In a recent live broadcast, musician and activist Seun Kuti offered a pointed critique of the "japa" trend—the strong desire among many Nigerians to emigrate—attributing it directly to upbringing in poverty.
Kuti argued that individuals who grew up in poor households often develop a worldview shaped by that experience. "Most of these people are poor. They are poor children that grew up in poor homes," he stated. "I cannot blame you because if you grew up in a poor home in Nigeria, there is no how your brain is fully formed."
He identified supporters of the "japa" narrative as the clearest example of this dynamic. "The biggest example of people who grew up in poor homes are the people that believe in Japa. If you believe in japa, it’s because you grew up in a poor home," Kuti asserted. He contrasted this with those from more comfortable backgrounds, suggesting they "can travel and come back," rather than feeling compelled to leave permanently.
The artist further explained that factors like poor nutrition and harsh childhood discipline can impair cognitive development, entrenching a cycle of poverty and limiting one's perspective on life and opportunity.
Kuti's comments have sparked conversation on social media, engaging with ongoing debates about migration, socio-economic mobility, and the long-term impacts of childhood environment in Nigeria.
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