How Nigeria’s ‘Japa’ Trend Is Impacting Elozonam Ogbolu’s Relationships
Elozonam Ogbolu, former BBNaija star, recently opened up about the emotional impact of Nigeria’s ongoing japa trend on his relationships, particularly with his family and friends. The japa phenomenon, where individuals leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad, has seen a significant rise in recent years, and Elozonam shared how it has affected his personal life.
During his appearance on the Uncoloured Podcast hosted by former BBNaija housemate Venita, Elozonam spoke about the strain caused by his twin brother’s departure to another country. The two were once very close, but their bond has changed since his brother left. Elozonam explained, “For my twin brother and I, because we’re twins, we tend to fight or disagree a lot by virtue of the fact that we are twins. But after he left, there was nothing to fight about.” He went on to express how he now has to be intentional about staying in touch, explaining that there are days or even weeks where they don’t hear from each other, leaving him frustrated but understanding of the need for his brother to pursue a better life abroad.
The former reality TV star also reflected on how the japa wave has slowly crept into his wider circle. He recalled how the trend began affecting him personally around 2018 when his former boss moved abroad with his family, followed by others. Elozonam shared, “This whole Nigerian situation is something else, and between 2018 to 2024, the first person who left was my boss at the time with his family. After him, it was like he opened the floodgates, and people started leaving.” The feeling of constant change and loss weighed heavily on him. He admitted feeling tired of people leaving and explained how it has affected his ability to form lasting connections. “I’m tired of people leaving, and the adverse effect is that you are now too wary of making friends because you won’t know if they will wake up and leave tomorrow,” he added.
The emotional toll of seeing people around him leave has left Elozonam grappling with the reality of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. He acknowledged that the country’s struggles have driven many, including his close ones, to seek better prospects abroad. “Nigeria isn’t getting any better, and we all know this. Everyone wants a good life for themselves and would leave someday,” he concluded.
Elozonam’s candid conversation sheds light on the personal side of the japa trend, highlighting the emotional challenges of maintaining relationships when so many people around you are leaving in search of better opportunities. His words reflect the widespread frustration and uncertainty many Nigerians feel as they navigate the complexities of life in a country facing increasing difficulties.
