The japa mentality of Nigerians is embarrassing – UK-born actor Wale Ojo

He finds it unfortunate that Nigerian doctors find themselves having to go abroad for their practice and end up being more appreciated overseas.

Award-winning actor Wale Ojo has revealed that his vision for Nigeria is one in which Nigerians don't want to relocate overseas, aka 'japa'.

The actor revealed his aspirations for Nigeria in an interview with ThisDay, stating that even though he spent a lot of years abroad his love for Nigeria has never wavered.

"I have a lot of aspirations. Over the years it would have been extremely easy for me not to come to Nigeria at all. I could easily have stayed in the United States, or United Kingdom, or Germany or even Russia. And I know I would have been okay doing what I do there. But I love Nigeria, and I will always love Nigeria no matter what," he said.

Ojo emphasised his views on the japa trend in Nigeria, stressing that to him the mentality is embarrassing.

"And I have a lot of visions for Nigeria. And that vision is one that encompasses a country where everybody doesn’t want to ‘japa’. The ‘japa’ mentality I think is embarrassing. I think it’s unfortunate, you know where doctors think they go and do their stuff elsewhere and whereas when I go to the United States or go anywhere, Nigerians are applauded for their ingenuity," the actor explained.

Ojo stressed that even though Nigeria has many issues, he intends to be a part of the solution so that the Nigeria of his vision comes to fruition.

"When you will come home there are many problems, I want to be a part of the solution; I don’t want to be talking about the problem I want to be a part of the solution. I put a lot of things in place to bear the solution if the government wants to engage with the creative industry they need to come and talk to people like us because we have a vision for the country; we don’t do ‘follow-follow.’"