- You graduate. You take those proud pictures in your gown. Family cheers, friends hug, and the future looks bright at least for that weekend. Then reality hits. Job search turns into job hunt, job hunt turns into job drought, and before long, the question creeps in: “Did I waste four years?”
Welcome to post-graduation disillusionment — a psychological phase that many Nigerian youths silently battle. It’s that space between hope and harsh reality where expectations clash with the economy, and self-worth begins to wobble.
🧠The Psychology Behind It
In psychology, this phase mirrors “identity crisis” — a confusion of purpose and self-concept triggered when one’s dreams meet systemic failure. Nigerian graduates are often raised with the belief that education equals success. But when degrees stop translating into stability, the brain reacts with disappointment, anxiety, and self-doubt.
That’s where the “Japa Fever” sets in — a psychological coping mechanism dressed as migration. The brain seeks safety and opportunity, so “abroad” becomes not just a destination but a mental escape route from perceived hopelessness.
💠Why It’s Deeper Than Just Leaving
The real issue isn’t that young people want to leave — it’s why they feel they must. Many are not chasing foreign lands; they’re running from domestic frustration. When your country repeatedly invalidates your efforts, displacement begins to feel like destiny.
Yet, leaving doesn’t always solve the inner emptiness. Studies show that migrants often experience “arrival depression” — a delayed wave of confusion after realizing that success abroad still requires rebuilding identity, purpose, and belonging from scratch.
🌱 A Shift in Perspective
The healing starts when young Nigerians begin redefining success beyond the traditional template. Purpose is not a paycheck; it’s alignment between your skills, passions, and contribution to the world. Whether at home or abroad, clarity of purpose is the anchor that prevents disillusionment from becoming despair.
đź’¬ Questions:
1. Do you think the “Japa Fever” is more about opportunity or escape?
2. What’s one thing Nigeria could change to make young graduates believe in the system again?
