Veteran Nigerian comedian and social commentator Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has weighed in on the ongoing mass exodus of Nigerians, popularly known as ‘japa’, saying the movement is rooted in systemic frustrations and the high cost of simply surviving in Nigeria.
Speaking on the Outside the Box Podcast streamed on YouTube on Saturday, Alibaba dissected the economic, infrastructural, and emotional burdens that push many middle-class Nigerians to consider a fresh start abroad—often at great personal and professional cost.
“Survival Costs More Than Success”
Sharing a vivid example, Alibaba recounted the experience of an Assistant General Manager at a Lagos Island bank who spent N150,000 monthly on fuel and over N1 million on diesel just to maintain electricity at home—expenses that quickly piled up alongside rent, school fees, security, feeding, and transportation.
“When he totalled all of this, it was running into N22–N23 million every quarter,” Alibaba said. “Then he asked himself: Can I convert this into a mortgage for a house abroad?”
According to Alibaba, many Nigerians in similar positions are not necessarily seeking greener pastures but functional systems. Abroad, he noted, school fees are often nonexistent for public education, public transport systems work, and there's little to no risk of armed robbery, kidnappings, or constant police harassment.
“People Are Tired of the Hustle Without Results”
He drew a contrast between Nigeria’s unstable systems and the relatively predictable structure in other countries. While Nigeria might offer more chances for sudden wealth—be it political appointments or business windfalls—those opportunities are riddled with inconsistency and insecurity.
“You can be named Commissioner for Finance today and your economic trajectory changes. Would that happen overseas? No. But would your kids be kidnapped overseas for ransom? Also no.”
Alibaba criticized the state’s failure in maintaining a working national database, saying this allows crime to thrive without consequence—from hit-and-run drivers to house helps disappearing with valuables.
“We’re Budgeting Blindly”
He also expressed concern over Nigeria’s lack of reliable population data, describing how flawed and inconclusive past censuses have affected national planning.
“Without accurate census data, the government is budgeting blindly,” he said. “As far back as the time of Jesus, it was an annual thing to go and be counted.”
He also lamented the flawed voter and petition processes, where signatures on political petitions cannot be verified due to lack of biometric identification.
“People Just Want Systems That Work”
Ultimately, Alibaba’s reflections circle back to a central point: Nigerians are not necessarily fleeing poverty—they’re fleeing dysfunction.
“When people move abroad, they realize they don’t need prayers or vigils for electricity, for security, or for roads. Systems work. That’s it.”
He added that the financial strain on Nigerian families has flipped the natural generational support system, where now “parents who raised children are still taking care of them at 40.”
Alibaba’s comments serve as a poignant reminder that ‘japa’ is more than a buzzword—it is a survival strategy rooted in the deep desire for peace, dignity, and opportunity. As Nigeria continues to battle insecurity, economic pressure, and institutional failures, the decision to relocate is no longer about escaping but about reclaiming a functional life.