In Jàpá: An Odyssey, Kemi Chapman weaves a sweeping, vivid tapestry of stories about Nigerians who choose to flee—or are forced to flee—their homeland in search of opportunity, safety, or something more intangible: freedom.
Told through a collection of gripping and emotionally charged chapters, this book explores the many faces of the "jàpá" movement. From Lagos to Bradford, from the Mediterranean Sea to the deserts of Agadez, from ICE detention in the U.S. to golden visas in Europe, these characters confront racism, gender-based violence, ambition, heartbreak, and survival.
With each chapter inspired by the voices and literary styles of great African writers—Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Biyi Bandele, and more—Jàpá: An Odyssey is not just about escaping Nigeria. It's about what it costs to leave, what is lost in the process, and what it truly means to start over.
Rooted in Nigerian culture, rich with language, humor, proverbs, and grit, this book is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, and to the lives that continue to search for dignity across borders.
