Article by Eyong-Ebob Takang

Photo by Daniel De Ciantis on Unsplash

In today’s society, frequent-flier miles, curated Instagram posts from exotic destinations, and the allure of international travel have become subtle markers of social status—a quiet luxury. For Nigerians, to “japa” means more than simply emigrating; it means to “run for your life” (Jing Jing Liu, 2024). Those with the means see relocation to the West as the ultimate goal. While this mentality has its justifications, it is worth exploring how social status is tied to physical mobility and the resulting environmental impact.

In Nigerian slang, “to japa” implies a desperate escape, a way to flee the limitations and hardships of home. Although the desire to seek a better life abroad is not unique to Nigerians, the demographic this term applies to makes it noteworthy. While those in Nigeria’s lowest and largest social class may never leave their hometowns, let alone the country, the wealthiest 5% can afford private flights and other international luxuries. However, japa resonates most with Nigeria’s middle class, particularly the educated youth (Jing Jing Liu, 2024).

What makes this migration significant is its motivation. Unlike those fleeing war or persecution, these Nigerians see emigration as essential to their survival. Nigeria, despite its rich resources, faces severe economic, political, and social challenges. As the naira depreciates, corruption thrives, and insecurity disrupts lives, it is no wonder people seek better opportunities abroad. But in reality, only those in the middle class who can afford it are in a position to act on this desire.

Most Nigerians live day-to-day, striving for even basic stability. For those beginning to escape poverty, moving abroad represents an escape from hardship. Life in the middle class may be significantly better than in the working class, but many dream of living far from Nigeria’s troubles. This middle-class migration raises questions about whether the drive to emigrate is truly about survival alone, or if it also reflects aspirations for a higher social standing and improved lifestyle abroad (Jing Jing Liu, 2024). The connection between social class and physical mobility is clear. Financial and social constraints often bind the working class to their immediate environment, while middle-class youth, with the resources and social capital to leave, feel empowered to pursue survival—and success—elsewhere.

The link between social class and mobility is evident, yet its effect on Nigeria’s economy is profound. As Nigerians climb the social ladder, their reliance on various modes of transport increases, thereby expanding their carbon footprint. In Western countries, efforts to shift to greener transportation are growing, but Nigeria may be far from such changes. With oil and gas accounting for over 90% of its exports, the energy sector is essential to economic stability and growth (Nigerian Embassy in the Hague, 2023). Transitioning to green technology, for Nigeria, might seem to place the environment above urgent human needs—a perspective that renders such a shift less feasible.

This view, however, overlooks the symbiotic relationship between human prosperity and environmental health. When ecosystems are compromised, human welfare inevitably declines. Agriculture, for instance, accounts for about 40% of Nigeria’s GDP, and climate change poses a serious threat to this sector (Nigerian Embassy in the Hague, 2023). If extreme weather devastates crops, it could destabilize livelihoods of over 60% of the population employed in agriculture, creating widespread economic and social disruptions (Nigerian Embassy in the Hague, 2023).

Ultimately, whether a person is flying for leisure or emigrating for a better future, societal emphasis on mobility contributes to climate change. On a broad scale, one might conclude that nations must reframe their values to reduce dependency on carbon-heavy transportation, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate impacts (Urry, 2009). In Nigeria’s context, however, this is complex. Acknowledging the connection between environmental health and human welfare is a start, but it raises the question: Can Nigeria realistically transition from its reliance on fossil fuels without sacrificing economic stability?

In a society where social class carries such weight, shifting priorities away from fossil-fuel-driven mobility and addressing climate issues will require significant change. Nigerians would need to rethink the role of physical mobility as a status symbol. Even if there is recognition of this dependency, can the nation alter its fossil fuel reliance quickly enough to prevent irreversible environmental harm?

References:

Jing Jing Liu. (2024). Middle-class youth fleeing Nigeria: rethinking African survival migration through the Japa phenomenon. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, pp.1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183x.2024.2323049.

Nigerian Embassy in the Hague. (2023). Nigerian Economy– The Embassy of Nigeria. The Hague. [Online] Available at: https://nigerianembassythehague.nl/nigerian-economy/ [Accessed 2 Nov. 2024].

Urry, J. (2009). Sociology and Climate Change. The Sociological Review, 57(2_suppl), pp.84–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954x.2010.018

Related