Former member of the House of Representatives, Nkoyo Toyo, has decried the spate of japa syndrome in Nigeria, attributing its major cause to lack of employment opportunities.
Toyo made this statement on Thursday, while responding to questions in an interview on ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme on Channels Television.
DAILY POST reports that “Japa syndrome” is a popular Nigerian expression referring to the growing trend of mass emigration, especially among young professionals, graduates, and skilled workers who are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
Toyo, who once represented the Calabar-Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State, noted that in the 1980s, students would often get jobs immediately after graduating from university, a stark contrast to the current situation.
“The lack of work is a major crisis and this is the most driving force of Nigerians going on Japa.
“It is the most driving force of Nigerians going on Japa. You know, people are leaving the country wanting to seek better fortunes outside the country.
“When we graduated from the university back in the early 80s, we left straight from the university and we got jobs. But today, you can tell very easily that the lack of work is a major crisis,” she said.
The former lawmaker further lamented that Nigerians who relocate abroad often face various forms of indignity.
She explained that many Nigerians are tired of repeated promises and being told to “wait,” stressing that what people truly want is a country that works for them.
