‘Believe more in your country!’ Senate Set to Collate Data on Nigerians in Diaspora, Plans to Curb Japa

OwelekeTV — The Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations has raised concerns over the rising wave of Nigerians leaving the country for better prospects abroad, popularly known as the “Japa” phenomenon.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi), who chairs the committee, emphasized that the mass exodus poses economic risks and weakens Nigeria’s workforce. She stated that the committee is committed to tackling the root causes of emigration by pushing for policies that create better opportunities within the country.

The committee’s intervention is aimed at addressing the economic factors fueling migration and ensuring that Nigerians find viable reasons to remain and contribute to national development.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, emphasised the importance of reversing the trend for the benefit of the country.

“This committee will do this by collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the area of making Nigerians particularly the youth, believe more in their country and not the mindset of wanting to rush out of the country.

“Patriotism is earned and not forced. We need to identify a few steps that we can use in building our economy here using our diaspora energy.

“We’re going to look into countries like India, Pakistan, even Egypt, in Africa here on how they have grown their capacities and making their countries attractive for a larger percentage of citizenry to stay.

“The committee will start this process by getting the database of Nigerians in Diaspora, country by country and also collaborate with various international organisations on areas of focus that can attract many of them back home.

“India is a very good example of reversing the japa syndrome by being the Information and Communication Technology capacity hub of the world with attendant jobs for its citizens,”

Akpoti-Uduaghan added.

In his remarks, the former chairman of the committee, Senator Victor Umeh (APGA, Anambra), expressed confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s leadership.

He praised her for possessing the necessary skills to lead the committee effectively and galvanize efforts to tap into the potential of Nigeria’s diaspora communities. “With Senator Natasha as Chairman, I am confident that the committee will make significant strides in reversing the ‘Japa’ syndrome,” Umeh said.