NewStats: 3,263,800 , 8,181,438 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 12:03 AM 1p5ag

Former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has expressed concern over the exodus of talented young Nigerians from the country.

According to Jega, the trend and current struggles in the nation symbolise a dangerous loss of hope.

Speaking at the launch of the inauguration of a nongovernmental organisation, ‘Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative’ in Abuja, on Saturday, Jega urged Nigerians to restore faith in the country’s future.

He said, “The country’s current struggles, including the nation’s global label as the poverty capital of the world and the increasing exodus of young talent, known as the “Japa” phenomenon are worrisome.


“This trend symbolises a dangerous loss of hope, one that dedicated patriots must counter by restoring faith in the country’s future.”

While noting that Nigeria’s post-independence era was a time when the country served as a beacon of hope across Africa, inspiring Black communities around the world, Jega commended the selfless leadership of the First Republic.

He added that the leaders then laid a solid foundation for nation-building.


The former INEC chairman urged Nigerians to reject claims that Nigeria is a failed state.


He said, ”We must reject the narrative of a failed state and work to reform our systems, to bridge divisions, and to build a nation that serves all its citizens.”

Speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said citizens deserve better than mere promises.

Represented by the Director-General of National Orientation Agency, Lanre Isa Onilu, the minister said the promises made to the citizens must be fulfilled.

He said, “To keep our commitments, we must ensure that our implementations reflect the promises made to our citizens. The issue of leadership is intertwined with the challenge of managing relationships.”

URNI Patron, Hassan Tukur, emphasized that Nigeria’s progress hinges on leadership rooted in character and competence.

Tukur reflected on a time when Nigerians formed strong connections across ethnic and religious lines, urging a revival of that values.


He attributed the nation’s socioeconomic challenges to a deficit in strong leadership and called on leaders to focus on job creation, resource mobilization, and national unity.

https://punchng.com/japa-syndrome-symbolises-loss-of-hope-in-nigeria-jega/

The Nigerian political class often voices “concern” over the mass exodus of young people, but few truly confront the reality of why it’s happening. Former INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega highlights a loss of hope as Nigeria grapples with a “brain drain.” But let’s get specific: this situation has been in the making for decades, fueled by poor governance and unfulfilled promises. Today, a young Nigerian’s ambition often isn’t to thrive in Nigeria but to escape it—only to arrive abroad to work tirelessly under conditions that pay just enough to keep them afloat.

This phenomenon can be described as “Modern Economic Slavery”—a setup where the income one earns barely covers the cost of living, essentially creating a cycle of “wage slavery.” In this setup, young Nigerians take on physically demanding or low-paying jobs in other countries, earning around $2000 monthly on average. However, between rent, utilities, insurance, car payments, and food expenses, roughly $1900 is often taken back, leaving them with just enough to “keep the lights on.” They’re left working not to build wealth or save for a future but to sustain a basic existence—keeping homes warm in winter or maintaining systems for other residents.

The irony is inescapable: they labor hard, but the bulk of their earnings circulate right back to cover essential costs. This system has been dubbed a form of “Neo-Indentured Servitude” by critics, as it mirrors traditional indentured servitude where workers aren’t bound by physical chains but by economic ones.

Jega and other leaders may say that Nigeria is not a failed state, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The political class has failed to create an environment where young Nigerians can thrive domestically. If not, why do we see a mass exodus? The government’s neglect has created what’s colloquially called the “Japa Syndrome,” where leaving is seen as the only escape from systemic stagnation. Yet, most of these young people abroad aren’t finding the “freedom” they seek but are rather becoming part of another economy’s machinery, barely able to save or progress.

Even figures like the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, acknowledge that citizens deserve more than empty promises. But acknowledgment alone doesn’t feed families or build futures. Instead of grand statements and initiatives, the government should prioritize true reforms, ability, and investment in the nation’s youth. After all, it’s the youth who carry the hope of Nigeria—but for how long if the leaders remain indifferent?

Jega is the architect of loss of hope in Nigeria. He should be prison with both hands and legs chained if Nigeria is a sane country.

All thanks to you and your cohorts Prof. Jega.

Mahenson:
All thanks to you and your cohorts Prof. Jega.

na him cause dis problems

Yes , of course

Is dis neegha for real for real??

No Sir. Japa don tey. That is why we get many blacks around the world that are citizens of other countries but have roots to Nigeria. Nigerians with social media and coining the word Japa has made it so prominent and open. Them never give up na how to make their life better as another option. They still come visit or buy properties.them never give up on Nigeria

Toh

A friend last year was complaining bitterly to me last year, Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that, he relocated to Canada early this year yet he's still complaining of things are not easy there.

Every country is an abroad, whichever it might be , no free things even in Freetown

Zonefree:
Jega is the architect of loss of hope in Nigeria. He should be prison with both hands and legs chained if Nigeria is a sane country.

Jega election was better than the 2007 and 2003 election. You guys criticize without looking back at where we're coming from.

You've all forgotten how horrible the 2007 presidential election. An election INEC can't present the figures for each state and LG till now.

INEC had to withdraw the 2007 presidential election result after it was released because the figures were different from the one ones Maurice Iwu announced when he announced the result.

Jega held the 2011 and 2015 presidential election, they were far better than the 2007 and 2003 elections.

Nigerians voted for Jonathan in the 2011 election that was held by Jega, he had 6 years to prove himself, but Jonathan failed Nigerians so Nigerians voted him out in 2015.

Hold on, was this not the man that brought buhari to power? T pain too?

This man is talking, when he is the originator of Nigeria's problems.

Handing over to APC from 2015 was were it all started.

Our best Electoral chairman..

Very honest.

His analysis of how work-life and wages are abroad is in order, but people are still making it that's why japa is still an option till today.

It is a known fact from time immemorial that MOST people who travel abroad are financially successful. This has not changed. It's true that it equates to modern day slavery but when the money is worth it, who would not want to be the slave? When you get paid according to your work, unlike in Nigeria where people receive peanuts as wages.

Compare what teachers, drivers, etc earn in Nigeria versus what they earn elsewhere.

Why would a successful bank manager in Nigeria travel abroad to do menial jobs if it's not worth it?

A student with part time job in Canada building a mansion in Nigeria. And they say we should not japa.

Whoever sees opportunities abeg leave this place.

Who's this persona non grata?

Same man that was used by Obama to blackmail jonathan and was used to rig in Buhari

And u are the reason Mr Jega.U brought the evil party upon us.

D

See who is talking,, the architect of loss of hope. Once they succeed in bringing misfortune to the populace, they will start talking as if they are with the suffering masses.

Why won't it, when the APC, Instead of developing a policy to get us to industrial development...a blueprint like the old national development plans, is instead focusing on new jet plane.

I mean , yesterday, some APC agbadorians were chatting about how disgraceful it is that VP does not have a new jet

Kukutente23:

Don't you know that when a plane is ageing, it does not see road well to see foreign object and avoid em

The VP is a critical national asset. Nigeria may be poor but were too big for our VP to be going about in a rickety jet

We can't have 129m poor citizens and still have a poor VP

Therefore we must raise taxes to buy new planes for tinubu and shettima

SilasGreenback:


Abi ooooooh.

Lets buy it for him and continue to make sacrifices. We need to man up and stop crying about inflation, as unfortunately, things cost money, and we should stop wanting everything cheap.

nedu666:


We don't pay enough tax. We should pay market price so that govt officials will see money to buy new jets

If that is how the rank and file APC member thinks, no wonder we do not have a new industrial policy that would provide jobs.

And no wonder people are running for their lives from this country, because with APC it is 'ABANDON HOPE, ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE'

APC : Abandoned hope .

This mórón again. The main man that single handedly downtrodden the destruction through Inec?.

His sin is not as bad as that of the children of devil who buried this nation. How can a same man gave the management of Nigeria to a drug addict and expect good things?

Jega you started everything in 2015. So STFU man

Dis werey no even suppose dey talk....

And you were part of those that handed over Nigeria to the vultures we have today..

What a time to be alive

Is there hope before,you started all this nonsense,if things are going on well will people leave Nigeria?if election are free,fair and credible will people feel cheated . There is no point wasting money for elections just give power to who you guys like

blackboy:
No Sir. Japa don tey. That is why we get many blacks around the world that are citizens of other countries but have roots to Nigeria. Nigerians with social media and coining the word Japa has made it so prominent and open. Them never give up na how to make their life better as another option. They still come visit or buy properties.them never give up on Nigeria

It's a lie
What we had then were people that left the Country on purpose to study or do other stuff on scholarship, govt or company sponsorship, then decided to make the place a home

Now, we have Japa, the people that left the Country at all cost by reg on their jobs and selling all their properties. No plan or purpose or jobs waiting for them over there. Even those on study are using it as a means to an end e.g An Msc holder taking another Msc course or A PhD holder hiding his certificate to apply for an Msc course

...when their own children no even dey 9ja!

The last hope any reasonable Nigerian had was in 2023 general elections.
Check out the number of Nigerians that traveled in from other countries just to cast their votes. Yet greed and wickedness of some useless old men dashed all of that on the floor.
Nigerian ain't gonna get better bruh
Not when we have a convicted drug baron with questionable qualification on the herm of affairs.