The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, has said that some Nigerians earning as little as ₦60,000 a month are financially better off than many compatriots who relocated abroad under the popular “Japa” trend five years ago.
Bwala made the assertion while commenting on the economic realities facing Nigerians in the diaspora, arguing that the rising cost of living in many foreign countries has significantly reduced the financial advantages previously associated with migration.
According to the presidential aide, many Nigerians who left the country in search of better opportunities are now grappling with high housing costs, increased taxation, expensive healthcare, transportation expenses and other living costs that have eroded their disposable income.
He argued that while salaries abroad may appear substantially higher than those earned in Nigeria, the purchasing power of many migrants has been weakened by inflation and the overall cost of living in their host countries.
Bwala maintained that comparisons between earnings in Nigeria and abroad should not be based solely on salary figures but should also take into account living expenses, taxation and other financial obligations.
“Someone earning ₦60,000 in Nigeria may, in some cases, be better off than those who relocated abroad five years ago,” he said, suggesting that the economic realities confronting many migrants differ from the expectations that motivated their relocation.
The presidential spokesman noted that the perception that every Nigerian living abroad enjoys a significantly better quality of life is not always accurate, stressing that many migrants work multiple jobs to meet basic living expenses and financial commitments.
His comments come amid continuing public conversations about the “Japa” phenomenon, a term commonly used to describe the growing wave of Nigerians emigrating in search of improved economic opportunities, education and better living conditions.
Over the past several years, thousands of Nigerians have relocated to countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States and Australia, citing concerns over unemployment, insecurity, inflation and broader economic challenges at home.
Despite the migration trend, reports from several destination countries have also highlighted increasing living costs, rising rents and tighter immigration policies, prompting discussions about the long-term financial realities faced by migrants.
Bwala’s remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media and among economic observers. While some agreed that the cost-of-living crisis in several developed countries has made life more difficult for many migrants, others argued that comparing earnings without considering access to public services, career opportunities, social security and long-term income potential presents an incomplete picture.
Analysts say migration decisions are often influenced by a combination of factors beyond monthly income, including access to quality healthcare, education, personal safety, professional development and overall quality of life.
As debate over Nigeria’s economic outlook and the “Japa” trend continues, Bwala’s comments have added a fresh perspective to the national conversation, highlighting the complexities of comparing living standards between Nigeria and countries that remain popular destinations for Nigerian migrants.
