JAPA SYNDROME AND ITS CHALLENGES TO THE NIGERIA’S LABOUR FORCE: A SEARCH FOR RELIGIOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Japa syndrome which is the recent high rate of emigration of Nigerian citizens to foreign countries in search of greener pastures has become a cause for serious deliberation. It is evident that this syndrome affects the labour force of Nigeria adversely since the youth, professionals, and the skilled workers in Nigeria are predominantly involved in this mass exodus. This work employed the Stewardship Theory, the philosophical concepts of Ujamaa and Ujima, the Encyclicals of “Populorum Progressio” and “Rerum Novarum" in actualizing its aim. The qualitative method of data analysis was employed in this work; whereas both the primary and secondary means of data collection were adopted. The gathered data were synchronised via phenomenological and culture centered approach. It was discovered that owing to bad governance, unemployment, unfavourable working conditions, insecurity in Nigeria amongst other factors; the youth, professionals and the skilled workers in Nigeria resort to seeking for greener pastures in foreign countries. This poses grave threats to the Nigeria’s labour force as the country is left “brain drained” with few prospective skilled workers and professionals to fill the vacuum left in various governmental parastatals and other fields of endeavour. Since all the major religions in Nigeria promote good virtues, this work proffers religious solutions to the challenges that Japa syndrome poses to the Nigeria’s labour force with special reference to the Christian religious teachings.