President Bola Tinubu has told young Nigerians not to 'abandon ship' — that's his way of saying don't japa.
In a televised broadcast on Friday marking this year's Democracy Day, the Nigerian leader directly addressed the thousands of young professionals who leave the country every year for better opportunities abroad.
"To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here," Tinubu said. "Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship."
The speech comes at a time when the 'Japa' phenomenon — the mass emigration of skilled Nigerians — shows no signs of slowing. Doctors, nurses, software engineers, and bankers are among those leaving in large numbers. They're driven by economic hardship, insecurity, and frustration with poor governance.
Tinubu's appeal is the latest in a series of government efforts to stem the brain drain. Earlier this year, the administration launched a 'Stay and Build' initiative. It aimed at creating incentives for young people to remain in Nigeria. Critics have dismissed such campaigns as empty rhetoric without concrete action on the issues pushing people out.
The president didn't announce any new policies or programs to make staying more attractive. He didn't mention the rising cost of living, unemployment, or the security challenges that fuel the desire to leave.
For many young Nigerians watching the broadcast, the message may ring hollow. The country's inflation rate hit 28.5% in May, the highest in nearly two decades. The naira has lost more than 60% of its value since Tinubu took office in May 2023. Fuel subsidy removal, while praised by economists, has tripled transportation costs for ordinary citizens.
Yet the president's words carry weight for a different reason: they acknowledge a reality that previous leaders rarely admitted publicly. Past administrations often denied the scale of emigration or blamed young people for lacking patriotism. Tinubu's direct admission that Nigerians are leaving — and his plea for them to stay — is a shift in tone, even if it changes nothing on the ground.
Democracy Day marks the return to civilian rule in 1999 after decades of military dictatorship. The date has traditionally been used for presidential addresses reflecting on the state of the nation. This year's speech came amid growing frustration with the government's handling of the economy and security.
Whether Tinubu's words will convince anyone to cancel their travel plans is another matter. For many young Nigerians, the decision to japa isn't about abandoning ship — it's about finding a ship that isn't sinking.