then you can stay in Nigeria. There's pros and cons to everything in life and it's not always greener on the other side. Just know that if you choose to stay here plan it very well so if you lose your job you don't get stuck or fall into poverty. Met a lot of devs who earned more than you are doing and blew the money. Jobs gone and they don't know what to do.

hazinibones:
Hello Nairalanders,

I have this decision bothering me. I know it is a personal problem, but I believe everyone need some guidance at every point in life.

Straight to it, I have been considering Japa for over two years now and I think the opportunity might be here but I am having a cold feet.

I recently started working for a foreign company as a software engineer and the pay is decent when converted to Naira. Enough to live an averagely comfortable life. But my challenge now is that, I have been talking to some friends that are outside the country and they keep telling me how life is not easy there and cost of living is super expensive out there.

I currently earn $3000, which I plan to either save and travel or startup a business here in Nigeria. Please, Nairalanders with experience, is it worth japa to live an almost average life for almost the rest of your life or investing here in Nigeria and growing wealth?

The healthcare and quality education benefit is there as an advantage for japa though.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

If those are your reasons for japa, then it is pointless. You are better off in Nigeria. Just save at least 50% of your salary in dollar , study the areas you intend to start a business, don't succumb to lifestyle inflation aka buying a car, moving to an expensive neighbourhood - just live the way you are with some slight improvements etc.

Just prepare for the worst, so always be on guard regarding your finances.

Stay here in Nigeria. Live in a very suitable neighborhood in cities like Abuja. Go on vacations to any part of the world yearly.

I believe we have top schools and hospitals here in Nigeria. But if that's not ok for you, send your children abroad for studies and go abroad for health issues. I think if you save and invest well, you can afford them

The short answer is YES!!!

Don't let me lie for your... your have very high possibilities of having a great life and especially for your born and unborn kids...

It's a tru investment to be honest! But the little issues is that JAPA is now extremely expensive....

You best option should be study or work visa...

If you hav the money.. pls go for it....


More info : I actually di t read the part where you mentioned you earn around $3k/m in Nigeria...
If I'm to advice base on that... pls STAY.. you hav a decent salary bro... wot are u looking for...

The life u gonna live as a 3k earner in naija.. someone abroad earning dat same 3k wouldn't be able to live it... you will simply enjoy luxury life...

Just stay and work on vacations only.

hazinibones:
Hello Nairalanders,

I have this decision bothering me. I know it is a personal problem, but I believe everyone need some guidance at every point in life.

Straight to it, I have been considering Japa for over two years now and I think the opportunity might be here but I am having a cold feet.

I recently started working for a foreign company as a software engineer and the pay is decent when converted to Naira. Enough to live an averagely comfortable life. But my challenge now is that, I have been talking to some friends that are outside the country and they keep telling me how life is not easy there and cost of living is super expensive out there.

I currently earn $3000, which I plan to either save and travel or startup a business here in Nigeria. Please, Nairalanders with experience, is it worth japa to live an almost average life for almost the rest of your life or investing here in Nigeria and growing wealth?

The healthcare and quality education benefit is there as an advantage for japa though.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Stay here let's build Nigeria together.
Not when I stay and build Nigeria you run down to come and enjoy.

Questions for the gods

I personally feel if you earn this much working remotely, you definitely don't need to japa.
It's not rosy here neither is it rosy over there. That your $3k will make you live like a king here.

My 1 kobo ✌️

If you have the opportunity to work as a professional abroad, don’t even think twice.

Think about the future in Nigeria. It’s just a matter of time before inflation rubbishes your income.

$3,000 abroad is not much but you have the opportunity to grow career wise, earn more, even find a roommate or partner, split the bills and save

No matter what at least

Get a post graduate degree in any top rank schools abroad another especially in USA, UK or Canada.

Then come back to Nigeria to pick up international organizations jobs like UN, USAID, UK Aid etc..
Or country office of Microsoft, Cummins Inc, KPMG, PwC, etc..

Better still NCC, NIMASA, NNPC etc

Definitely. If the country you currently reside lacks stability, then what you think you have or own can disappear in the blink of an eye. That's the bitter truth.

R

If you have a clear blueprint and practical tracks of sustainable income + an inspiration from God and you are above 40 years. . I would say, stay in Nigeria.

If you are not in the above category and you have a means to traveling out, please do.

If you are not in any of the 2 above categories, I would say, carry your Bible and Quran well and pray vigorously for the survival of your soul and that of Nigeria as a place. Be radical in your huzzle. .

Naija4live,I can't withstand that cold hell

Seriously naija is the best country to live in

If you know you can’t pay bills stay naija o

Honestly, it's not worth it. If and when you japa, you will still land jobs of between S100,000 - $150,000 per annum as a Software Engineer.

However, think of taxes (which will be above 30% of your earnings. Think of high cost of rent which is above $1,500 monthly for a decent 1 bedroom. Think of high utility bills etc.

You pay next to nothing as income tax in Nigeria. By the time you are paying N1.5m per annum, you are living in a very decent accomodation in major cities in Nigeria .......


Think ooo. Think!!!!!