Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, has asserted that many Nigerians who relocated abroad in search of better opportunities are confronting harsh economic realities, despite holding university degrees and earning in foreign currencies. Speaking on The Morayo Show, Bwala argued that the actual living conditions for many emigrants, particularly in the United Kingdom, starkly contrast with the expectations that prompted their departure from Nigeria.
Graduates working outside their fields
Bwala highlighted that a significant number of Nigerian graduates abroad are employed in sectors completely unrelated to their qualifications, such as care homes and warehouses. “Some of you in Nigeria who think you are suffering, you’re better off than your colleagues that japa five years ago,” he said. He described the structural realities of migration as exploitative, noting that high overhead expenses abroad often leave workers with minimal disposable income, regardless of seemingly high monthly revenues. He characterized the intense cycle of survival as modern-day slavery.
Breakdown of overseas earnings and expenses
According to Bwala’s breakdown, while many overseas workers earn between £2,600 and £2,800 monthly, the bulk of those funds is immediately consumed by essential living costs, including rent, utility bills, internet services, public transportation, and food. “At the end of the day, what you are left with is not much. So you are forced to do two or three jobs,” he remarked. He maintained that individuals earning modest salaries within Nigeria often retain access to a resilient social safety net that does not exist for diaspora workers. “That ₦60,000 earner can still get support from family and friends, while many abroad have nobody to fall back on,” he added.
Context of the Japa syndrome
The remarks come amid growing concern over the “Japa syndrome,” a term used to describe the mass emigration of Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad due to challenges such as poor healthcare, insecurity, and unemployment. Bwala’s comments were made in response to a question about government policies to address this trend. The video of his interview was shared on social media by @ChuksEricE on July 9, 2026, sparking widespread discussion.
