Should we 'Jakpa' or should we not!
Approximately 24.8% of migration from Sub-Saharan Africa is directed towards high-income OECD countries, which includes many first-world nations. This translates to around 440,000 people emigrating from Africa annually, representing about 0.05% of the continent's total population
I came across a tweet this morning while scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) that caught my attention. It stated that,
I can’t have 40M lying in my account and then the next thing that comes to my mind is Japa to go and start all over again in another country. If I could raise 40M without debt on it in Nigeria, then I have the capacity to raise that multiplied by 5. I go Dey go vacation Dey come…
— Ridwan Oke (@Ridwanullahii) July 16, 2024
now based on current exchange rates, 40 million Naira is approximately equivalent to $24,015.28 for context. The author of the tweet seems to suggest that individuals who emigrate do so primarily for better financial opportunities, such as higher-paying jobs ..hmm.. lets hold on to this for a sec...
It’s hard to know if it’s worth it, ex-ante. I was reluctant to leave, myself. Late 2021, I had just paid down for my first plot of land. Got a handsome bonus, and was promoted a few months into 2022. 40M would have made me defer plans for sure.
— Mr. Possible (@Mrpossidez) July 21, 2024
But knowing what I know now, if… https://t.co/fPeY2b6RiZ
this tweet responded to with the perspective by highlighting that, changing one’s environment can lead to unexpected personal growth and an improved quality of life, now amongst the many reasons people emigrate, this by far is the major reason people move out.
Lets take Nigeria, for instance, is not a country where one can expect reliable systems in terms of the rule of law, respect for civil rights, quality healthcare, education, safety, and security, or even access to well-paying jobs. The absence of these fundamental elements directly impacts life expectancy.
To illustrate the disparity, consider the life expectancy gap between developed and developing countries:
- Developed Countries: Life expectancy typically ranges from 77 to 86 years.
- Developing Countries: Life expectancy averages around 55 years.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/countries-compare-on-healthcare-expenditure-life-expectancy/
In my view, the place of one’s birth significantly influences the potential for success. It is a well-known observation that being born on this continent can set individuals back compared to their peers in first-world countries, particularly affecting the youth in Africa.
Approximately 24.8% of migration from Sub-Saharan Africa is directed towards high-income OECD countries, which includes many first-world nations. This translates to around 440,000 people emigrating from Africa annually, representing about 0.05% of the continent's total population
https://worldmigrationreport.iom.int/what-we-do/world-migration-report-2024-chapter-3/africa
this is just indicative of how people feel about their birth countries. Like we say in Ghana 'the systems are not working'
Ok! merely discussing this doesn't warrant improvement. From a pragmatic standpoint, I adhere to a personal philosophy: "create your own leverage." and this can manifest in various ways, it could be acquiring high-demand skills, building a network, or starting a business. The reality is that none of these paths are easy; nothing worthwhile is. However, taking proactive steps is certainly more productive than lamenting the situation even if that includes 'Jakpaing' from your birth country.. lol!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this perspective. Thanks for reading!
