In the last seven years, there has been a significant increase in the number of young Nigerians migrating “Japa” to Western countries. In the 80’s and 90’s, this move was primarily in search of greener pastures or a better education. But in recent times, young people are migrating in large number for a myriad of reasons such as better security, dual-citizenship, brighter future for their kids, job opportunities, education, and of-course, there are those who are relocating because of the band-wagon effect.
While there may be individual advantages to this upsurge in migration, the disadvantages to the country, as a whole, are numerous. The effects of some are immediately noticeable while others may unravel with time. The decrease in qualified healthcare personnel is one that has immediate and tremendous impact on the country. Young doctors and nurses are either moving or planning to move as soon as the opportunities open up. Hospitals are experiencing a shortage of qualified specialists, and patients are at the receiving end of these problems. As these professionals leave, the quality of healthcare declines, medical errors from unqualified personnel increases, and ultimately, wrongful patient deaths increase. This manpower challenge only appears to deepen and may gradually change the course of the general labour market from employer focused to employee-focused.
Asides from the shrinking and changing labour market, another worrying effect is the culture dilution. Nigeria has always maintained a family and community centred culture, which is gradually being washed away because of distance created by migration. In recent times, family members are spread across different countries, different time zones and heavily dependent on technology to stay connected. The culture of family gatherings with extended family, holiday visits to the grandparents and even Sunday family meals are fast becoming eroded as grandparents have been left behind, and some may never get to watch their grandkids grow. Asides from losing out on time with their children and grand-children, elderly members of these families may suffer emotionally and psychologically.
Another important effect to be considered is the nuclear family unit. More young people are opting to travel without their spouse. These decisions usually stem from uncertainties about the new country. The chosen spouse takes the first step to migration, settles in and if all goes well, arranges for the other partner to join them in the new country. While this model works for some couples, a vast majority appear not to be so lucky. In some cases, the waiting years become prolonged, communication barriers set in and perception begins to change.
Since the family unit is the bedrock of any society, we must seek answers to these important questions if we must preserve ours: What will be the long-term effect of migration to the country? Can marriages survive this ongoing separation? What will be the effects of this separation on the children born into these homes? How can this brain drain be reversed? Can our culture be passed down to the new generation of Nigerians born in other countries? And the ultimate question will be; how do we preserve our home?
