Nigerian pastor warns youth relocating abroad will regret "japa." Faces backlash, and accusations of self-interest. Many mock advice, cite better career opportunities overseas as reasons to ignore warnings against seeking greener pastures by relocating from Nigeria.
Pastor Femi Emmanuel, a Nigerian cleric, recently made a controversial statement warning youth not to relocate abroad for greener pastures, saying "You and your generation will regret it if you relocate from Nigeria." This sparked backlash and reactions from many Nigerians on social media.
Some responses mocked or questioned the pastor's motives, with one asking "Just to ask sha, what's this man's source of income?" implying he has a vested interest in keeping members in Nigeria. Others dismissed his warning outright, with one saying "I reject it in Jesus' name" and another declaring "My generation will not regret in Jesus' name."
Several pointed out the perceived hypocrisy, asking where the pastor's children lived or saying "They don't want their church to be empty." One claimed their parents' decision to relocate abroad already benefited their generation.
Many cited better opportunities and prioritization of their careers like social work as reasons to ignore the pastor's advice against japa, the Nigerian slang term for relocating abroad, often to greener pastures. "If I become qualified, not only will I be respected but I'll be earning x3...," one wrote. A few people questioned if the pastor even understood the meaning of "japa" or wondered if his comments were prompted by fears of reduced conference attendance and income from a dwindling congregation.
