UK-based Nigerian turns japa struggles into interactive game

A Nigerian woman living in the United Kingdom, Ayomide Omole, has created an interactive online game called Japa to shed light on the challenges faced by Nigerians who migrate abroad for better opportunities. The game tackles issues such as financial pressures, family expectations, loneliness, job difficulties, and scams that often plague young migrants, especially those moving to the UK.

Inspired by the gap between the glamorous portrayal of life abroad on social media and the reality many migrants face, Omole developed Japa. She explained, "Everyone back home thinks we've made it. Nobody talks about the rent, the money we send home, or the 2am calls where we say we're fine. I made Japa so people could finally see it, and feel less alone."

As Kemi, a young Nigerian woman with £500 and a student visa, players navigate their new environment, encountering family demands, financial obligations, job opportunities, and fraudulent messages. The game consists of five chapters, three side stories, and 37 possible endings, with players' decisions determining the story's outcome.

It is accessible without needing a download, allowing players to interact via a phone's web browser. Additionally, an open mode called Japa Life enables players to choose a city and manage expenses like rent, bills, employment, and family responsibilities on a monthly basis.

Omole, who moved to the UK from Nigeria in 2023 at 21 and now leads a care team in Bristol, drew inspiration from experiences shared by friends, colleagues, and other Nigerians living abroad. Her goal was to educate new migrants about financial scams, particularly those targeting individuals unfamiliar with local systems and institutions.

Beyond its social and educational aspects, Japa incorporates elements of Nigerian culture, including Afrobeats-inspired music, an original theme song, celebration of Detty December, and familiar Nigerian foods like crayfish.