Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communications, says many Nigerians who "japa" are facing a tough reality overseas.
Speaking on The Morayo Show, Bwala claimed that many degree holders in the UK now work in care homes, warehouses, and other jobs that don't match their qualifications.
According to him, despite earning around £2,600–£2,800 per month, most of the money goes to rent, bills, transport, internet, and food, leaving little to save.
"At the end of the day, what you are left with is not much. So you are forced to do two or three jobs," he said.
Bwala argued that someone earning ₦60,000 in Nigeria may actually have a better quality of life because they can rely on family support and have lower living expenses.
He also defended President Tinubu's social intervention policies, highlighting the 50% subsidy on dialysis in federal hospitals and free cesarean sections in public hospitals, adding that the government plans to expand healthcare support as resources improve.