SOCIAL MEDIA COMMENTS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON JAPA

SYNDROME AMONG THE YOUNG ADULTS IN NIGERIA

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the study

Social media has become a pivotal part of people’s lives, and with its continuous growth, the

number of engagements on the new media has also increased tremendously. Social media

comment is a major way for its users to express their opinions, thoughts, and feelings about

posts, pictures, videos, and other content. However, social media comments have been a topic of

discussion as they can be used for cyberbullying, hate speech, or spread misinformation and fake

news.Aside been an avenue for sharing or expressing opinions, Social media has had a

significant influence on the rising migration of young Nigerians particularly the youths that are

exposed to the new media in their daily engagements. Social media platforms such as Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have provided young Nigerians with access to information

about job opportunities, education, and migration (Olawale, 2021). Through social media, young

Nigerians are able to connect with people and organizations that can help them achieve their

goals of migrating to other countries. The New media has also allowed young Nigerians to share

their experiences with others, which can serve as inspiration for others to pursue the same path.

The term ‘Japa’ is a Yoruba coinage, which literal denotes to leave for good. It has become one

of the most used phrases for the growing migration by whom many described as desperate

Nigerians in search of greener pastures elsewhere.According to the US Census Bureau, Nigeria's

population will surpass that of the US in 2047. This makes sense in light of estimates from

Macrotrends and Statista that put Nigeria's population growth rate at 2.41 percent annually and

the US population growth rate at 0.12 percent in 2021 (Danjuma, 2023). Seven out of ten

Nigerians, according to research by the Africa Polling Institute released in 2021, were open to

relocating abroad for a number of reasons, with many of them succeeding. This was supported by
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a recent survey from the pan-African research group Afrobarometer, which listed Nigeria as one

of the top 13 African countries where people moved for work, studies, security, and other

reasons(Peoples Gazette, 2022).According to the British government's statistics, there were

137,000 foreign employees representing 202 different nationalities working alongside British

doctors and nurses. 3.9% of them were medical professionals from Nigeria(Peoples Gazette,

2022).Without a doubt, the highly educated professionals from Nigeria who leave the country are

experts in a variety of fields, including engineering, medicine, education, law, and information

technology. In the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and other

nations, the majority of them hold paying jobs as doctors, nurses, lecturers, and IT experts.

Others, like cleaners, taxi drivers, construction workers, hairdressers, auto mechanics, and

retailers, however, find it difficult to make ends meet(Peoples Gazette, 2022). Moreover, social

media comments can evoke emotional responses, influence social norms, and foster peer

pressure, which may further impact young adults' decision-making processes regarding

emigration (Vilhelmson & Thulin2013). Additionally, the rapid spread and virality of social

media comments can amplify their influence, creating a network effect that shapes the collective

mindset of young adults considering emigration.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The recent phenomenon of emigrationamong young adults in Nigeria has been a growing

concern in recent years. The continuous prominence of social media platforms has provided a

new avenue for internets users to express their opinions and engage in discussions. According to

Olawale (2021), t is believe that social media comments can to a large extent influence the

decision-making process of young adults regarding migration. Despite the occurrence of this

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issue, there is a lack of comprehensive research examining the relationship between social media

comments and the migration syndrome among young adults in Nigeria.

In line with the above, thisstudy seeks to investigate the correlation between social media

comments and continuous the migration syndrome among young adults in Nigeria. Specifically,

this study explores the types of comments prevalent on social media platforms related to

migration, analyze theimpact of the comments on young adults' attitudes towards migration, and

to also understand the factors contributing to the influence of social media comments on

migration decisions among Nigerian youths.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

i. To examine the patterns and types of social media comments related to emigration among

young adults in Nigeria.

ii. To examine the extent at which the respondents are exposed to social media platforms

iii. To assess the influence of social media comments on young adults' attitudes,

perceptions, and intentions regarding Japa culture.

iv. To identify the emotional responses evoked by social media comments and their impact

on young adults' decision-making processes regarding emigration.

1.4 Research Questions

i. What social media platform do young adults in Nigeria use the most?

ii. How frequent do young adults use their preferred social media platform?

iii. To what extent are young adultsinfluenced by japa comments they come across on social

media?

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 iv. To what extent do social media comments contribute to the decision-making process of

young adults considering emigration in Nigeria?

1.5 Scope of the Study

This research is projected to be carried out within duration of 4 months. The scope of this study

focuses on the influence of social media comments on the emigration syndrome among young

adults in Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State. The study will primarily examine the

relationship between social media comments and the decision-making process of young adults

regarding emigration. It aims to investigate the impact of different types of social media

comments on young adults' attitudes, perceptions, and intentions related to migration.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study are useful to the academia, Government, public relations practitioners,

policy makers and to the general public. For academia, this study can serve as a work of

reference particularly for those who would want to also carry out research in any related work in

the future. This work will also help Government to understand the factors that have contributed

to the growing migration on young Nigerians and possible solutions. It is believed that this work

would highlight some of the problems young Nigerians face leading to the Japa trend, it is

believed that Public Relations practitioners will from this study see the problems and come up

with campaigns to best address the problems to avoid the continuous migration. In conclusion,

the study will serve as a reference material for students who may desire to carry out similar

study.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

One major limitation of this study was the problem of lack of interest shown by some of the

respondents in some of the streets to agree to fill in the instrument. In the same vein, the time
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taken to persuade some of the respondents towards substantial response affected the research

work as it resulted in dragging and slowing down the pace of the study, thus making the study to

take more time necessary. Finally, time constrain was another limitation which the researcher

encountered during the course of the study as the available time was not enough for the study.

1.8 Definition of Terms

BUZZWORD: A word or phrase, often an item of jargon, that is fashionable at a particular time

or in a particular context.

COINAGE:A new word or phrase that was created and other people begin to use.

Migration: migration is the relocation or process of people leaving one country to reside in

another.

JAPA: This is a term used to describe the burning desire to flee the country (Nigeria) for good,

irrespective of the cost or consequences.

SYNDROME:A set of concurrent things (such as emotions or actions) that usually form an

identifiable pattern.

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 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is defined as the set of interactive Internet applications that facilitate (collaborative

or individual) creation, curation, and sharing of user-generatedcontent. Examples of social media

platforms are numerous and varied, they include Facebook, Friendster, Wikipedia, dating sites,

Craigslist, recipe sharing sites, YouTube, and Instagram among others. Another widely accepted

definition of social media includes "Internet-based applications built on Web 2.0, while Web 2.0

refers to a concept as well as a platform for harnessing collective intelligence" (Huang &

Benyoucef, 2013). Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn provide

consumers ubiquitous network connectedness (Asur & Huberman, 2010). The phrase "Web 2.0"

refers to a collection of technologies and philosophies that enable and drive the development of

media-rich content on the internet (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010). Web 2.0 is based on the open-

source idea, in which people freely interact using free technologies and share their work and

information with one another. Web 2.0 technological advancements and open ideology aided the

growth of User Generated Content (UGC).As an Information System, social media is built upon

a set of (available) Internet, communication and computing technologies, as well as a set of

ideological beliefs about how information should be created, accessed and distributed as shown

in Fig 2.1.

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Fig 2.1: social media Technologies & Ideologies. (Source: Kietzmann, Hermkens, McCarthy, &

Silvestre (2011)

Platform designs, structures, conventions, and user bases, in particular, frequently differ.

Scholars classify and name numerous subgroups of social media, with a particular emphasis on

social network sites, in their efforts to discern between different types of social media platforms.

Boyd and Ellison (2007) distinguish social network sites from social networking sites. They

contend that social networking entails meeting new people and forming new connections, which

contradicts real user behaviors. Users of social networking sites, in particular, prefer to

communicate with current social relationships rather than make new ones. Facebook, Myspace,

YouTube, and WhatsApp are some examples of social networking platforms.

A second subcategory of social media consists of microblogging sites. This category allows users

to distribute short messages to the targeted audience, often through links and images.Such sites

have explicit limits on the number of characters or amount of content allowedper message (Boyd

& Ellison, 2007). Twitter, the predominant microblogging site in the United States, andWeibo,

China’s suite of microblogging sites, limit each message to 140 characters. Vine,Twitter’s video

application, limits clips to 6 seconds.

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2.1.1 Social Media Functionalities

One method for identifying "social media" is to characterize the functionality of a certain

platform and application in terms of fundamental "social" features. (Kietzmann et al., 2011)

defined seven social media functional building elements that are present to varying degrees in all

social media application and may be substituted and enhanced through the integration of multiple

apps(Figure 2.2).

Fig 2.2: Functional Building Blocks of social media. Source: (Kietzmann et al., 2011)

The depiction of the user in the virtual world is referred to as identity. It might be as detailed and

personal as a Facebook page, detailing birthdays, interests, family ties, and so on, or as obscure

as a fictitious alias.

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Conversations enables people to connect with one another in a broadcast or dialogue format,

either in real time or asynchronously with time lag between utterances.

Sharing refers to acts that propagate (and maybe improve) existing material throughout the social

graph. Thus, social connections may not need to be made explicit; for example, openly sharing

on Facebook or tweeting on Twitter does not rely on pre-existing connections; on the contrary,

on Twitter, "sharing" frequently predates relationships (expressed through "following").

Presence allows users to know where other community members are (on/off-line and

actual/virtual location). Groups refers both to membership groups where users can articulate their

affiliations with, or interest in, a specific subject and groups utilized by users to manage their

relationships. Reputation allows users to qualify the content provided by another user and

establish trust-levels between community members. These trust-levels can be made explicit, for

example through a scoring or ranking system (LinkedIn “influencer” status, Stack Overflow

points system), or remain implicit (Twitter number of followers). Many of the platforms provide

users with the ability to integrate other applications. Through the integration of two or more

platforms the building blocks, the affordances of one system can be greatly enhanced, but also

jeopardised. For example, by enabling the integration of Twitter and Facebook whereby a

“tweet” also appears in the personal thread in Facebook, the “identity” of a (fairly anonymous)

Twitter-account becomes much more personal on Facebook. Vice versa, a Facebook post, visible

inside that platform only, could reach much wider (unintended) audiences when simultaneously

(and automatically) posted on Twitter.

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2.1.2 Social Media Platforms

Social media comments can be generated or found on various social media platforms that

provide a medium to share experiences and opinions. Listed below are the main social media

platforms where comments about emigration can be found.

1. Twitter: Twitter is a microblogging platform that allows users to share short messages or

"tweets" of up to 280 characters. It is known for its real-time nature, enabling users to

follow accounts, engage in conversations through replies and mentions, and share and

retweet content. Hashtags are commonly used on Twitter to categorize and discover

tweets related to specific topics.

2. Facebook: Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms globally, with billions of

users. It offers a wide range of features, including personal profiles, news feeds, photo

and video sharing, and the ability to connect with friends, join groups, and like and

comment on posts.

3. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform designed for career

development and business connections. It allows users to create professional profiles,

build a network of connections, share industry-related content, and engage in professional

discussions. LinkedIn is often used for job searching, recruitment, and business

networking.

4. YouTube: YouTube is a video-sharing platform that allows users to upload, view, and

share videos. It hosts a vast range of content, including music videos, tutorials, vlogs, and

documentaries. Users can subscribe to channels, like and comment on videos, and create

their own playlists. YouTube also offers monetization options for content creators.

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 5. TikTok: TikTok is a short-form video platform where users can create and share 15 to 60-

second videos. It has gained immense popularity for its creative and entertaining content,

including lip-syncing, dances, comedy skits, and challenges. TikTok's algorithm

recommends personalized content based on users' interests and engagement.

6. Instagram: Instagram is a visual-centric platform primarily focused on photo and video

sharing. It allows users to post and edit photos and videos, apply filters, add captions and

hashtags, and engage with content through likes, comments, and direct messages.

Instagram Stories and IGTV are additional features that enable users to share temporary

or long-form video content.

2.2 Japa Syndrome

Japa syndrome is a trend a well as phenomenon in which young individuals leaving the country

through unauthorized or informal means, often in search of better economic opportunities,

education, or improved living conditions in other countries. It can also be referred to as irregular

emigration. It is a complex issue with multifaceted causes, impacts, and implications for both the

individuals involved and the country as a whole.

Migration, either domestic, intra-continental or international migration has become a flashpoint

in global international relations discourses. This is understandable. Given the increasing inter-

connected nature of the globe, human mobility has been on the increase (Olawale,

2021).Furthermore, migration is a reaction to a crisis that has economic, political and socio-

cultural dimensions by persons, either individually or as a group to enable them to survive the

situation. Advanced economies of the world are the main targets of international migrants (Duru,

2021). In the views of Rohrmoser & Wachter (2008), the flows of migration in the globe today

were influenced by colonial bonds between Europeans and Africans. Also, a high rate of

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unemployment, lack of social amenities, poverty, economic crisis, political instability, insecurity,

poor wages and other unfavourable conditions account for external migration in most economies

in the universe. Because of the failure of the Nigerian labour market to provide jobs for youths,

they are left with no option than to migrate. External migration has implications with economic,

socio-cultural and political dimensions for economies of the developing and developed

world(Duru, 2021).

Migration is not a new occurrence, but it has continued to emerge in dynamics. Given the

volume of population movements across national, regional, and continental borders, the twenty-

first century has been dubbed the "Age of Migrations." Migration is defined by the United

Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as a process induced by economic and

social mobility in terms of labor migration induced by higher wage level, family and livelihood

migration, and unpleasant circumstances such as fleeing war, political and religious persecution

(Olawale, 2021). Migration can alternatively be classified as voluntary or involuntary. Most

people associate voluntary migration with displacements or moves in quest of economic

opportunities. Forced migration, on the other hand, is linked to some form of threat or fear that

culminates in movement(Castles, 2009).

The phrase “giant of Africa” is associated with Nigeria due to its large population—which

constitutes one-sixth of the continent’s total, and also because of its geopolitical significance and

the size of its economy. However, bad economic trends, coupled with other variables such as

political instability and rising waves of conflict, have led to an increasing number of youths in

certain categories leaving Nigeria for other countries perceived to hold greater promise

(Ikuteyijo, 2020).

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2.2.1 Migration among Young Adults

Like several other social science concepts, youth has been defined based on numerical figures.

For instance, Nugent defines youth as all the people between ages 10 and 24. This covers a wide

range of experiences and transitions that include an early phase (between ages 10 and 14), a

middle phase (between 15 and 20), and a later phase (between 21 and 24). However, the present

study defines a Nigerian youth from the numerical age of eighteen (18) as stated in the 1999

constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Youth are the creators and destroyers of any society. They have a sizable workforce, both skilled

and unskilled. As Chukuezi (2009) correctly observes, the role of youth in society is two-

dimensional. One, if properly managed, mobilized, and fully incorporated into the social fabric

of the nation, youth can serve as a wellspring of energy and vitality for any national effort or

campaign. Two, if they are allowed to drift, are unemployed, undisciplined, and morally

bankrupt, they may pose a threat to national existence and stability (Chukuezi, 2009). The

instance of Nigerian youth migration falls within the second category. While many young people

have become social liabilities and deviants as a result of their involvement in insecurity issues

such as militancy in the Niger Delta, insurgency in the north, kidnapping, herdsmen menace,

armed robbery, and cultism, others have fled to the global north in search of greener pastures.

Individuals move because they believe it would improve their life or the lives of their family.

Economic migration is motivated by the knowledge (or belief) that greater economic possibilities

exist in another location. As a result, if there is significant regional and local economic

inequality, people are more inclined to migrate if it is possible for them to do so. Poverty, lack of

economic opportunity, land scarcity, and low living standards at home are push causes, whereas

prosperity, opportunity, available employment, and higher living standards at the destination

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region are pull factors. Individual migration decisions include a process of considering

prospective costs and advantages (Todaro, 1997).

2.2.2 Causesof Irregular Emigration among Young Adults

i. Economic Factors: Limited job opportunities, high unemployment rates, and economic

instability in Nigeria can push young people to seek better economic prospects elsewhere.

ii. Education: Limited access to quality education and educational opportunities can drive

young individuals to pursue education in countries with better educational systems.

iii. Conflict and Insecurity: The prevalence of conflict, violence, and insecurity in certain

regions of Nigeria may push young people to seek safety and stability in other countries.

iv. Political Factors: Political instability, corruption, and governance challenges can

contribute to a lack of trust in the system, prompting young individuals to seek better

political environments abroad.

v. Social Networks: The influence of friends, family members, or social networks who have

successfully migrated irregularly can encourage and facilitate the decision to migrate.

2.2.3 Impacts of Irregular Migration:

i. Humanitarian Challenges: Irregular migration exposes young individuals to various risks

such as human trafficking, exploitation, abuse, and dangerous travel conditions.

ii. Brain Drain: The loss of young, educated individuals through irregular migration can

have negative consequences for Nigeria's development and workforce, as the country

loses valuable human capital.

iii. Social and Cultural Disruption: The absence of young individuals from their communities

can disrupt social structures, family dynamics, and cultural traditions.

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 iv. Economic Loss: The departure of young individuals through irregular migration can

result in a loss of skills, productivity, and contributions to the Nigerian economy.

2.3 Empirical Review

Weda (2012) used the qualitative research approach to investigate the factors affecting the

migration of teachers from Zimbabwe to South Africa. The study used documented information

from prevailing literature, 13 Zimbabwean teachers that have been living in South Africa from

one year to five years and a grounded theory. The collection of data was in two phases: in phase

one, the participants were requested to deliver verbally or put in writing their migration

experiences in South Africa. In phase two, they were interviewed to explain the issues solicited

in phase one. The grounded theory of teachers’ migration was generated after three stages of

coding employed in data analysis. These are the initial, intermediate and advanced stages. The

findings showed that the emigration of teachers from Zimbabwe to South Africa was based on

teachers attaining and maintaining the best or an ideal living standard, conditions of work and

social prestige. Asemah, Okpanachi, & Edegoh (2013) published a study in which they examined

the influence of social media on the academic performance of the undergraduate students of Kogi

State University. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential impact of students'

exposure to social media on their academic performance. For data collection, this study

employed a survey research method and relied on a questionnaire as its main instrument. The

research was specifically focused on undergraduate students, with the sample selection process

involving the use of purposive sampling to select mass communication undergraduate students.

Additionally, a simple random sampling technique was employed to choose a sample size of 282

students for the study. The results indicated that undergraduate students from Kogi State

University in Anyigba, Nigeria have widespread access to social media and their exposure to it is

16
extensive. Furthermore, the findings suggest that this exposure to social media has a negative

impact on the students. Asemah et al. (2013) concludes that exposure to social media by the

undergraduate students of Kogi State University has negative effect on their academic

performance. This study shows that social can actually influence the decisions or perceptions of

young adults.

In Nigeria, Ajaero and Onokala (2013) in related literature examined the relationship between

rural-urban migration and the rural communities of South-Eastern Nigeria. Based on the size of

the population and spatial equity, six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the rural areas were

chosen from two states of South-Eastern Nigeria. These states were Imo and Abia States. The

LGAs were Ikwuano in Abia State, Isikwuato in Abia State, Ukwa East in Abia State, Nkwerre

in Imo State, Onuimo in Imo State and Owerri West in Imo State. Fifty households that send

migrants were sampled from each of the six LGAs in the rural areas. Relying on public opinion

and focus group data obtained in West Africa through a descriptive research design, Kirwin and

Anderson (2018) investigated the factors that cause West Africans to migrate. Also, the study

directed attention to Nigeria, the country of origin for twenty-five per cent of all migrants from

Africa travelling through the Central Mediterranean route. Respondents were drawn from six

West African countries of Burkina Faso, Cote d' Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.

Economic factors were identified as the rationale for migration. However, family and patriotism

were observed as reasons for respondents to desire to remain in their own countries. Evidence

from the survey revealed that 50 per cent, 27 per cent and 27 per cent of Nigerians, Ivoirians and

Senegalese respectively were interested in departing their countries of origin if given the

opportunity. However, the number of Malians and Burkinabe that were also interested in

emigrating if given the opportunity were less compared to Nigerians, Ivoirians and Senegalese.

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Furthermore, the findings showed that the class ofNigerians that were very likely to travel abroad

are the urban and highly educated ones. From the role of religion in migration, Nigerian Muslims

are less expected to desire to migrate abroad. In addition, the economic position did not exert a

meaningful influence on the desire of Nigerians to migrate. Instead, the views of individuals on

the strength of democracy in Nigeria are very strongly related to the desire of Nigerians to

migrate abroad, followed by inadequate trust in indigenous security.

Ikuteyijo et al. (2020) published a study titled “Irregular Migration as Survival Strategy:

Narratives from Youth in Urban Nigeria”. This studyattempted to make sense of the phenomenon

of irregular migration in terms of meanings that actors, in this case youths, bring to it. Variety of

data were collected using personal experience, life history, and interviews. The study was carried

out in four major cities in Nigeria: Lagos, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, and Benin City. There was a total of 63

participants with age range of 19-39 years. Results showed that most young adults are

conditioned to believe that life is better abroad and will therefore do anything to get there.

Respondents also claimed that they had the support of their families and communities on social

media. This study proves that the Japa syndrome is actually a recurring issue in the country

Nigeria and that social may serve as a motivation to emigrate.

Olawale (2021) used secondary sources of data drawn from migration studies in form of books,

peer-reviewed journals, and internet sources. The main purpose of this study was to contribute to

debates about the interconnection between social media and migration. The motivation for the

study was a trend on social media that containeda mixture of pictures of African migrants

especially youth showing off their status in Africa and their upward social mobility in the West.

The researchers also made some interviews on the influence of social media on migration

decision making to complement the study. The respondents reported various information on how

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social media influences migration decision making among youths.Thisstudy showed that social

media influences the migration decision-making process through inspiration, screening and

sorting, operational and emotional preparation, and post-processing. The findings also showed

that in-migration decision making among Nigerian youth, social media such as Twitter,

Instagram and Facebook play an indispensable role. Although the study was limited to twitter

comments and small interviews, this supports the hypothesis that social media indeed play a role

in migration.

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 CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

This research will employ a quantitative research approach using survey method for data

collection and analysis.This approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the research

phenomenon.

3.2 Population of the Study

The population of the study will be young adults in Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State,

Nigeria. This will feature undergraduate students, postgraduate students, In-school vendors and

some non-teaching staffs. This population was chosen because the undergraduate students are

more likely to emigrate out of the country. People in this location also have access to resources

and information that may influence their stand on emigration (Japa).

3.3 Sample size and procedure

Random sampling will be employed to select a larger sample of young adults in Redeemers

University. The sample size for this study will be 200 respondents. There are 8 faculties in the

university, there will be at least 20 respondents from each faculty. A minimum of 10 respondents

will be sourced from postgraduates and another 20 from the university’s staff school and other

workers on campus.

3.4 Data Collection Procedure and Instrument

A survey questionnaire will be developed to collect quantitative data on respondents' exposure to

social media comments, attitudes toward emigration, and demographic information. The

questionnaire will include Likert-scale items, multiple-choice questions, and ranking exercises.

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3.5 Validity and Reliability

This research instrument (questionnaire) adopted was adequately checked and validated by the

supervisor. Contributions and corrections from the supervisor will be included into the final draft

of the research instrument used.

3.6 Method of Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of evaluating data using analytical and logical reasoning to examine

the data produced (Asemah et al. 2013). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) will

be used to analyze the quantitative data, and results are presented in charts and tables.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

ANALYSIS, RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

This study examines the influence of social media comments on Japa syndrome among young

adults. The study was limited to young adults in Redeemers University, Ede. A total of 200

questionnaires were administered to the respondents. However, one hundred and eighty-seven

(187) questionnaires were found useful. This implies 93.5 % of the questionnaires were verified

to be sufficient for analysis.

4.1 Demographics

Gender

Table 4.1 presents the distribution of young adults based on gender, revealing that a

slightmajority (52.4%) of the respondents were female, whereas the remaining (47.6%) were

male. This gender disparity may be attributed to the fact that there are more female students in

the research location.

Table 4.1: Distribution of Respondents

Gender Frequency Percentage

Female 98 52.4%

Male 89 47.6%

Age

Among the respondents, the age distribution was as follows: 32.1% were in the age range of 15-

18, 45.0% fell within the age range of 19-24, 17.6% belonged to the age range of 25-30, and

22
22.634% were 31 years and above. These percentages highlight the varying representation of

different age groups present in Redeemers University. Figure 4.1 displays a bar chat showing the

age distribution of respondents.

Figure 4.1: Age distribution of Respondents

Education Level

Figure 4.2 shows the respondents’ education level. The results indicate that most of the

respondents are undergraduate students with 59%.

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Figure 4.2: Education Level of Respondents

4.2 Social Media Usage:

Based on the results, TikTok is the most used social media platform in the research location.

Figure 4.3 shows the distribution of social media platforms according to respondents. YouTube

comes second with 72 selections while Instagram is third with 65 selections. Table 4.2 shows that

Figure 4.3: Usage of Social Media Platforms

a good number of young adults spend a lot of time on social media. This indicates that

respondents use and will definitely see contents which may influence their perceptions on

different subjects.

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Table 4.2: Distribution of Hours spent on social media

Time Category Frequency Percentage

Less than 1 hour 15 8.0%

1-2 hours 53 28.3%

2-4 hours 39 20.9%

More than 4 hours 80 42.8%

4.3 Patterns and Types of Social Media Comments

Figure 4.4 shows a bar chart of the respondents’ answer to whether if they have encountered

social media comments related to emigration (Japa). 161 respondents attested to the fact that they

at one point encountered social media comment regarding emigration. 26 respondents verified

that they did not. This proves for a fact that there are contents or comments on social media

related to emigration. These contents may come in form of short videos, tweets, memes etc.,

depending on the social media platform.

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Figure 4.4: Respondents encounterwith social media comments

4.4 Influence of Social Media Comments

The survey included questions to gauge respondents’ perception of Japa syndrome (emigration)

in light of the advent of social media. Participants were asked to rate their agreement or

disagreement with the statement on a Likert scale, ranging from Strongly to Unsure. Below is the

distribution of the responses:

 Strongly: 38 respondents

 Moderately: 48 respondents

 Slightly: 31 respondents

 Do not influence: 42 respondents

 Unsure: 28 respondents

Respondents were also asked to confirm if social media had ever influenced their intentions or

decisions regarding moving out of the country permanently? Figure 4.5 shows the distribution of

the respondent’s answers.

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Figure 4.5: Respondent’s answers to Permanent Emigration

Figure 4.5 shows that social media comments related to emigration can indeed alter the

respondents’ perception of the subject. 51.9% of the respondents confirmed that comments on

social media influenced their intention to migrate permanently out of the country. 48.1% of the

respondents also confirmed that the said comments did not fuel their intention to migrate

permanently.

4.5 Emotional Responses and Decision-Making Processes

This section of the survey was designed to determine the emotional responses triggered by social

media comments related to emigration. The following options were added to verify their

emotions:

 Interested: 33 respondents

 Curious: 26 respondents

 Anxious: 27 respondents

 Excited: 41 respondents

 Indifferent: 38 respondents

 Confused: 14 respondents

 Worried: 8 respondents

Figure 4.6 shows the scattered chart of the emotions expressed by respondents when they encountered

social media comments related to emigration (Japa).

27
Figure 4.6:Distribution of emotions

There was also a question whether if the emotions experienced influenced the respondents’

decisions towards emigration (Japa). The questions were rated with a Likert scale ranging from

Yes, significantly to No, not at all. Table 4.3 shows the distribution of the responses.

 Yes, significantly: 78 respondents

 Yes, to some extent: 89 respondents

 No, not at all: 20 respondents

Table 4.4: Influence of emotions on decision making

Responses Frequency Percentage

Yes, significantly 78 41.7%

Yes, to some extent 89 47.6%

No, not at all 20 10.7%

28
Respondents also rated the credibility of the contents or comments they find on social media.

The question was also rated on the Likert scale ranging from Very credible to Unsure. The

distribution of the responses is illustrated in figure 4.7.

Figure 4.7: Credibility of social media comments related to emigration

This data shows that even though there are comments or contents related to emigration on social

media, respondents do entirely believe these comments. 23.5% of the respondents found these

comments to be very credible, 28.9% found it to be moderately credible, 18.2% found the

comments to be slightly credible. 14.4% found the comments to be Not credible at all while 15%

of the respondents were unsure.

4.6 Discussion of Findings.

The findings of this study are aimed at examining social media comments and its influence on

japa syndrome among the young adults in Nigeria. The study also provides answers to the

research questions earlier raised in the study.

29
Research Question One: What social media platform do young adults in Nigeria use the

most?This research question was answered using data generated from Items 4 of the instrument

(questionnaire). The data was presented and analyzed in Figures 4. The research question sought

to know the extent at which the respondents are exposed to social media and to gauge their usage

of the new media. The data analyzed to answer this research question shows that majority of the

respondents use social media platforms but majority of them are more exposed toTikTokthan

other Social media platforms listed in this study. Thus, it can be concluded that the respondents

are exposed to social media and its contents particularly comments.

Research Question Two: How frequent do young adults use their preferred social media

platform?

This research question was answered using data generated from Items 5 of the instrument

(questionnaire). The data was presented and analyzed in Figures 4. Findings revealedthat a good

number of young adults spend a lot of time on social media. This indicates that respondents use

and will definitely see contents which may influence their perceptions on different subjects.Thus,

it can be concluded that the respondentsare exposed to social media and comments on the new

media influence them on the Japa syndrome.

Research Question Three: To what extent are young adults influenced by japa comments

they come across on social media?

This research question was answered using data generated from Items 6-11of the instrument

(questionnaire). These data were presented and analysed in the Figures 4.4-4.6. The research

question sought to know the extent at which respondents are influenced by what they read on

migration on the new media. The data analyzed to answer this research question shows that

30
majority of the respondents are exposed to contents or comments on social media related to

migration. These contents may come in form of short videos, tweets, memes etc., depending on

the social media platform. The findings also revealed that to a large extent, the respondents are

influenced by what they read or saw on the new media about migration.

Research Question four: To what extent do social media comments contribute to the

decision-making process of young adults considering emigration in Nigeria?

This research question was answered using data generated from Items 12-14 of the instrument

(questionnaire). These data were presented and analysed in the Figures 4.6-4.7 and table 4.4. The

research question sought to know the extent at which respondents reach decision whether or not

to migrate after reading comments on social media. The data analyzed to answer this research

question shows that majority of the respondents (28.9%) found comments on the japa syndrome

to be moderately credible. Thus it can be concluded that the respondents to some extent found

credible about the comments on the japa syndrome and might likely make a decision based on

the information they believe is credible.

31
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Summary

This study examined social media and its influence on Japa (Emigration) syndrome among

young adults in Nigeria. The study is anchored on the premise that comments on social media

can influence the perceptions of young adults on emigration (Japa).

The research survey design was adopted to determine young adults’ perception of social media

comments and the possible influence it may have on the recent rise in Japa (Emigration)

syndrome. A total of two hundred (200) respondents were administered to respondents in

Redeemers University, Ede. However, only one hundred and eighty-seven (187) were found

useful and analyzed.

The distribution of respondents based on gender reveals a slight majority of females (52.4%) and

males (47.6%) in the research location. Age distribution among respondents shows varying

representation across different age ranges, reflecting the different stages of education. Due to the

research location, it is not a surprise that the majority of the respondents were undergraduates

(59%), 29% were postgraduates while 16% were in the secondary school level.

Regarding social media, this study shows that young adults readily use social media for various

purposes. Based on the findings, TikTok is the most used social media platform in the research

location. YouTube comes second while Instagram in third. Findings also revealed that

respondents encounter contents or comments related to Japa (Emigration) on social media.

Regarding the influence of social media comments, 51.9% of the respondents confirmed that

comments on related to emigration have indeed influenced their decision to move out of the

32
country permanently. The results also showed that social media comments related to emigration

can trigger emotions in the respondents.

5.1 Conclusion

The findings suggest that social media has a significant influence on Japa syndrome

amongyoung adults in Nigeria. A good number of respondents believe that social media has

indeed influenced their perception of emigration by showing them the benefits and ‘soft life’ of

moving out of the country. However, there is a proportion of respondents that are not fazed by

the comments on social media regarding emigration (Japa).

Although there are other factors that fuel the recent Japa Syndrome among young adults in

Nigeria, social media has played an important role in fueling the narrative. It is also important to

note that emigration is not entirely a bad phenomenon, but the excessive emigration of young

adults can adversely affect the country’s economy.

5.3 Recommendation

Based on the findings of the study examining social media and its influence among young adults

in Nigeria, the following recommendations can be made:

i. Educational programs: Create and put into action educational programs aimed at

educating young adults about the potential impact of comments they read on social media

on their opinions and choices regarding the Japa Syndrome. These initiatives might

emphasize on digital literacy, critical thinking, and responsible social media use.

ii. Social Media Guidelines: Work with social media sites and important stakeholders to

create and implement rules that address inappropriate or misleading comments on Japa

33
 Syndrome. This may entail taking action to identify or delete content that spreads false

information or promotes irregular migration.

iii. Peer Education and Mentorship Programs: Develop peer education and mentoring

initiatives that invite young adults with firsthand knowledge of the Japa Syndrome or

migration to share their experiences and thoughts. These programs can offer a venue for

fruitful debate, the dissemination of precise information, and mentoring to aid in the

making of well-informed decisions.

iv. Research-Based Interventions: Further research can be conducted to find the best

interventions and countermeasures to the Japa Syndrome-harming effects of social media

remarks. This may entail researching how empowering stories, role models, and social

media posts affect how young adults perceive and make decisions about migrating.

34
 APPENDIX ONE

QUESTIONNAIRE

Section 1: Demographic Information

1. Gender:

Male[ ]

Female[ ]

Other (please specify: __________)

2. Age:

15-18 { }

19-24 { }

25-30 { }

31 and above { }

3. Educational Level:

Secondary School [ ]

Undergraduate [ ]

Graduate/Postgraduate [ ]

Other (please specify: _____________________)

Social Media Usage:

4. Which social media platforms do you actively use? (Check all that apply)

35
Facebook [ ]

Instagram [ ]

Twitter [ ]

LinkedIn [ ]

YouTube [ ]

Snapchat [ ]

TikTok [ ]

Others (please specify: _______________________)

5. How frequently do you use social media on a daily basis?

Less than 1 hour [ ]

1-2 hours [ ]

2-4 hours [ ]

More than 4 hours [ ]

Section 2: Patterns and Types of Social Media Comments

6. Have you encountered social media comments or discussions related to emigration (Japa)

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

7. If yes, please specify the social media platforms where you have encountered such comments (Check

all that apply):

Facebook [ ]

36
Instagram [ ]

Twitter [ ]

LinkedIn [ ]

YouTube [ ]

Snapchat [ ]

TikTok [ ]

Others (please specify: _________________)

8. How frequently do you see social media comments related to emigration (Japa) ?

Very frequently [ ]

Frequently [ ]

Occasionally [ ]

Rarely [ ]

Never [ ]

Section 3: Influence of Social Media Comments

9. To what extent do social media comments influence your attitudes, perceptions, or opinions regarding

Japa (emigration)?

Strongly [ ]

Moderately [ ]

Slightly [ ]

Do not influence [ ]

37
Unsure [ ]

10. Have social media comments influenced your intentions or decisions regarding moving out of the

country permanently?

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

11. If yes, please provide examples of how social media comments have influenced your intentions or

decisions regarding emigration (Japa Syndrome).

________________________________________________________________________________

Section 4: Emotional Responses and Decision-Making Processes

12. How do social media comments related to emigration (Japa) make you feel? (Check all that apply)

Interested [ ]

Curious [ ]

Anxious [ ]

Excited [ ]

Indifferent [ ]

Confused [ ]

Worried [ ]

Other (please specify: ____________________________________________)

13. Do these emotions influence your decision-making process regarding emigration?

Yes, significantly [ ]

38
Yes, to some extent [ ]

No, not at all [ ]

14. In your opinion, how credible do you consider social media comments related to emigration?

Very credible [ ]

Moderately credible [ ]

Slightly credible [ ]

Not credible at all [ ]

Unsure [ ]

Section 5: Additional Comments

Please share any additional comments or experiences you have regarding social media comments and

their influence on emigration (Japa Syndrome) among young adults in Nigeria.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your time and opinions.

39
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