Debe

I’m not pro-japa or anti-japa, or anything of that sort. I 100% believe in going where you’re treated best. And because I see things from that perspective, I struggle to understand why anyone would completely uproot themselves from a system where they enjoy the benefits of living in a relatively sane and functional society, only to move back permanently to a place like Nigeria. Especially when I consider some of the reasons people give. Nostalgia, missing home, wanting to reconnect with their roots, or even wanting to return to change the country. To me, most of these are things you can satisfy by simply visiting for a few weeks. And on the subject of returning to change the country, I think we need to start encouraging people to think beyond the conventional idea that you have to physically relocate to Nigeria to make a difference. Whenever this conversation comes up, someone always has a business idea or a problem they believe they’re uniquely positioned to solve by moving back. But I often wonder: What makes you think that, out of the millions of people already living in Nigeria, many of whom may never have the opportunity to leave, you’re somehow the person best suited to solve a problem that people on the ground have been struggling with for decades? I’m not saying you can’t make a difference. I’m saying we need to think more broadly about what making a difference actually looks like. For example, I have no intention of moving back to Nigeria permanently. I’ll visit, of course. But almost every day, I’m thinking about businesses, systems, and solutions that could improve the lives of millions of Nigerians without requiring me to be physically present in the country. If I build a business from abroad that eventually employs 1000 Nigerians, provides them with stable incomes, and contributes to the economy, haven’t I made a meaningful contribution to the country? Potentially even more than someone who moves back simply because they feel they should, only to start figuring everything out from scratch? There’s also something people seem to underestimate about living in a functional society. The peace of mind that comes from having your basic needs taken care of gives you the mental space to think, plan, create, and strategize. I don’t have to spend a significant portion of my day worrying about electricity, bad roads, or the basic infrastructure required to live a decent life. That freedom allows me to focus my energy on building things that could eventually benefit people back home. And even if every business idea I pursue fails, I still have the option of getting a regular job, learning a trade, or pursuing another occupation and maintaining a decent standard of living in a society where the basic necessities of life largely work. That’s an advantage I don’t take lightly. So why would I voluntarily give up that stability, move back permanently, and suddenly have to dedicate time, money, and mental energy to solving everyday problems that I no longer have to deal with? Why put myself in a position where I risk becoming another person struggling with the very problems I originally hoped to help solve? I understand that people have different priorities, and for some, moving back might genuinely be the right decision. But personally, I don’t believe that loving Nigeria, wanting to contribute to its development, or even building businesses that serve Nigerians requires me to live there permanently. You can contribute to a country’s progress without having to personally endure every dysfunction within it.