Episodes

British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. joins Japa Diaries to discuss his journey living between Nigeria and the UK, and the story behind his acclaimed film My Father's Shadow, now showing in U.S. theaters. In this conversation, Akinola shares what it was like moving to the UK at 13 without his parents, spending nine years away from Nigeria, and eventually finding his way back home. We explore the question many diaspora Africans ask themselves: where is home when you've lived everywhere...

Even when we’re out of season, we’re still bringing you good content! In this bonus crossover episode, Abimisola guest hosts Culture Custodian’s Uncultured podcast, diving into the history of japa in Nigeria. We thought you’d enjoy this one. And if you do, be sure to check out more episodes from Uncultured! ---------------------------- Roses are red, our passports are green, ‘Japa’ is migration to a country you’ve never been. Loosely translated from Yoruba, japa means to run away, and it’s wh...

In the season finale of Japa Diaries, hosts Abimisola and Malik take a reflective journey through the year’s biggest moments. They share candid thoughts on producing the podcast and building community, and finding balance between. From the global rise of Afrobeats to the personal realities of activism, trauma, and growth, this episode explores how culture continues to shape our stories. The hosts also dive into intergenerational lessons on parenting, the beauty of being relatable, and the ong...

We sit down with Nigerian rap icon M.I Abaga to explore his journey from being a college student in the U.S. to becoming one of Africa’s most influential hip-hop voices. M.I opens up about navigating life between two continents, the lessons he’s learned about staying authentic in an ever-changing industry, and his mission to build bridges between African creatives across the diaspora. We laugh through stories of culture shock, creative growth, and M.I’s evolution as both “Jude” and “M.I.” ...

Being an international student can be tough… and expensive. In this two-part episode, we sit down with John, who once struggled to fund his education abroad but found hope through community support. That experience inspired him to co-found the African Leadership Bridge (ALB), which now provides scholarships for African international students studying in the U.S. In part two, we hear from Usomine, a current ALB scholar, who shares how the scholarship has lifted financial burdens, built her ...

This week on Japa Diaries, we’re diving into the big, beautiful, and sometimes complicated world of Pan-Africanism with our guest, Koko! From her journey moving from Africa to Canada, to her passion for African history and news, Koko walks us through the past, present, and future of African unity. We talk about everything from Marcus Garvey and Du Bois to what Pan-Africanism looks like in our everyday lives as part of the diaspora. Expect laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of love for the co...

This week on Japa Diaries, we’re giving you the full behind-the-scenes recap of our very first live event! 🎉 From the nerves of ticket sales to the joy of seeing our community show up in person, we're sharing the real ups and downs of organizing a live show. We talk venue selection, vendor shoutouts, and the creativity that went into our games 👀. Most importantly, we reflect on the power of bringing the diaspora together face-to-face. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support, you mad...

What happens when immigrant parents and kids try to meet in the middle? In this episode of Japa Diaries, we’re diving into one of the most universal tensions in immigrant life: the relationship between parents and children. What does it mean to grow up between cultures, when your parents’ values were shaped in one country and yours are forming in another? We’re joined by our Aunty Tayo to get into what it’s really like raising kids abroad. Together we talk through the push-and-pull of immigrant ...

Afrobeats had a massive year, and we’re breaking it all down in this lively “year in review” episode! We welcome back Deji, a fan-favorite guest from last season to reflect on the past year in Afrobeats, from the global dominance of artists like Rema and Tems to the rise of fresh voices shaping the genre’s future. We chat about unforgettable moments, the song of the summer, and what’s next for Afrobeats as trends shift and expand worldwide. Plus, Deji shares a curated playlist of songs you need ...

In this episode of Japa Diaries, we’re talking about homecoming, literally and emotionally. Timilehin joins Abimisola and Malik to share the deeply personal story of returning to Nigeria after 15 years in the U.S. following the passing of his grandmother. From revisiting childhood spaces that felt both familiar and strange, to reconnecting with family members he hadn’t seen in over a decade, Timilehin opens up about the mix of grief, joy, and healing that comes with returning home. We explore wh...

We’re talking language loss, revival, and cultural pride with Jalil Anibaba and Oju, creator of Awujo. Hear how Yoruba speakers and learners in the diaspora are keeping the language alive through community, curiosity, and creativity.

We’re kicking off Season Four with real talk about the immigrant experience! From wedding planning to visa troubles, we’re catching you up on life since Season Three.

And that's a wrap on season 3! In this special episode, we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting each of our incredible episodes from this season. We also pull back the curtain and share exclusive BTS moments, including the thrilling high of going viral. And what’s a finale without a glimpse into the future? We’re excited to discuss our ambitious plans for Season 4, including how we’re planning to bring YOU, our amazing listeners, into the conversation. Tune in for...

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Uzo Art to discuss her journey moving to the US at just six years old. Uzo opens up about the challenges of assimilation and a period where she almost lost herself. We also explore her unique perspective, connecting with both first-generation Americans and recent immigrants. Through it all, Uzo has managed to stay true to her authentic self, channeling her experiences into creating culture-blending art. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on ide...

Japa Diaries is going professional! Tune into our conversation with Aisa Diallo, Esq. from Diallo Law Group, as she breaks down the U.S. immigration system. We discuss U.S. immigration policies, common issues African immigrants encounter, and several viable paths to citizenship. Aisa also shares expert tips for navigating the immigration system. Whether you're an immigrant or just curious about immigration issues, this episode is packed with valuable insights. NOTE: This episode is for inf...

In this inspiring episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Eno, the amazing founder of Naija Comm! Eno shared her incredible journey, from her lifelong passion for creating to building a successful career as a creative entrepreneur. We also dove deep into the heart and soul behind Naija Comm and its mission to uplift African creatives and entrepreneurs who don't want the traditional 9-5 life. Whether you're just starting out or already established, this episode is filled with insights and i...

In this episode, we sit down with Loïc, a passionate Burundian who made the big move to South Africa to study at the prestigious African Leadership Academy. We dive into Loïc's life in Burundi, his experiences living among other Africans, and our shared dreams for a Pan-African utopia. We also get into a lively discussion about why some Nigerians might find it tough to connect with other Africans. Join us for a fascinating and heartfelt conversation about unity, diversity, and the future of Afri...

In this episode, we sit down with a courageous Mercy who shares her incredible journey from Nigeria to Italy. She opens up about her upbringing in Nigeria, the challenges she faced traveling through Libya, and the perilous Mediterranean crossing. Tune in to hear about her resilience, the reality of seeking asylum, and how she’s building a new life in Italy. Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of human trafficking, child abuse, and graphic descriptions of death. If you or som...

What happens when you miss out on the H1B visa lottery? This week Feyi shares his personal US immigration journey, from navigating the complexities of US visa options to the disappointment of not securing the H1B visa. We also discuss why he ultimately chose to relocate to Canada. We're matching donations! Support the people of DRC and Sudan at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. Join our African immigrant community! Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok. New episodes every Tuesday! Go ahead...

This week we're joined by our own personal besties Folarin and Isioma to discuss maintaining long-distance friendships. We discuss the origin and evolution of our friendships, friendship rankings and how we've managed to stay connected even though we're miles apart. An episode full of banter, tea spilling and lots of laughs. Find friendship and connection on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok! Donate to our larger African community at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. New episodes every Tuesday! Go ...

Wrapping up our conversation with Deji Osikoya on Afrobeats to the world! We talk about Deji's time at Chocolate City Records in the Love Nwatiti era, the current global recognition for afrobeats, and his thoughts on the future of the genre. Support our African brothers and sisters in Sudan and DRC at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. We want to hear from you, follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok! New episodes every Tuesday! Go ahead and subscribe -- you know you want to. Hosted on Acast...

This week Deji Osikoya joins us to discuss the Afrobeats to the world movement! We talk about the crossover attempts starting from the early 2000s, the influence of Afrobeats giants like 2Face, D'banj and P-Square, and the role of social media in its ultimate success. Donate to our African brothers and sisters in Sudan and DRC at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. Join our immigrant community on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok! New episodes every Tuesday! Go ahead and subscribe -- y...

This week we had the pleasure of speaking to Kehinde about curating community spaces! We talk about the role community played in his upbringing, his search for a community in the US, and how he's creating physical spaces for others to find their community. Looking for a community? Join ours on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok! Donate to our larger African community at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. New episodes every Tuesday! Go ahead and subscribe -- you know you want to. Hosted on Acast. See...

We're back!! Malik and Abimisola catch us up on life after season 2 wrapped. We talk Abim's visit to Nigeria after 5 years, an absentee wedding and how we're supporting DRC and Sudan this season. Donate to our fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/japa-sudan-drc. Join our African immigrant community! Follow us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok. New episodes every Tuesday! Go ahead and subscribe -- you know you want to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.