"Bring Them Back Home”: Why Keji Giwa Is Praying for Nigerians Abroad to Be Deported

In a moment that has sparked intense debate across social media, Nigerian billionaire businessman Keji Giwa has made a bold and for many, controversial statement about the growing wave of emigration popularly known as “Japa.”

Speaking on the TalkwithRuth podcast, Giwa didn’t hold back his frustrations. His words were raw, emotional, and reflective of a deeper issue affecting businesses across Nigeria: the steady loss of skilled talent to countries like the United Kingdom and Canada.

Giwa revealed that a significant number of his best employees have left Nigeria in search of better opportunities abroad. “A lot of my employees have Japa’d,” he said, describing a situation that many employers can relate to. But this wasn’t just about numbers it was about losing people he had invested time, effort, and resources into building.

Rather than accusing them of betrayal, he acknowledged their worth, admitting that many of those who left were among his strongest and most reliable workers. Still, the concern lingers after years of training top talent, what remains for businesses trying to survive and grow locally?

His frustration reflects a wider reality. As more Nigerians relocate, companies are left struggling with talent gaps, forcing them to rebuild teams from scratch or operate below full capacity. It’s a cycle that continues to challenge productivity and long-term sustainability.

Interestingly, Giwa pointed out that stricter immigration policies abroad may be unintentionally slowing this trend. According to him, tighter visa rules in countries like the UK and Canada have helped retain some talent that might otherwise have left.

Then came the statement that truly set the internet buzzing.

Giwa openly admitted that he prays for visa denials and even deportations so that skilled Nigerians can return home. “I’m praying to God that they deport them… I need these brains back in Nigeria,” he declared.

He went further to reference a system similar to ICE, suggesting that stronger enforcement abroad could ultimately benefit Nigeria by forcing professionals back into the local workforce. In a personal example, he shared how he once secretly hoped a former employee’s UK visa would be denied so he could bring her back into his company.

However, his comments took an even more controversial turn when the issue of salaries came up. When asked if he could afford to pay returning professionals competitive wages, his response was blunt: “The poor distribution of income puts me in a position where I can pay lower wages.”

That statement has since sparked heated reactions, with many questioning whether the very conditions he described are part of the reason people choose to leave in the first place.

Love it or hate it, Giwa’s remarks have struck a nerve. They shine a light on the ongoing tension between ambition and opportunity, between staying to build and leaving to survive.

As the “Japa” wave continues, one thing is certain Nigeria is being forced into an uncomfortable but necessary conversation about talent, value, and the future of its workforce.