Re-echoing the Renewed Hope Agenda to Address ‘Japa’ Syndrome

Remi Adebayo

The first step in addressing a problem is to understand its extent, nature and challenges so that solutions can be found.

Today, what could pass for the greatest opportunity in search of promising global skill has largely becoming an embarrassment and burden to Nigeria.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries that were once strict with their immigration laws are now easing their visa issuance policies to accommodate foreign workers. This relaxation of visa restrictions has become a common trend across the globe.

In large numbers, young Nigerians and other professionals have been leaving the country due to lack of job opportunities, poor infrastructure, and limited access to good governance. The growing poverty in the country has also contributed to their decision to leave

A 2023 global youth unemployment index, The Spectator, has ranked Nigerian youths as the second highest unemployed youths in the world.

While the youths and other eligible citizens continue to migrate in their numbers at the expense of the nation, the backlash is seen through growing shortages of qualified personnel in critical sectors such as health and education.

In a world that is now a global village, restricting foreigners from taking advantage of globally available opportunities is impossible. It is in the context of this worrisome form of emigration, that Nigeria along with other concerned nations are now expressing worries over the danger of this new found trend of emigration if not nipped in the bud.

According to a report published in Premium Times on August 14, 2023, by SciDev.Net, the nurse-to-patient ratio in some healthcare facilities is alarming. The report shows that there is only one nurse available to attend to 1,160 patients, which is significantly higher than the recommended nurse-to-patient ratio of 114:1 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Due to the continuous brain drain of young medical personnel from Nigeria, the few ageing generations of healthcare workers are now responsible for sustaining the medical welfare of the population.

The UK reported a 263.7% increase in the number of Nigerian healthcare professionals granted skilled work visas in the health care category. This number tripled within a year, rising from 6,125 in the year ending 2022 to 22,278 in the year ending June 2023.

Legal cross-border movement of citizens is allowed in a world of collaboration and shared expertise. But it is alarming that many youths risk their lives to immigrate to foreign countries for better opportunities not available in Nigeria.

To tackle the problem of illegal migration in Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must harness the potential of the country’s large youth population which accounts for around 40% of the total population.

The new administration made strong promises to prioritize the youth and their inclusiveness in governance, and this has been made good with the President appointing several youths as ministers, advisers, assistants, and agency heads.

One of such appointments is Dr. Betta Edu, the 36-year-old Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who previously served as the national women leader of the ruling party and as Cross River State Commissioner for Health.

Edu is a highly qualified medical expert who recently led the Nigerian delegation to engage with about 50 countries to discuss the crisis caused by the irregular migration from Nigeria and other African nations to Europe. The forum had the theme: Rabat Process Migration, Youth and Development at The Hague, Netherlands. The meeting was co-hosted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of the Netherlands and had in attendance ambassadors, ministers, top government officials, and development partners.

Dr. Edu discussed a range of issues at the meeting, including illegal migration and the resulting humanitarian crises and poverty challenges in Nigeria, Africa, and the world as a whole. With the scarcity of jobs being a primary cause of the mass exodus of people from Nigeria and other countries, Edu emphasized the importance of a global partnership to create jobs in Nigeria. This, she argued, would help to reduce and ultimately stop illegal immigration and prevent further humanitarian crises around the world.

The Tinubu-led administration’s multi-sectoral vision, as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope agenda, prioritizes investment in critical sectors like education, technology, entertainment, agriculture, ICT, trade, sports, health, industry, and the digital economy to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

The forum’s major success was securing commitments from the EU and the Netherlands to support Nigeria’s job creation efforts, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision to combat poverty, irregular migration and promoting stakeholders’ engagement. Furthermore, Nigeria also secured the return of the issuance of long-stay visas from the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana to the Nigerian Embassy.

During the meeting, a proposed solution model was discussed to address global challenges. The model aims to explore the relationship between migration, youth, and development, with a focus on individuals aged 15 to 24, who make up 16 percent of the world’s population. Indeed, the attending governments agreed to invest in creating an enabling environment for youth development in their native countries to address illegal migration.

It’s worth noting that the minister is a young person who has been entrusted with a significant responsibility in a highly strategic ministry. Her role is to play a key part in unlocking the vast resources of the country to ensure that everything is done to implement Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Nigerian youths possess immense potential to contribute significantly to national development by utilizing their talents and skills, as demonstrated by the establishment of 107 Start-ups by individuals aged between 25 and 35. In 2022 alone, these Start-ups have received over USD 800 million in investment, showcasing their capability to drive economic growth and innovation in the country.

The minister believes that President Tinubu has provided the youths with more opportunities to pioneer innovative ideas through various start-up initiatives. These youths will not only create innovative tech start-ups but also make significant strides in the creative industry, education, medicine, science, leadership and sports.

The Minister noted that the $21.9 billion diaspora remittances to Nigeria in 2022 were from Nigerians living in Europe, North America, and other parts of the world who have emigrated for better opportunities. While acknowledging that the ‘Japa’ phenomenon has become a hot-button topic, she also highlighted the various challenges that young migrants face in their pursuit of new opportunities and means of self-expression.

The success of the Netherlands meeting, co-chaired by Nigeria, can be attributed solely to the efforts of the Nigerian delegation. The benefits of this success are expected to have a direct impact on the youth, through the creation of job opportunities, encouragement of start-ups and reduction in illegal emigration.

As a minister with direct engagement and inter-ministerial oversight on the plights of Nigerian youths, aged, and vulnerable citizens, the focus now shifts to Dr. Edu and her team. The attention goes beyond the excitement and buy-ins of the European meeting and instead, towards how the new government can actualize the promised change among the targeted citizens.

For many years, both Nigerians and foreigners have commended various policy documents that are aimed at reviving the nation and helping its citizens. It is important for this group of individuals to remain in Nigeria and work together to tackle the issues facing the country. This message was reiterated at The Hague, and it is crucial to garner international support for engaging Nigeria’s large youth population, especially in the present time.

Paul Huijts, the Secretary General of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has pointed out the importance of providing young people with meaningful participation opportunities and ensuring that governments address the root causes of irregular migration to meet their needs. This sentiment highlights the need to tackle this issue from its core and create a more sustainable solution.

“Let us listen to challenges that young people in our countries face, like poor education, unemployment, low number of youth and women’s leadership and involvement in national international decision making. For Nigeria, President Tinubu is indeed changing the picture of leadership and increasing youth and women inclusion in governance daily, ” Huijts said.

Erica Gerritsen, Director-General for International Partnership at the European Union Commission, emphasized the importance of engaging participants to increase their involvement in leadership policies and decision-making

Building positive narratives about young migrants and highlighting their potential to contribute to their country is part of “Giving Voice,” rather than focusing on the negativity of illegal migration, Gerritsen emphasized.

The task of halting illegal migration, ending hunger, reducing poverty, tackling illiteracy, brain drain, and other challenges outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda, under the leadership of Tinubu, will not end at this meeting. It is essential that all members of the cabinet and participants at all levels of government weigh the consequences of taking little or no action as the population continues to rise.

Efforts to retain our best hands and youths should be redoubled as time ticks.

*Adebayo wrote from proedgecomng@ gmail.com

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