When ‘Jápa’ Meets ‘Jàgùdà: Nigerians’ Lived Experiences Prior to Migration to Developed Countries

Many Nigerians are pushed to negative thinking and belief zones when they get up every day and believe that lack of some fundamental amenities or facilities will prevent them from accomplishing specific activities toward achieving personal goals. Exploration of these zones has led many residents, particularly the youth, to believe that Nigeria would never get it right in terms of having a competent leadership system that will replace the perceived existing bad system. In most situations, the media‘s predilection for negativity over positive in presenting socioeconomic and political events contributes to a poor perception of the country. Aside from presenting more bad news than good news, Nigerian media has also contributed to the country’s constant migration to industrialized countries by spreading the concept of second-class citizenship for citizens who believe that a better life is achievable in the countries being promoted. These acts, as well as others that have gone unreported in the media, have pushed and drawn numerous Nigerians out of the country throughout the years. Previously, our analyst predicted that between 2021 and 2030, 9,232 Nigerians will migrate to developed countries. It would be 14,201 people between 2031 and 2040.

‘Jápa’ Meets ‘Jàgùdà

However, given the current strategy of youth immigration to nations in Europe, North America, and other continents, it is anticipated that these statistics will increase over time. This strategy has been called “Jápa,” which means “to flee” in Yoruba. This slang is frequently used by members of the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria when they have a negative interaction with another person or entity. For instance, based on the narrative views provided by the fellows, family members, relatives, acquaintances, and coworkers typically counseled their fellows to leave a hazardous employment setting or relationship. As a result, youth and those who believe that leaders are not doing enough to improve the lives of all citizens perceive ‘Jápa’ as the ideal alternative. While citizens who want to flee see macro leaders as the main source of the country’s failure in social, economic, and political aspects, our analyst observes that recent experiences of many potential migrants show that activities of micro leaders and followers are more detrimental to getting on the right track to correcting a bad macro leadership system.

Nigerians must successfully navigate a number of ministries, departments, and organizations at the state and federal levels in order to immigrate to any nation. Usually, standardizing and formalizing particular papers calls for this. Contact with key leaders at pertinent MDAs, particularly the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs as well as public health institutions, is necessary in order to complete these tasks. Based on recent experiences of our analyst and those who were present at the MDAs, there is a good chance that Jàgùdà will be encountered, whether at the state or federal level. Again, Jàgùdà is a Yoruba term that was coined several years ago to describe the behavior of a bunch of boys notorious for stealing from the pockets of persons who were negligent with their personal belongings. The group began in Ibadan before moving to Lagos. Later on, the concept spread across the country. A person known as ‘Jàgùdà’ does not carry a sophisticated gun. In most cases, he or she employs a knife and a pretend gun to instill panic in the victim before taking from them.

Essentially, the youth who want to emigrate are meeting micro leaders at MDAs who are utilizing ‘Jàgùdà techniques and strategies after witnessing the desperation of many potential migrants to obtain visas. Before applying for a visa, persons who want to emigrate using the study route must have the pertinent certificates examined and authenticated. Additionally, a medical certificate from a public hospital attesting to the absence of serious health conditions is required. As previously mentioned, coming into contact with micro leaders (in this case, employees) at the pertinent MDAs is the same as running into “Jàgùdà.” There are formal procedures for applying and obtaining approval for necessary documents. Micro leaders typically took advantage of the situation and made a sizable amount of money unofficially because many candidates were desperate and willing to break the law. These applicants also believed in playing the game of bribing their ways.

Ologun (not his actual name), a potential migrant based on further study, had a bad experience with Danladi (not his real name) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he is supposed to authenticate his certificates. The Authentication Unit accepts applications at 9 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m., with applicants expected to arrive by 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to pick up signed certificates. Many applicants believe that the time between submitting and obtaining submitted certificates is too long for those who wish to submit at embassies in Abuja and Lagos. As a result, the desperation to get the credentials back before the deadline. Seeing the desperation, micro leaders take advantage of it, manipulating individuals who cannot wait for the period.

To avoid becoming a victim, Ologun left his location in Abuja earlier and made his way to the Ministry. Unfortunately, the guidelines that were in place for accepting applications the day before had been changed by the time Ologun arrived at the Ministry. He and others were asked to pay for the application and buy envelopes, which were not previously part of the procedures. Employee stated unequivocally that Ologun must arrive before 1pm. Ologun ran to the payment station within the Secretariat premises and returned at 12:58pm. Unfortunately, Danladi stated that the Unit had been closed. This statement did not bode well for Ologun because Danladi was in the process of compiling some  applications for final transmission to another employee who signs submitted certificates. Ologun, like others, did not want to miss his embassy appointment. For several minutes, he implored Danladi to think about him. The sole choice presented to him (Ologun) was to part with a particular sum of money.

Ologun: Please assist me. I got here with very little money. I only have N3,000 remaining. I’ll spend N1,000 to get back to my location. Please accept N2,000 from me.

Danladi: It appears you are not prepared. Your bank balance is N8,000.

Ologun: Sir, I am merely authenticating certificates and not evaluating them.

Danladi: I’ll see you later. There are eight papers in this folder.

Ologun: Sir, I only have my first degree diploma and transcript on two separate sheets. Others are duplicates.

Counting the documents

Danladi: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and eight, Danladi. These are the eight documents that result after signing all of these (he showed back pages and possible places of stamping)

Ologun: Sir, please consider me your brother. What can you do to help me? I only have N2,000 on me.

Danladi: I see you’re shouting a lot. You want people to hear the bargaining.

Ologun: All right, sir.

Danladi: I’m leaving because you’re not prepared.

Ologun had no choice but to leave the Ministry and return the next day. Unfortunately, his expectation of completing the forms before his embassy appointment at 10 a.m. fell through. The next day, he met with another group of staff at the Unit (Danladi was only seen moving in and out). The employee in charge stated that submission would begin only when another staff with a form for registering applicants returned to work. After a few minutes of waiting without the resumption of the said employee, the collector (employee) walked to an office and picked up the form. Ologun was duly registered and submitted his documents after complaining about special treatments being given to some applicants. The same collecting period was announced as the day before. With this announcement, Ologun concluded that he would no longer be able to meet his appointment time at an embassy. It was postponed for another day. It was, however, surprising that the same group of employees surreptitiously assisted those who offered them money and got the documents out for them before the deadline.

Legalising Express Service

Can we legalize express service, based on Ologun’s and others’ experiences in various ministries, departments, and agencies across the country? Because desperation is synonymous with express service, our analyst believes it is past time for the government to explore legalizing express service, which is now being exploited by micro leaders and their cohorts. Legalizing it will help the government increase its revenue profile while also reducing corrupt activities. Based on experience, macro leaders (particularly political leaders) not only contribute to the country’s problems in a quantum-like fashion, but micro leaders are also contributing to many socioeconomic and political challenges.