A Nigerian cleric and lead pastor of Zoe Household Global, Dolapo Lawal, has advised Nigerians against selling their assets in pursuit of relocation abroad, popularly known as “Japa,” warning that many people are being driven by unrealistic expectations and social comparison.
The pastor gave the advice during a Sunday sermon, where he cautioned his congregation against making life-changing decisions based on what they see on social media or perceived success stories from abroad.
“Don’t sell your property in Nigeria and go abroad because you want to Japa,” he said. “A lot of people are driven by covetousness and what they see online, but reality is different when they get there.”
He described covetousness as one of the attitudes that lead people into poor decisions, stressing that the desire to imitate others’ lifestyles often results in regret.
According to him, many Nigerians who relocate in search of greener pastures later struggle with unexpected challenges and financial difficulties.
“Because you see people posting pictures from the UK or America, you think everything is fine. But many of them are just managing. Some even save money for months just to come back home and spend it,” he added.
The cleric questioned the assumption that relocation automatically guarantees wealth or success abroad, urging Nigerians to focus on building sustainable lives where they are.
“How many people have gone abroad and become billionaires there? People just think ‘Japa’ is ownership of a better life, but that is not always true,” he said.
Pastor Lawal further encouraged Nigerians to re-evaluate their motivations for relocating, warning that shame and unmet expectations often prevent some migrants from returning home even when they struggle abroad.
The sermon has since generated reactions online, as discussions around migration, economic hardship, and the “Japa” trend continue to dominate public discourse in Nigeria.
“It is covetousness that will make somebody sell their property in Nigeria and go and be doing care job in America.”
– Pastor Dolapo Lawal pic.twitter.com/XO2evhwXkw
— DON “Tobechukwu” Ade 👑 (@Row_Haastrup) May 3, 2026