…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media. In a unanimous decision, the House of Representatives dismissed a motion on Thursday that aimed to prohibit young Nigerians from leaving the country.
The motion was brought forth by Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), who had previously resided in the United Kingdom before entering Nigerian politics.
Agbese argued that the emigration of young Nigerians, commonly referred to as the ‘Japa’ syndrome, should be considered a national emergency.
Rising Concerns:
During the presentation of the motion, Agbese highlighted the concerns associated with the increasing number of young Nigerians leaving the country and establishing permanent residency in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Citing data from the Nigerian Economic Summit, he emphasized that this trend poses significant risks to Nigeria’s economy, intellectual capital, and social fabric.
Escalating Emigration:
Agbese drew attention to recent reports by the African Polling Institute, which indicated that 69 percent of young Nigerians would choose to relocate if given the opportunity.
Additionally, he revealed a striking statistic from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), which showed a 40 percent rise in the number of young Nigerians leaving the country compared to the figures recorded in 2019.
Alarming Statistics:
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs further disclosed that the total international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 reached 1.7 million individuals, a substantial increase from the 990,000 reported in 2010.
Agbese underscored the significance of these figures, emphasizing the need to address this escalating issue promptly.
Unanimous Rejection:
When the motion was subjected to a vote, the Speaker of the House, Reps Tajudeen Abbas, presented the lawmakers with the opportunity to express their stance.
To the surprise of the motion’s proponent, it was unanimously rejected by the representatives, suggesting that a majority of the House did not support the proposed ban on young Nigerians’ emigration.
Conclusion:
The House of Representatives, in a unanimous decision, declined the motion to ban young Nigerians from leaving the country.
While concerns about the emigration of young Nigerians were acknowledged, the representatives did not endorse the proposed measures.
The rejection of the motion indicates that alternative strategies or solutions may be sought to address the issues surrounding the ‘Japa’ syndrome and its potential impact on Nigeria.
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