The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has stated that the ‘Japa’ wave of emigration is yielding economic benefits for Nigeria. He said diaspora remittances now rank as the country’s second-largest source of foreign inflow after oil. The monarch spoke in Abeokuta during a free medical outreach by the Yoruba Nurses of North America.
“Some years back, when our economy was nose-diving and our children started travelling abroad, there were apprehensions. Many people thought everything about it must be bad,” Oba Gbadebo said. He noted many who left are now returning as professionals and industrialists to support national development.
YORNNA President, Dr Adebisi Allison, said the health mission aims to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system. The outreach in Ogun State will provide free check-ups, screenings, and medications. A 2024 IOM report estimates 2.1 million Nigerians live abroad, sending home about $21 billion in remittances.