Reverse Japa: Nigerian Doctor Narrates Reasons For Leaving Job In U.S. After 25 Years

A Nigerian medical practitioner, Julius Oni who is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery has narrated that he quit his job at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States out of conviction to return to Nigeria after 25 years of living overseas.

Oni disclosed this on Tiktok, narrating that he took a leave of absence six weeks ago before he returned, indicating that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria in what is popularly called ‘reverse japa’, which means moving back to Nigeria after relocating abroad.

Oni disclosed that he sold his properties including houses and cars, then returned back to Nigeria with his wife and children.

“I reverse JAPA from the US to Nigeria. Well…six weeks ago, I relocated from the US to Nigeria. I took a leave of absence from my job at John Hopkins, sold my house, sold my cars, packed my bags alongside my lovely wife and beautiful children, and moved after 25 years of living in the USA,” he said.

He further expressed his determination to offer Nigerian patients deserving top-notch healthcare system like those in the United States.

“I know at this point, some of you may call me delusional or even crazy but I am neither, I am just a man full of conviction. I happen to believe that Nigerian patients deserve great care too.

“As part of my mission, I have started DOC Medical Nigeria, which offers high-quality musculoskeletal care to the population, part of my effort is to provide access to care so that people do not have to travel to access high-quality orthopedic surgery care,” he said.

He also shared that he has worked with patients from different parts of the world since he started the initiative.

“I am humbled to say that people are coming from near and far, near as Ghana and as far as the UK. There are many patients that will otherwise have travelled but now have access to quality orthopedic quality surgery on the ground.”