Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, says the country’s ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon reverse the " #Japa Syndrome” — the popular term used to describe the mass migration of young Nigerians seeking better lives abroad.

Speaking during the 10th coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure in Ondo State, Olawande claimed that with the current administration’s efforts to stabilise the economy, upskill youth, and foster global partnerships, more Nigerians abroad will start looking homeward again.

“In the near future, everybody will prefer to come and stay in Nigeria than remain abroad,” he said, adding that Nigerian youth are beginning to feel more connected to governance after decades of disillusionment.

But while the minister paints a picture of a country on the rise, real-time testimonies from Nigerians in the diaspora reflect a more sobering reality.

In a video shared on X by user @ourfavonlinedoc, a Nigerian woman who migrated to the UK expressed regret over her decision. She recounted living a relatively comfortable life in Nigeria, only to arrive in the UK and find herself struggling to secure meaningful employment. Despite applying for over 100 jobs, she said, most responses pointed her toward roles in the healthcare sector — not the path she had envisioned.

Her story echoes a growing number of voices online — Nigerians who left with high hopes but now face cultural shocks, unrelenting job market pressures, and a reality that often falls short of the dream.

The tweet captioned “These stories are heartbreaking” reflects the growing discontent and emotional toll on migrants who feel stuck between two difficult worlds: one they left behind and another that hasn’t welcomed them as expected.

The Minister’s optimism is rooted in recent international engagement, including a youth-focused visit to the UAE, where he claims Nigeria’s new developmental agenda received rare diplomatic attention.

He also announced a skills-focused model being developed to ensure that every young Nigerian is employable across sectors — with an emphasis on acquiring at least two distinct skills.

Still, the contrast between government rhetoric and personal experience couldn’t be more evident. While state officials speak of a nation worth returning to, many in the diaspora are still waiting for evidence that meaningful change is happening fast enough to consider coming back.