Who Wants to 'Japa', why and where? Dataset on Migration Decisions of Nigerian Youth

This dataset presents data collected through two surveys: the first among staff and students of 3 universities in Osun State, Nigeria; and the second among intending and serving Corps members as well as those who recently concluded their NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) service year. The first survey was administered in July 2024, and the second one between November 2024 and October 2025. The surveys were collected with the use of online questionnaires. The questionnaires are similar, the second survey containing a few additional questions than the first survey. The cleaned and merged dataset contains 835 observations.

The surveys sought to understand migration aspirations and perspectives, as well as correlates of migration decisions among Nigerian youth. The surveys were also intended to determine the relationship between developmental idealism theory and migration within the context of the gripping novel intensity, urgency and desperation by which Nigerian youth move to other countries - a phenomenon that has come to be known colloquially as 'japa'. The dataset captures self-reported migration intentions and related socio-demographic, economic and attitudinal covariates among young Nigerians. Researchers studying migration decision-making, labour market aspirations, views about development of Nigeria in comparison with other countries, and the drivers of irregular and regular migration will find the data useful.

本数据集收录两项调研采集的全部数据：第一项调研的对象为尼日利亚奥孙州（Osun State）3所高校的教职工与学生；第二项调研的对象则为意向服役、正在服役以及近期完成尼日利亚国家青年服务团（NYSC, National Youth Service Corps）服役的人员。第一项调研于2024年7月开展，第二项调研的实施周期为2024年11月至2025年10月。两项调研均采用在线问卷的形式采集数据，问卷内容大体一致，仅第二项问卷较第一项增加了少量额外题目。经清洗与合并后的最终数据集共包含835条观测样本。

两项调研旨在探究尼日利亚青年的移民意愿与认知视角，以及移民决策的相关关联因素；同时亦试图厘清发展理想主义理论与移民行为之间的关联，结合当前尼日利亚青年以极具冲击力的激烈程度、迫切性与绝望感纷纷移居他国这一俗称“japa”的现象展开分析。本数据集收录了尼日利亚青年自述的移民意愿，以及与之相关的社会人口学、经济与态度层面的协变量。本数据集可为研究移民决策逻辑、劳动力市场意愿、尼日利亚与他国发展对比的看法，以及非常规与常规移民驱动因素的科研人员提供数据支撑。