UK-based Nigerian turns japa struggles into interactive game

A Nigerian woman living in the United Kingdom, Ayomide Omole, has created an online game called Japa to shed light on the obstacles Nigerians face when seeking better opportunities abroad. The game delves into topics such as financial burdens, family expectations, loneliness, employment struggles, and scams that many migrants encounter, especially young individuals moving to the UK.

Omole was motivated by the discrepancy between the glamorous perception of life abroad on social media and the real-life challenges faced by migrants. She stated, "Everyone back home thinks we’ve made it. Nobody discusses the rent, the money we send home, or those 2am calls when we claim to be fine. I developed Japa so people could finally understand it and feel less isolated."

The game enables players to assume the role of Kemi, a young Nigerian woman who arrives in Manchester with £500 and a student visa. In her journey, players face scenarios involving family expectations, financial commitments, job prospects, and fraudulent messages. Omole's game includes five chapters, three side stories, and 37 possible outcomes, determined by players' choices.

It does not require downloading and can be accessed via a phone's web browser. An open mode called Japa Life allows players to decide on a city and manage expenses like rent, bills, employment, and family responsibilities monthly. Inspired by the experiences of friends, colleagues, and other Nigerians living abroad, Omole also aimed to educate new migrants about financial scams targeting those unfamiliar with the systems and institutions in their host countries.

In addition to its social and educational aspects, Japa incorporates elements of Nigerian culture and the migrant experience, such as Afrobeats-inspired music, an original theme song, community celebrations like Detty December, and familiar Nigerian food items like crayfish.