Rep. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), who was domiciled in the United Kingdom before becoming a lawmaker in Nigeria, introduced the motion during plenary.

The lawmaker argued that the emigration of young Nigerians to Japan, also known as the 'Japa' syndrome, should be declared a national emergency.

ALSO READ:  In the Benue House of Assembly, there was a ruckus over the election of the speaker.

Statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, according to Agbese, indicate that the increasing number of young Nigerians abandoning the country and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada poses a grave threat to the country on economic, intellectual, and social levels.

ALSO READ: Stop ruling Abia as emperor – The PDP accuses Otti of pursuing misguided policies

According to recent reports by the African Polling Institute, 69% of young people would relocate if given the opportunity.

As reported by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Agbese stated that the number of young Nigerians departing the country increased by 40% in 2019 compared to the number recorded in 2018.

ALSO READ: Betta Edu predicts that Nigerians will lobby for Tinubu's second term.

In addition, he stated that the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimated that international emigration from Nigeria would reach 1,7 million in 2020, a significant increase from 990,000 in 2010.

When the motion was put to a vote by the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, it was unanimously rejected.