Japa
🇳🇬
Nigeria
Added July 15, 2025
Add a definition for "Japa"
TOP DEFINITION
To flee or escape quickly
"Once he heard the sirens he japa from the scene"
From Yoruba meaning "to run/flee," japa now refers to the act of escaping abroad for better opportunities. It's driven by economic hardship – young Nigerians "japa" to find jobs or wealth overseas.
"The way sapa dey this country, everyone just wan japa go abroad. (Mixed, meaning "With the level of poverty here, everyone just wants to escape abroad.")"
A Yoruba word meaning 'to run away/escape', now popular for describing the act of leaving the country in search of better opportunities. Many youths say 'I wan japa' when they plan to relocate abroad to hustle.
"After university, almost all my guys japa go Canada for greener pastures. (Meaning: After university, almost all my friends left for Canada to seek better opportunities.)"
Means 'to run away/escape'. Now a trending slang for leaving the country or a bad situation in search of greener pastures
"Traffic don start, make we japa commot here. (Traffic has started, let's run away from here.)"
🇳🇬 More Nigeria Slang
Browse all Nigeria slang✍️ More from Khulekani Dladla
- Bolingo
- Metropolitan 🇸🇸
- Urban jungle 🇸🇸
- City life 🇸🇸
- Capital vibes 🇸🇸
