Every Nigerian who has ever “japa-ed” knows the drill. You pick your dream country, you apply, you pray about it, you tell your family, friends, and your church small group to keep it in their prayers too, and then you wait for that one email that decides the next few years of your life.
For many Nigerians, relocating abroad starts with excitement. There is the promise of better opportunities, a good job, a stronger currency, and the chance to build a new life. But after the suitcases are unpacked and the excitement settles, many newcomers discover that life abroad comes with its own challenges.
Before moving abroad, it is easy to imagine the life waiting for you on the other side. You picture the better salary, the independence, the new experiences and, perhaps most importantly, the relief of finally saying, “I have japa-ed.”
In this conversation with FunTimes, Joseph pushes you to confront a deeper question: Can you ever feel truly free or at home in a country that isn’t yours, and what emotional cost are immigrants willing to pay for stability and opportunity?
For Ejiro, who moved to the UK with his family in 2022, relocation was partly about hope for a better future. He spoke to FunTimes about why he left Nigeria, what surprised him about the UK and the mistakes he believes many Nigerians make when they first arrive.
Mohamed Fofanah began his American life delivering parcels by bicycle in Manhattan. Years later, his gig work gives him the freedom to build on both sides of the Atlantic and help other African immigrants find their footing.
Dabota left Nigeria for Canada on a study route in 2022, while her husband stayed behind with her children. She talks to FunTimes about her journey so far. Her story highlights a side of japa that social media rarely shows: the emotional and family costs of starting over.
Most Nigerians have imaginations of what life abroad looks like: fine houses, 24/7 electricity, clean streets, and a life…
What do you do when you lose your job? The bills would not stop coming, your savings begin to decline, and before you know it, you are in the red. You want to work, but every day it is one “unfortunately” email after another, and it seems like getting a new job requires connections.
When people talk about japa, they often imagine someone escaping hardship, low pay, unemployment, and frustration. But sometimes, the story is different. Sometimes, the person leaving has everything people dream of: a good salary, comfort, and stability. And still, they pack their bags and leave.
