2025/10/03 by Peter, Olawale
#Jacob’s migration #Japa #Japada #Nigerian youths #the Book of Genesis
paper · doi:10.82265/yevy-nh86
History is replete with accounts of people’s movement from one place to another (migration) either for temporary or permanent settlement in the new locations. In the biblical account for instance, human migration began with Adam and Eve when banished from the garden to cultivate land for living (Gen. 3:23-24). But every event of migration whether voluntary or involuntary is occasioned by certain factors. It could be in search of better livelihood or as an escape from some unpleasant circumstances. Since around 2017-2023, Nigeria witnessed mass emigration of young professionals and artisans. This alarming phenomenon, commonly referred to as ‘japa’, raised different concerns for different people. While some worry about the brain drain effect on Nigeria socio-economy, others are concerned about the possible backlashes on the emigrants themselves. This paper examined a similar situation in Jacob narrative in the book of Genesis to appraise the japa syndrome. Adopting narrative critiscism and comparative method, the study descriptively engaged the text by analysing the narrative of Jacob and comparing the narrative plot to Nigeria recent migratory tides. Findings reveal that while migration is inevitable in human communities, the connotative intent of the word japa portends hopelessness on one’s land of birth and complete detachment from it. The study therefore, concluded that just as in the case of Jacob in the Bible, emigration should not only be conceived as an escape, but as a venture to acquire fortune in order to better one’s home land and further its prosperity.