Seasoned journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, has said that the mass movement of Nigerians—especially youths—known as Japa to Europe and other Western countries in search of greener pastures is due to the lack of appropriate leadership in the country.
Dr. Abati made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled “The Japa Syndrome and the Future of University Education in Nigeria” to herald the maiden convocation of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Dr. Abati, who expressed concern that the nation is currently sinking deeper into brain drain and needs an emergency response, called on governments at all levels to re-prioritise education in both budgets and policy to curb the Japa syndrome among youths.
Highlighting some of the implications of Japa to include brain drain, demographic shift, negative impact on institutions, and economic consequences, he advised the graduands of UAT not to embrace the Japa syndrome but rather see themselves as part of the solution to the nation’s problems.
He said, “Young Nigerians are not just escaping leadership, but responding rationally to global opportunities that reward merit, skill, and innovation.
“Japa syndrome is not merely a social trend, but a symptom of deeper systemic challenges that demand our collective attention, wisdom, and action,” Dr. Abati stated.
Earlier, in a pre-convocation press briefing, Vice-Chancellor of UAT, Professor Solomon Ebobrah, who said the combined convocation ceremony would witness the graduation of 905 students for the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 academic sessions, shed more light on the categories of degrees obtained by students.
Professor Ebobrah, who said the institution has made steady progress from an initial enrolment of five hundred students to four thousand students, appreciated Governor Douye Diri for his continued support.
While describing the ceremony as a milestone in the institution’s journey of providing world-class education rooted in innovation, he noted that the event would take place at the King Kpadia Memorial Civic Centre, Toru-Orua, at ten o’clock in the morning.
Also speaking, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of UAT, Professor Kemela Okara, said government, the private sector, and other stakeholders must collaborate to find workable solutions to curb unemployment and the Japa syndrome, in order to stop the rot in the economy.