Stopping the "Japa" Syndrome: Why Peacebuilding is the Best Investment for Youth Retention

 In 2026, "Japa" (emigration) is more than a trend; it is a referendum on national security.

At CYPLP, our "B4 You Japa" initiative is proving that when youth feel secure and heard at home, they choose to build rather than leave. We are shifting the narrative from "fleeing the crisis" to "solving the source."

While headlines focus on "brain drain" in medicine and tech, a more dangerous drain is occurring in our communities: the loss of social capital. When the most active, peace-conscious young people leave, they leave behind a vacuum that is often filled by radicalization and crime.

Statistics for 2026 show that unemployment (over 30%) and insecurity remain the primary "push factors" for irregular migration. But at Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP), we have identified a third, silent factor: The Loss of Hope.


We don't tell youth "don't leave." We offer them a reason to stay. Our initiative addresses the root causes of the "Japa" syndrome through a three-pronged approach:

  1. Economic Peacebuilding: We link peace-training with vocational programs. By turning conflict-prone youth into local entrepreneurs, we replace the "desperation to leave" with the "opportunity to lead."

  2. Psychosocial Re-anchoring: Many youth "Japa" due to trauma from local insecurity. Our trauma-informed counseling sessions in places help youth process their experiences, reducing the psychological drive to escape.

  3. Governance Inclusion: We advocate for a 30% affirmative action policy for youth in local decision-making. If a young person feels they can influence the laws of their own street, they are less likely to seek refuge in another country.

In 2025, our community sensitizations reached over 5,000 beneficiaries.

  • 70% of participants in our "Dine for Peace" dialogues reported a renewed commitment to community development.

  • Our Peace Day "Basket of Peace" competitions have successfully bridged divides between conflicting neighborhoods, creating the "Safe Zones" that youth need to feel they have a future at home.

The global North is currently spending billions on "border management." We offer a more cost-effective solution: Root-Cause Management. By investing in CYPLP, you aren't just funding a workshop; you are funding the stability that keeps a generation of brilliant Nigerian minds working for a safer, more prosperous Africa.

"Migration should be a choice, not a survival strategy. We are making 'Staying' a viable, dignified option again." — Founder, CYPLP.

Don't wait for the next migration crisis. Partner with us today to scale the "B4 You Japa" model across schools and universities, and with National Youth Service Corp in Nigeria.


#Japa #JapaSydrome #safemigration #migration #schema #refugee #migrants #CYPLP www.cyplp.net.ng

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