21st May, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Nigerian actor Wale Ojo has criticized the ‘japa’ mentality among Nigerians, calling it embarrassing.
In an interview with ThisDay, Ojo shared his goals for Nigeria, emphasizing that his love for the country remains strong despite spending many years abroad.
“I have many aspirations. It would have been easy for me to stay abroad in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, or even Russia, and I would have been fine there. But I love Nigeria, and I always will,” he stated.
Ojo expressed his disapproval of the ‘japa’ trend, where Nigerians, including professionals like doctors, seek opportunities overseas.
He finds this mentality unfortunate and embarrassing, noting that Nigerians are celebrated for their creativity abroad.
He stressed his commitment to being part of the solution to Nigeria’s problems. “I have a lot of visions for Nigeria. I want to see a country where people don’t feel the need to ‘japa’. When I come home, despite the challenges, I aim to be part of the solution. The government should engage with the creative industry and people like us who have a vision for the country. We don’t just follow the crowd,” Ojo explained.