Japa: Why I returned to Nigeria after 25 years in US — Surgeon

A Nigerian associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, Dr Julius Oni, has relocated back to Nigeria after spending 25 years in the United States.

In a video that has since gone viral, Oni shared details about his decision, saying, “I reverse Japa from the U.S. to Nigeria 6 weeks ago,” referencing the popular Nigerian term ‘Japa,’ which means to flee or emigrate in search of better opportunities.

“I relocated from the U.S. to Nigeria. I took a leave of absence from my job at Johns 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 stated.

Oni, who took a leave of absence from his role at Johns Hopkins, returned to his home country with a mission to transform healthcare and provide quality orthopaedic care to Nigerians.

He acknowledged that many might find his decision baffling.

“I know at this point some of you may call me delusional or even crazy, but I’m neither. I’m just a man full of conviction,” he said.

Oni, who is also the CEO of a private equity firm, XCITE Capital, revealed that his return to Nigeria was driven by a deep belief that Nigerians deserve access to world-class healthcare.

“I happen to believe that Nigerian patients deserve great care too,” he stated.

As part of his mission, he has launched DOC Medical Nigeria, a facility focused on providing high-quality musculoskeletal care.

“Part of my effort is to provide access to care so that people do not have to travel to access high-quality orthopaedic surgery,” Oni explained.

According to him, his efforts are already yielding results.

“I am humbled to say that people are coming from near and far, from as near as Ghana and as far as the UK,” he said, adding that many patients who would have otherwise travelled abroad for surgery now have access to top-tier orthopaedic care within Nigeria.

In the video caption on his Instagram account, the doctor highlighted some of his recent accomplishments since opening DOC Medical Nigeria, including performing his first series of surgeries and holding free medical clinics in partnership with other organisations.

He also noted that he has consulted with patients outside Nigeria.