Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has advised Nigerian youths to reconsider leaving the country for overseas opportunities.
In a recent interview with ARISE TV, he emphasized that Nigeria is a land of unforeseen possibilities and encouraged citizens to stay, citing the unique chances for success that can happen only in Nigeria.
“I have always discouraged those who want to leave the country, I say 9-5? Yes, you can always get 9-5 job when you leave the country, but you can never get the opportunity you get in Nigeria.
“You can just wake up one day and become a minister in Nigeria. You can just wake up one day, and you become a governor. It just happens, I don’t know how the country operates,” Amaechi said.
He highlighted the spontaneous nature of success in Nigeria, where one can wake up and become a minister or governor.
“If you’re looking for opportunities, please stay back in Nigeria. If you’re looking for 9-5, safety, and all that… honestly, the opportunities are here.”
Responding to concerns that such opportunities are limited, Amaechi challenged the assumption that success is only tied to public office.
He illustrated, “Just assume that you start cooking moi moi and you sell to one million Nigerians at one naira. How much is that? I think that’s about 10m naira.”
The former minister stressed that addressing the ‘japa’ phenomenon requires improving governance systems, pointing to the economy, insecurity, and job creation as government responsibilities.
He reminded Nigerians that they play a role in their destiny through voting, asserting, “Nigerians get what they want. Nigerians get what they deserve. You don’t complain after.”
