By Oluwasore Alabi
In today’s Nigeria, the word “japa” has moved from street slang to national reality. Every day, more young Nigerians are looking for a way out, mainly through education abroad. But beyond gaining admission and paying tuition, one issue is becoming more important in this migration wave: the role of family.
With many students married or in serious relationships, countries that allow spouses and children to join and settle in comfortably are becoming more attractive. Recent changes to dependent visa policies in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK are shaping decisions in ways that may surprise some.
Canada, once considered the easiest route for families, now restricts spousal work permits to those in postgraduate or certain professional programmes. This change has shut out most undergraduate students from bringing their partners. Australia, on the other hand, remains one of the most open allowing spouses to work full-time if the student is in a research-based postgraduate programme.
This shift in policy reflects a broader truth: students don’t just migrate as individuals. They carry emotional, social, and financial responsibilities. Being able to have their spouses with them and more importantly, have those spouses work and contribute, is not just a matter of comfort but of survival.
The emotional toll of separation can affect academic performance. The financial stress of supporting a family from thousands of miles away can lead to burnout, depression, or worse. This is why countries like Germany and New Zealand are gaining popularity. They provide a more balanced system. One where families are welcomed, not sidelined.
The United States and the United Kingdom, while still top academic destinations, have narrowed their policies. In the U.S., spouses on F-2 visas cannot work. In the UK, only those in research-based postgraduate programmes can bring dependents. These restrictions, while understandable from a policy standpoint, create hardship for families already making huge sacrifices to pursue education.
This is where Nigeria’s policymakers must also pay attention. If so many of our brightest minds are leaving, then we must ask ourselves, “what are we doing to make home more attractive? Can we create study opportunities that don’t require splitting families? Can we offer more support for young couples trying to build a future?”
For students considering japa, it’s no longer just about school rankings or tuition fees. It’s about dignity, stability, and the right to grow together as a family. Countries that understand this are not just attracting students, they’re gaining lifelong residents.
As this new phase of the japa journey unfolds, one truth is clear: education migration is no longer a solo trip. It’s a family decision, and destination countries must treat it as such.
