"School Fees Abroad Are More Expensive" – Minister Ayodele Olawande Urges Nigerian Youth to Rethink 'Japa' Plans

In a recent discussion that stirred debate among Nigerian youths, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, issued a passionate plea for young Nigerians to reconsider the rising trend of migrating abroad, popularly known as “japa”. Speaking during a panel session on Channels Television, the minister stressed the importance of critical thinking, proper research, and long-term planning before making life-altering decisions such as relocating to another country in search of better opportunities.

The topic of migration has gained massive attention in recent years, especially among Nigerian youth who are frustrated by the lack of job opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and economic hardship. However, according to Minister Olawande, many young Nigerians are being misled by social media trends and peer pressure, failing to fully understand the real costs and consequences of relocating abroad.

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“Even Their School Fees Are More Expensive” – The Hard Truth About Studying Abroad

One of the minister's main points during the panel session was the true cost of studying abroad. In his words, “Most of these countries that you japa to, that’s the same thing they do. Even their school fees is more expensive.”

This statement sheds light on a critical but often overlooked aspect of the japa trend: the financial burden of education overseas. While it’s common for many young Nigerians to believe that everything is better abroad, Minister Olawande explained that higher education in many foreign countries comes with steep tuition fees that are far above what is required in Nigeria.

In countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia—popular destinations for Nigerian migrants—international students can pay anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000 per year in tuition fees alone, excluding living expenses, transportation, accommodation, and healthcare. For many families, this can result in massive debt, financial stress, and emotional strain.

Minister Olawande’s argument is that many Nigerians do not take time to do proper research into these costs before embarking on their migration journey. In their rush to escape Nigeria's challenges, they sometimes end up facing even more severe financial burdens abroad.

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NELFUND: A Game-Changer for Nigerian Students

In the course of the discussion, Olawande highlighted a major step the government is taking to improve education and youth development in Nigeria — the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). According to the minister, this initiative is a clear signal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing the future of Nigerian students.

“This is the first time a President is making it clear that no student should drop out of school due to inability to pay fees. That’s a major plus for Nigerian students,” Olawande said.

The NELFUND scheme is designed to provide interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions, ensuring that no Nigerian youth is denied access to higher education because of financial limitations. It’s a policy that echoes student loan systems found in many Western countries but with terms more favourable to students.

Unlike the high-interest loans that are common abroad, Nigeria’s student loan fund aims to be accessible, sustainable, and supportive, focusing on the educational growth and eventual economic independence of beneficiaries.

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Youth Development Beyond Education: Creating Jobs and Securing the Future

Minister Olawande didn’t stop at education alone. He also touched on the administration’s broader plans to provide job opportunities for graduates, making sure that students who benefit from the loan fund are not left stranded after school.

“For a president to think like that, you know he’s looking at the future. The same government is working to ensure that after school, you can get a job and be able to pay back the loan,” Olawande added.

This vision reflects a more holistic approach to youth development—one that addresses both education and employment. By creating an environment where students can study, graduate, and secure jobs, the government hopes to reduce brain drain and retain talent within Nigeria.

The minister acknowledged the current challenges in the economy, but he encouraged young Nigerians to understand the bigger picture. He emphasized that long-term development takes time and that jumping on social media trends without deep reflection can lead to regrettable decisions.

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Why Many Nigerians Are Rushing to ‘Japa’

It’s not difficult to understand why many Nigerian youths are eager to leave the country. With rising inflation, poor infrastructure, low wages, insecurity, and political instability, many feel there’s no future for them in Nigeria. Social media is filled with images of Nigerians thriving abroad, sharing tales of better healthcare, cleaner environments, stable electricity, and well-paying jobs.

But Minister Olawande warned that not all that glitters is gold. Many migrants face racism, discrimination, isolation, work-life imbalance, visa issues, and pressure to send money back home. In some cases, students who borrow large sums to pay foreign school fees are unable to find jobs after graduation, leaving them trapped in cycles of debt.

Olawande’s point is not to discourage migration altogether, but to encourage wisdom, preparation, and awareness. The decision to leave one’s home country is a serious one, and it should be based on facts, not fantasy.

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A Call to Action: Invest in Nigeria, Stay and Build

Rather than viewing Nigeria as a lost cause, the Youth Minister urged young people to be part of the solution. With policies like NELFUND and renewed government attention on job creation, he believes the country is on a path of gradual but steady improvement.

He encouraged Nigerian youths to take advantage of local opportunities and support policies that aim to rebuild the economy. With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the youth have enormous potential to drive change, create businesses, innovate solutions, and make their voices heard.

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Conclusion: Think Before You ‘Japa’

In summary, Minister Ayodele Olawande’s message to the youth is clear: don’t follow trends blindly. While it’s tempting to believe that life is automatically better abroad, the reality is that foreign countries come with their own set of financial and emotional challenges. With policies like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and renewed focus on job creation, the government is making efforts to secure the future of young people in Nigeria.

As the minister aptly put it:

“Most of these countries that you japa to, that’s the same thing they do. Even their school fees is more expensive.”
“This is the first time a President is making it clear that no student should drop out of school due to inability to pay fees. That’s a major plus for Nigerian students.”
“For a president to think like that, you know he’s looking at the future.”

Before making any major life decision, especially one as significant as migration, the youth are urged to research, reflect, and make informed choices.