The House of Representatives has rejected a motion that aimed to declare the emigration of young Nigerians abroad, known as the “Japa” syndrome, as a national emergency.
The motion was presented On Thursday by Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), who had previously lived in the United Kingdom before becoming a lawmaker in Nigeria.
Agbese cited statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, which showed an increasing number of young Nigerians relocating abroad. According to reports from the African Polling Institute, 69 percent of young people expressed their desire to relocate if given the opportunity.
Agbese highlighted that there had been a 40 percent rise in the number of young Nigerians leaving the country compared to the figures recorded in 2019, as reported by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
The UN DESA disclosed that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 reached 1.7 million, a significant increase from 990,000 in 2010.
Agbese emphasized that the growing trend of young Nigerians seeking permanent residence in the UK, the USA, and Canada poses serious dangers for the country, ranging from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
When the Speaker of the House, Reps Abbas, put the motion to a vote, it was unanimously rejected by the lawmakers.