A growing number of Nigerians who previously migrated abroad in search of better opportunities are now returning home, citing unfulfilled expectations, mental health struggles, and emotional stress in their host countries.
This development marks a shift in the popular Japa trend, which saw millions of Nigerians—especially youths—relocate to Europe, America, and Asia for improved living conditions and career prospects.
Migration Stats
According to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), over 3.6 million Nigerians emigrated within two years. In 2022 alone, 2,115,139 left the country, while another 1,574,357 departed between January and September 2023. The International Organisation for Migration also reported that 260,000 Nigerians sought migration assistance in 2023, with 80% targeting the United Kingdom.
The Harsh Reality Abroad
Many returnees have opened up about the challenges that forced them to come back. One of them, 30-year-old nurse Judith Okoli, relocated to the United States in 2017 for career growth. Despite a stable income, she said the high cost of living, loneliness, and racial discrimination made life unbearable.
“You just never feel welcomed,” she said, comparing it to the warmth she felt in Nigeria. Her $3,000 monthly rent, along with bills, car payments, insurance, and taxes, left her questioning the purpose of staying abroad. She returned in 2019 and, after failed business attempts, found success in farming.
“Farming became something I could grow and develop. Now it’s my main hustle,” she said. Okoli encouraged others to view living abroad as temporary. “Many have been abroad for 10 years and can’t even afford a flight home,” she noted.
Mental Health and Emotional Strain
For others, like Kenny Igho, mental health was a major trigger for returning. In a TikTok video, she described experiencing anxiety and subtle depression. After deep reflection, she decided to return for the sake of her peace of mind. “It wasn’t a spontaneous decision,” she clarified. “But fear is what’s holding many people back.”
A Doctor’s Leap of Faith
Dr. Julius Oni, an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, also made headlines when he left his job at Johns Hopkins University to return after 25 years in the U.S.
“I sold my house and cars and moved with my wife and kids,” he shared on TikTok. Oni founded DOC Medical Nigeria to provide top-tier musculoskeletal care and reduce the need for medical tourism. “I’m not crazy; I’m just full of conviction,” he added.
‘My Village People Didn’t Force Me Back’
Summer Aku, another returnee, faced mockery when she decided to move back. “People said my village people dragged me back,” she recounted. Now running a short-let business in Nigeria, Aku noted how many of her clients are returnees who came to bury loved ones.
“Many regret not being there when their parents were alive. Life is not a rehearsal,” she said, stressing that despite Nigeria’s challenges, there’s no place like home.
Life Balance and Childcare
A UK returnee, who requested anonymity, said combining PhD plans with raising kids abroad became overwhelming. Back in Nigeria, he now co-runs a real estate business with his brother. “Life here isn’t so bad. There’s more support,” he said, attributing his return to cultural disconnection and mental strain abroad.
Similarly, Ifeoma, a TikToker who returned from Canada, said she relied on child benefits to survive and had to get financial help from Nigeria. “It was hectic,” she said.
Jenny Jones, another returnee, said she left the U.S. due to burnout and lack of fulfillment. “No therapy or supplement can fix the feeling of emptiness,” she said, adding that she’s now pursuing a fashion business in Lagos.
Idowu Family: 14 Years in America
The Idowu family returned to Nigeria in 2024 after 14 years in the U.S. Despite holding American citizenship, they cited rising crime, racism, and cultural disconnect as key reasons for their return. “America is not what it used to be. We want our kids to grow up with values and without fear,” they said in a YouTube video.
Legal Perspectives
Immigration lawyers like Cephas Caleb and Innocent Ekpen said the trend could be due to a mix of economic, emotional, and policy-related reasons. Ekpen highlighted former President Trump’s immigration clampdown as a potential push factor for undocumented migrants.
Diaspora Commission Reacts
According to Abdur-Rahman Balogun, spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, returnees are coming back primarily due to economic hardship, emotional fatigue, and security concerns abroad.
