The Significant Push and Pull Factors Responsible for Migration of Africans (JAPA) Syndrome: The Comparative Analyses

Abstract

This study investigates the endogamous and exogamous variables that represent African migration and the contemporary Nigerian Japa Syndrome. It contends that, beyond the unfavourable economic climate and the lingering security issues, among other internal vices in Africa, especially in Nigeria, the current trend of out-migration bears a connection with the neoliberal structure of European countries and emerging global trends. The paper aims to clarify the problem: the Old Testament agenda of migration of Africans in connection, relationship, link and association with the new trend of Japa syndrome and emotions, though Africa’s migration history involves and includes the movement of Homo sapiens, that is, the primate species to which modern humans belong, within and out of Africa. The primary objective of this research is to understand that Homo sapiens spread across Africa about 145,000 years ago and that some of those genes moved out of Africa 65,000 years ago. Moreover, major historical findings suggest that travel and migration have been a way of life in Africa, as they are today; according to United Nations estimates, about 50% of all African migrants live outside the continent. Theoretically, the number of documented refugees within the African region has doubled in recent years, continuing a 2-decade trend of expansion and enlargement. In this study, the primary push factors and influences for African migration are war and conflict, limited economic opportunities, and repressive governance back home. In conclusion, this research adopts a qualitative research methodology, as a varied combination of push factors drives African migration and pull factors in each country.