Lead pastor of Zoe Household Global, Dolapo Lawal, has cautioned Nigerians against relocating abroad based on unhealthy comparisons, unrealistic expectations, and material desire.

Speaking during a sermon on Sunday, Lawal condemned the obsession with “Japa,” the popular term for emigrating, and said covetousness drives many poor life choices in pursuit of greener pastures.

He described covetousness as one of the acts God detests and linked it to decisions that leave people stranded abroad.

According to him, many Nigerians sell property and abandon their lives at home for menial jobs overseas after being swayed by curated images on social media.

He questioned the logic of selling assets in Nigeria to take up care jobs in America, calling it poor thinking driven by envy.

Lawal said some people assume those posting pictures from the UK are financially stable, only to travel and find themselves stranded and unable to return due to shame.

He added that many abroad save for months just to fund short visits back to Nigeria.

He said, “It is covetousness that will make somebody sell their property in Nigeria and go to do a care job in America. Foolish thinking!”

“Because you are seeing people in the UK taking pictures, you think they are okay? Now you go there, you are stranded there, and you cannot come back because of shame. Meanwhile, you are coveting that life. They will save money for 10 months to come and spend here.” (The Nation, but headline rejigged)

Update news