Agency says sensitisation drive aims to promote patriotism, opportunities at home, and youth engagement in national development
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced plans to spend ₦252 million on a nationwide sensitisation campaign targeted at Nigerian youths to address the growing trend popularly known as the “Japa syndrome”—the mass migration of young Nigerians in search of better opportunities abroad.
According to the agency, the initiative is designed to reorient young people on the importance of nation-building, highlight existing opportunities within Nigeria, and counter what it describes as a rising mindset of hopelessness fueling irregular and legal migration. The campaign will focus on civic education, entrepreneurship awareness, skills development opportunities, and the long-term implications of brain drain on the country’s economy and social stability.
The NOA explained that the sensitisation programme will be implemented across all states of the federation through town hall meetings, school outreaches, digital campaigns, radio and television programmes, and collaborations with youth-focused organisations. The agency noted that the funds allocated will cover media production, logistics, community engagement activities, and stakeholder partnerships aimed at reaching millions of young Nigerians.
Officials of the agency stressed that the campaign is not intended to criminalise migration but to encourage informed decision-making and renewed confidence in Nigeria’s potential. They argued that while seeking opportunities abroad is a personal choice, the growing scale of youth migration poses serious challenges to national productivity, healthcare, education, and innovation sectors.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning whether sensitisation alone can curb migration without addressing unemployment, insecurity, and economic hardship, while others welcomed the initiative as a step toward rebuilding national consciousness among youths.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising emigration figures, the NOA insists the ₦252 million campaign is a strategic investment in changing mindsets, fostering patriotism, and inspiring young citizens to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development rather than seeing migration as the only path to success.
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