The Lead Pastor of Zoe Household Global, Dolapo Lawal, has stirred widespread reactions after criticising Nigerians who dispose of their assets at home to relocate overseas for caregiving jobs.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, the cleric described such decisions as misguided, arguing that selling valuable property in Nigeria to take up low-income roles in countries like the UK or the US reflects poor judgment and misplaced priorities.
Lawal attributed the trend to “covetousness,” which he said often drives people to chase unrealistic expectations of life abroad. According to him, this mindset leads many into making hasty and regrettable decisions in pursuit of better opportunities.
He also addressed the growing “Japa” wave — a popular term used in Nigeria to describe migration abroad — cautioning that not all who relocate achieve the financial success they anticipate. He noted that many individuals abandon stable lives and investments in Nigeria only to struggle overseas.
In his remarks, he questioned the assumption that relocation guarantees wealth, pointing out that only a few migrants attain significant financial success. He further stated that some people abroad portray a comfortable lifestyle online, which can be misleading.
Lawal urged Nigerians to reconsider drastic decisions driven by social pressure or appearances, stressing the importance of making informed and realistic choices about relocation and financial stability.