Japa reversal is real — Nigerians coming back with bitter stories

Judith Okoli spent 2 years in the US as a nurse and said the reality was far from what she expected. She was earning decent money but her rent alone was over $3,000 monthly. After bills, car notes, insurance and taxes she started asking herself what the point was. She faced racism and isolation and said she never felt welcomed, unlike Nigeria where she feels at home.

Another returnee, Kenny Igho, posted on TikTok that she was not happy, she was troubled and anxious. She said every little thing got her anxious and she realised she was sliding into a subtle depression. Dr Julius Oni left his job at Johns Hopkins University after 25 years in the US, sold his house and cars, and moved back with his family to set up a musculoskeletal care facility here.

These stories are piling up and I am thinking — all those people rushing to japa without proper planning, are they really ready for what awaits them? Judith said it best: it should be a temporary place to get what you need and come back. But many have been abroad for 10 years and cannot afford a flight home. Be honest — is the japa dream actually worth it or are we just chasing a filtered version of abroad life?