“Japa meets jand”: IJGBs and Lagos babes' festive season face-off causes buzz online

• Madam Joyce's viral video sparked outrage among Nigerian girls, accusing Lagos girls of being "jealous" and "scared" of her
• The controversy highlighted the complexities of relationships between women, particularly in the context of partner uncertainty and social competition
• Netizens reacted with mixed emotions, defending Madam Joyce's right to express herself while others accuse her of being arrogant and dismissive of Lagos women's feelings

As the festive season brings loved ones together, the internet has been abuzz with the latest drama involving IJGBs (I just got back) and Lagos girls.

A recent controversy surrounding Madam Joyce and Lagos girls has sparked an inferno on social media. At its core, the issue highlights the complexities of relationships between women, particularly in the context of partner claim and social competition.

In Nigeria, the economic crisis has led to a sense of desperation, with many people seeking greener pastures abroad and jumping on the ‘Japa syndrome’ trend. 

Those who manage to leave are often seen as lucky, and their return is met with a mix of admiration and resentment. hence the tag, tagged ‘IJGB’ (I Just Got Back) which is a term used for Nigerians who returned from diaspora for Christmas, to flex, party, fornicate and look all “high profile.”

For Lagos girls, the presence of someone like Madam Joyce, who has traveled abroad and returned, can be perceived as a threat. The fear of being overshadowed or losing their partners to someone they see as more "experienced" or "sophisticated" can lead to feelings of insecurity and competitiveness.

Ultimately, the controversy began when Madam Joyce took to social media to share her disappointing encounter with Lagos girls at an event. 

She has taken to social media to express her discontent with Lagos women, accusing them of being "jealous" and "scared" of her.

Madam Joyce’s controversy 

Madam Joyce shared a video recounting her experience at an event in Lagos. 

According to her, she greeted everyone warmly but was met with cold indifference by the Lagos babes. She stated,

“There have been a couple of times that I have been here, that I have been invited to a table and I will say hi to everybody because I am new to the table. I’ll be like ‘Hi guys’, ‘Hi everyone’ or Hi to the person that invited me, and the way girls be looking at me like I am about to steal their man.

“And this has happened three times, as in I have come in and I have said hi and there is not even a flinch, there has not even a budge. 

“I just thought that obviously, me being high-profile, sometimes people see me for the first time and they don't know what to do and it’s like ‘oh I've seen her on the net, she is here in person, oh my God, how strange’, I understand that, but now seeing the conversations on TikTok , I don't know whether to redact, but yeah, girls, I am really here to have a good time, I promise you, if I say hi, just say Hi back. I am a nice person.

She further added when netizens slammed her over the video that she indeed has intentions of stealing their man. 

"They thought I was there to steal their men," Madam Joyce claimed. "But I'm not apologizing for being 'high profile' and attractive. If the men are drawn to me because I'm clean and confident, that's not 'stealing' – it's just being myself."

Madam Joyce's video ignited a firestorm online, with some users defending her right to express herself and others accusing her of being arrogant and dismissive of Lagos women's feelings.

A protective instinct gone wrong?

The Lagos girls' behaviour seems to stem from a natural protective instinct that often gets the better of them. The perception that IGGBS are "outsiders" with a certain prestige or "poison" can create tension and lead to unnecessary drama.

@hrhabimbola aptly pointed out, girls are often mean to each other due to this instinctual need to protect their territory and relationships. This behavior is not unique to Lagos girls or Nigeria; it's a universal phenomenon that transcends geographical boundaries.

She stated: “All these videos that have been going viral that London girls are mean, Lagos girls are mean, IJGBs, Madam Joyce, can we just give it a rest already! Girls are mean in general, girls are mean to each other in general. This is not a matter of city thing or country things. 

“Like girls are mean most especially when we feel intimidated by each other, we just suddenly become rude, most especially it has to do with the attention of men, we become so rude and unbearable to each other.”

She recounted her own experience of how she had felt humiliation by rudeness of females in both London and America. 

Netizens’ reactions to IJGB, Lagos girls drama

The social media was left abuzz with reactions after Madam Joyce's viral video sparked outrage among Nigerian girls. 

The backlash was intense, with many taking to social media to defend themselves and their reputation

Here are some comments below:

@thedorathybach posted: “Your Detty December is our everyday lifestyle🤣 #stoptripping

You don't hear us make noise when we travel for Summer. Yen yen yen😏

@Chelsea posted: “Nice person? Why you laughing MJ maybe you are there to steal their man.”

@iamsalesgirl posted: “Uk babes will come to Lagos and party with Lagos babes then go to their social media to talk about how Lagos girls are rude and scared you are out to steal their man”

@Ucheki posted: “Low-key yeah, I love the way Lagos babes always put IJGB babes in their place.”

@sinzubaba posted: “Aura for aura. Baddie for baddie”

@JulietC14626045 posted: The way I laughed eh😂😂😂😂😂😂😂, high profile indeed💀

@AllThingsAsare posted: “Yall need to stop gaslighting her! This was very common when my friends and I went to Ghana as well. Some of the girls r mean. I just feel like some African girls do not have that whole "girls girls" mentality thing that ppl overseas have. It could also be cultural as well”

@iFe_oluwa posted: “Shey babe wey Japa last year come back this year too na IJGB? Where do we blur the lines here”

@maintishe posted: “Madame Joyce wasn't wrong, her delivery was Lagos girls are rude in the clubs. it also was a case of right message, wrong messenger because UK babes are just as rude. Tbh all of una dey craze. but it would dishonest for you guys to gaslight us and say there isn't any hostility”

@slimreezygoddy posted: “Nobody cares about y'all UK or US people, Lekki babes are finer and have bigger rides. They don't greet each other normally, why should they greet y'all who are always noisy.”

@maintishe posted: “Social media is really starting to create this antisocial, weird and rude behavior, like do you hear yourself? if a bunch of people are sitting at the same table and sharing the same liquor they can't greet themselves? if yall wanted to be alone so bad buy your own section tf”

@roy_yute posted: “Which kind secondary school fight be this, y'all can't just have fun together?

Of empathy and understanding

The IJGBS and Lagos girls drama serves as a reminder that it is essential to strive to be more empathetic and understanding towards others, regardless of the background or circumstances. By doing so, the world can create a more inclusive and supportive community that celebrates differences rather than tearing each other down.

IJGBs: What will surprise returning Nigerians this December

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier compiled some things that might shock returning Nigerians about the economy, events that took place, and some lifestyle changes.

Some of those things include the high cost of fuel, high cost of transportation and food.