“Reverse Japa Is Coming” — Pastor E.A. Adeboye Releases 2026 Prophecy for Nigeria, Sparks Mixed Reactions

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has released his much-anticipated 2026 prophecy for Nigeria, declaring that the nation is on the brink of relief from hunger, economic revival, and a surprising reversal of the mass emigration trend popularly known as “Japa.”

Speaking during the church’s crossover service ushering in the new year, Pastor Adeboye predicted that Nigerians would witness reduced hunger, renewed prosperity for small and medium-scale businesses, and a future where citizens who left the country in search of greener pastures would begin to return home.

According to the revered cleric, Nigeria is entering a season of divine restoration that will alter its economic and social trajectory.

“There will be less hunger in the land,” Adeboye declared. “Small and medium enterprises will thrive again, and those who have left Nigeria will begin to come back. The tide will turn.”

The prophecy, which quickly spread across social media and news platforms, is part of Adeboye’s long-standing tradition of releasing annual forecasts for Nigeria and the world. Since the 1980s, the RCCG leader has consistently used crossover services to present what he describes as divine insights into the year ahead, often shaping conversations far beyond church walls.

For many faithful followers, the 2026 message was received as a much-needed injection of hope after years of economic hardship, insecurity, and uncertainty. Nigeria has faced persistent inflation, currency instability, rising unemployment, and a wave of emigration that has seen thousands of young professionals relocate to the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world in search of better opportunities.

The phrase “Reverse Japa” immediately became a talking point, as it sharply contrasts with the lived realities of many Nigerians. In 2025 alone, Nigeria’s inflation rate reportedly peaked at about 34.2 percent, one of the highest levels in decades, with food prices hitting households hardest. Staple items such as rice, bread, cooking oil, and fuel have remained largely out of reach for millions, while small businesses continue to battle high operating costs, unstable power supply, and multiple taxation.

Yet Pastor Adeboye’s message insists that change is imminent.

According to him, the return of Nigerians from abroad will not merely be symbolic but driven by improved conditions at home. He suggested that divine intervention would unlock new economic pathways, revive local industries, and create an environment where entrepreneurship can once again flourish without suffocating pressure.

However, as the prophecy gained traction online, public reactions quickly revealed a deep divide between spiritual optimism and economic skepticism.

On social media, many Nigerians questioned how such predictions would align with current government policies, particularly rising taxes, subsidy removals, and ongoing cost-of-living challenges. Some users pointed to recent tax reforms and increased levies as evidence that conditions for small businesses may worsen before they improve.

“Reverse Japa with which infrastructure?” one user asked. “People are leaving because of electricity, security, healthcare, and wages. Prophecy won’t fix policy.”

Others referenced the long history of similar prophecies, arguing that while they offer emotional comfort, they often struggle to match economic realities. Critics noted that previous predictions of economic breakthroughs did not fully materialize, especially for the average Nigerian outside elite or religious circles.

Still, supporters of the RCCG leader defended the message, emphasizing that prophecies are faith-based declarations, not economic forecasts. They argued that spiritual leadership has always played a role in sustaining national morale during difficult periods and that positive change can emerge in unexpected ways.

“This country has survived on prayers more than policies,” another commenter wrote. “Hope is not foolish. Sometimes it’s all people have.”

Indeed, Adeboye’s influence goes beyond religion. As one of Nigeria’s most respected Christian leaders, his words often shape public mood, especially among millions of worshippers across Africa and the diaspora. His annual prophecies are closely followed not just by church members but by political observers, economists, and social commentators who analyze their implications in the context of national development.

The idea of a “Reverse Japa” is particularly powerful because it touches a raw nerve in Nigerian society. Emigration has become both a survival strategy and a symbol of disillusionment, with many young Nigerians openly expressing frustration over limited opportunities at home. Any suggestion that this tide could turn naturally invites intense scrutiny.

Yet history shows that Nigeria’s story has often been unpredictable. Periods of deep crisis have sometimes been followed by unexpected rebounds driven by innovation, resourcefulness, and demographic strength. Advocates of Adeboye’s message argue that the prophecy may not signal instant transformation but rather the beginning of gradual shifts that encourage investment, business confidence, and national reawakening.

As 2026 begins, the prophecy now exists in the court of public expectation, where faith, frustration, and realism collide. Whether it becomes a spiritual encouragement, a controversial talking point, or a benchmark against which the year will be judged remains to be seen.

For now, Pastor Adeboye’s words have done what they often do best — ignite debate, inspire hope, and force Nigerians to ask a difficult question: What would it truly take for people to stop running from Nigeria and start returning home?

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