masterp204:
There's a saying " people perish for lack of understanding or knowledge".
That's what you get when You board a plane from Nigeria and land your ass in London.
What happened to Manchester, Newcastle and other cities ?

You nailed it. Living outside gives you a better saving margin than living in London and thanks for mentioning (legally). The truth is most people have been at the point the OP mentioned but have moves on from that. People have done cleaning, supermarkets, security,care etc before moving on. The most important thing is having a plan and direction you're working towards then you can always move up the ladder. It's not easy but it's possible.

ogaju007:


Each one to his own opinion. Your debate style shows your thought process. I repeat the OP should visit those places and realise not every Nigerian is a supermarket or Peckham class. The opportunities are there for anyone that sees it. If you actually live in UK, you are a proof that you can take an animal out of the bush but most times can never take the bush out of the animal. There is a difference between discussion and argument.

you are so so on point I dont reside there but a go on vacation, I've been to many places ,Chingford, Purfleet, Dagenham, westhm,Brighton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,Manchester, Bromley ,Shepherds bush,Hammersmith ,Liverpool Dalston, homerton,camberwell, Peckham Rye, Hackney down,Pembury,nurbury so many that I can't remember seven Sisters, Manor House, tooting bec,Brixton ,high street kessington,you see when you've been to these places you find out that there's no place you won't find niger but the local brits lives outside London and they live large .

Shymm3x:


You're an idiot. I'm from Peckham, and South East London. If you're not an illiterate villager - you'd know that Peckham is part of Southwark council. Southwark extends all the way to SE1 that borders both the City of London (where Bank is) and Tower Hamlets (where both Docklands and Canary Wharf are located) - and Dulwich (a nice area) is also part of Southwark. And some of the priciest real estate in the UK are in SE1. You wouldn't know that, would you?

South East London is massive and there are loads of nice areas there...so why post nonsense and cite places where people don't live? I know for a fact that you have never been to the UK and you're one of those stupid Nigerians who hear silly stories and spam them everywhere as the truth, you vacuous pleb. Just shut ya gob. I don't know why you lot will never leave Peckham alone and find a next place for ya fables, myths, legends, for fvck sake.

You sound frustrated. Is everything ok? Do you need help? Is something not going according to plan? Speculation is for illiterates you know? Has your benefit been stopped? If you need a helping hand let us know. We are all Nigerians and willing to help. You sound like you just got to Uk and it's shacking you. Or things didn't go as planned? No shame in staying in Peckham but good lord knows the likes of you lot that live there.

adaxxy:
you are so so on point I dont reside there but a go on vacation, I've been to many places ,Chingford, Purfleet, Dagenham, westhm,Brighton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,Manchester, Bromley ,Shepherds bush,Hammersmith ,Liverpool Dalston, homerton,camberwell, Peckham Rye, Hackney down,Pembury,nurbury so many that I can't remember seven Sisters, Manor House, tooting bec,Brixton ,high street kessington,you see when you've been to these places you find out that there's no place you won't find niger but the local brits lives outside London and they live large .

You better be careful before Shymm3x says you're googling names lol. Please would you live in Peckham?

ogaju007:


You sound frustrated. Is everything ok? Do you need help? Is something not going according to plan? Speculation is for illiterates you know? Has your benefit been stopped? If you need a helping hand let us know. We are all Nigerians and willing to help. You sound like you just got to Uk and it's shacking you. Or things didn't go as planned? No shame in staying in Peckham but good lord knows the likes of you lot that live there.

Obtuse illiterate, I'm from Peckham but I don't even live there. However, I do know tons of Nigerian professionals live there and all over South East London due to how easy it's to commute to the city and proximity. You're just to stupid to see that and you had to cite places where no one lives, to make a vacuous point. I doubt you've ever been to the UK...you lot just chat shyte and pass the same crap to other people, thus making a vicious cycle of stupidity and folks talking about things they know nothing about. You bummy scrounger.

When did people start living in Bank and Fenchurch St.? And would you even be able to know who's Nigerian and who isn't, when most people you would see are those going to work, and you would hardly see black people in those areas? Can you see how utterly dumb you sound now, you incorrigible git?

Let me see what you would say next cos I go through Fenchurch St. to work every morning via the C2C route.

All this I live here I live there..please sha live where u go survive and have a good plan.

ogaju007:


You better be careful before Shymm3x says you're googling names lol. Please would you live in Peckham?

Shut up - you googled Bank, Fenchurch St., and Canary Wharf. If not, you would know that those aren't residential areas - that's the City of London.

No one working a 9-5 job would even live in Canary Wharf - and if you've been there, you'd know that most of the people living there are foreigners. And the Nigerians who live there are mostly fraudsters and those who looted naija's money. Stop googling shiit.

Shymm3x:


Obtuse illiterate, I'm from Peckham but I don't even live there. However, I do know tons of Nigerian professionals live there and all over South East London due to how easy it's to commute to the city and proximity. You're just to stupid to see that and you had to cite places where no one lives, to make a vacuous point. I doubt you've ever been to the UK...you lot just chat shyte and pass the same crap to other people, thus making a vicious cycle of stupidity and folks talking about things they know nothing about. You bummy scrounger.

When did people start living in Bank and Fenchurch St.? And would you even be able to know who's Nigerian and who isn't, when most people you would see are those going to work, and you would hardly see black people in those areas? Can you see how utterly dumb you sound now, you incorrigible git?

Let me see what you would say next cos I go through Fenchurch St. to work every morning via the C2C route.

why are you trying so hard to prove you live in UK? That's so low. You also write like the low class of London. I wonder what you do? Words like git, shyte are not nice. Omg ok what's the matter? Ok you win. You own UK. You take the C2C by the way I also change over to DLR at Limehouse. If you read my initial message without being defensive about Peckham, you will see you're getting worked up for nothing.

adaxxy:
you are so so on point I dont reside there but a go on vacation, I've been to many places ,Chingford, Purfleet, Dagenham, westhm,Brighton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton,Manchester, Bromley ,Shepherds bush,Hammersmith ,Liverpool Dalston, homerton,camberwell, Peckham Rye, Hackney down,Pembury,nurbury so many that I can't remember seven Sisters, Manor House, tooting bec,Brixton ,high street kessington,you see when you've been to these places you find out that there's no place you won't find niger but the local brits lives outside London and they live large .

Yea. Exactly what I said earlier . They should learn how to explore other cities. A female friend of mine pays £200 per month for accommodation while the other in bradford pays £150 per month, so hard to believe. What surprised me was the fact that these guys re students and can still cough out £8000 for their tuition without help from parents in Nigeria. You can't save that much as a student in The city of London.

Very informative thread....as headlined... the untold stories. Where do we ever read of such? OP has focused on these issues she learned about on her visit and brought them here to enlighten us and paint a more detailed picture of what one can be facing in London. The more we know the better we can be prepared to overcome the difficulties of venturing abroad. ... a matter of letting us look well before we leap. Many cannot relate because they have never travelled. For me th most important thing is getting there legally and having people to support you until you can find your way. Are there many successful Nigerians in the UK?..tens of .thousands!.....this is about the strugglers and avoiding to be in such a group. Migrating from Nigeria to London is pretty much like migrating from the village to Lagos.

Shymm3x:


Shut up - you googled Bank, Fenchurch St., and Canary Wharf. If not, you would know that those aren't residential areas - that's the City of London.

No one working a 9-5 job would even live in Canary Wharf - and if you've been there, you'd know that most of the people living there are foreigners. And the Nigerians who live there are mostly fraudsters and those who looted naija's money. Stop googling shiit.

lol I'm having so much fun. ok I googled canary wharf has residential part and if you can't comprehend what people write, don't be myopic to make it shallow.

nochildsplay:
it's possible GUY !!!

Stop being idealistic

As a taxi driver, saving around £134,000 in four years??. I know people who drive taxis in London and outside of it. You can make money delivering goods with a van..(van and man) but saving £134k in four years is what Im disputing...except you are Jason strathan delivering 'special goods'.

Obiwannn:

the article never said he spent four years there. Read again

Read again, the person I quoted said someone could make that amount of money after hustling in the UK for four years and he wrote the article. What are you talking about?

ogaju007:
Good write up and I must say, you're indeed right however the story is one sided as it doesn't reflect ordinary people that left Nigeria for the UK and have worked their way up.I think your story is based on people residing in a particular part of London. Need I say, there are other places in London other than Peckham or South East in general.

We have a lot of successful stories of ordinary people doing good and I think it's good to get a balance of the 2.

Wherever you are, remember it's not the place that makes you, it's what you make of the place. The opportunities here are endless and if you have papers and you choose to work in a supermarket then that's another story. some people have never been stopped by the police in the over 10 years that they've been here.

Just like anywhere in the world including Naija, you need to hustle your way up (Legitimately).

Next time you're in London, take a little trip to Canary wharf, Bank, Fenchurch and you will be proud of your Nigerian brothers and sisters.

Shymm3x this is for you. Re-Read the bold part. Though I assume it might take time to disseminate but try. Like I said no need to try so hard to prove you live in UK. My statement was to let the OP know although we have people struggling, we also have people doing relatively well.

ogaju007:
why are you trying so hard to prove you live in UK? That's so low. You also write like the low class of London. I wonder what you do? Words like git, shyte are not nice. Omg ok what's the matter? Ok you win. You own UK. You take the C2C by the way I also change over to DLR at Limehouse. If you read my initial message without being defensive about Peckham, you will see you're getting worked up for nothing.

I'm not trying to prove anything - your post was just idiotic. Why throw the tons of hardworking Nigerian professionals who live in Peckham and South East London under the bus - just to make a vacuous point, when the other places you cited aren't even residential areas?

Heck, there are more professionals working in the City, living in Peckham and South East London than any other place in London - due to proximity and how easy it's to commute from there. Hence the rent and house prices in those areas are higher than what the real estate value should be.

I'd wager that the only reason why you don't live there is cos the rent is too high for you, hence you moved to London-Essex like everyone else. Just say that next time and stop talking nonsense. And yes, I get defensive about Peckham cos it seems that's the only place you lot know and it's always about using the place for all kinds of nonsense talk. Is Peckham the only place in London? Even the article the OP posted couldn't help it and had to throw Peckham in North London. Leave Peckham alone.

Anyway, since you C2C route - how do know who's Nigerian and who isn't in Fenchurch St.? And how many black folks do you even see there, to know that Nigerians are doing fine in Fenchurch St.?

ogaju007:
Shymm3x this is for you. Re-Read the bold part. Though I assume it might take time to disseminate but try. Like I said no need to try so hard to prove you live in UK. My statement was to let the OP know although we have people struggling, we also have people doing relatively well.

You're a gift that keeps on giving.

So when you take a trip there and you see just any black person out of about 500 hundred people who aren't black, you'd know the person is Nigerian and boom, Nigerians are doing fine in London, no? Can you see how utterly dumb you sound?

Also, why did you cite Peckham and South East London? What point are you trying to prove when a lot of the folks who work in Bank, Fenchurch, and Canary Wharf live in Peckham and South East London?

tobimillar:
I read thru every bit of it and first I must say it a wonderful write up and I am disappointed at nairalander's asking for summary above.. please u guys should learn to read.

@topic isn't it funny that a taxi driver in UK is able to build a house in lekki... that is the reason everybody wants to travel even when they know it's not going to be easy.
A graduate working in civil service or even doctors can't build house in lekki except they do illegal runs or have other private businesses

True. Am doing a menial job here and I already bought a car. My cousins back in Nigeria that have been working in a hospital for a while can't afford one. You can imagine

Shymm3x:


I'm not trying to prove anything - your post was just idiotic. Why throw the tons of hardworking Nigerian professionals who live in Peckham and South East London under the bus - just to make a vacuous point, when the other places you cited aren't even residential areas?

Heck, there are more professionals working in the City, living in Peckham and South East London than any other place in London - due to proximity and how easy it's to commute from there. Hence the rent and house prices in those areas are higher than what the real estate value should be.

I'd wager that the only reason why you don't live there is cos the rent is too high for you, hence you moved to London-Essex like everyone else. Just say that next time and stop talking nonsense. And yes, I get defensive about Peckham cos it seems that's the only place you lot know and it's always about using the place for all kinds of nonsense talk. Is Peckham the only place in London? Even the article the OP posted couldn't help it and had to throw Peckham in North London. Leave Peckham alone.

Anyway, since you C2C route - how do know who's Nigerian and who isn't in Fenchurch St.? And how many black folks do you even see there, to know that Nigerians are doing fine in Fenchurch St.?

If you're crossed about the Peckham issue,there are better ways of countering what you disagree with without being rude. I have been to Peckham a few times in the past for foodstuff and yes there might be a good people there but everyone knows Peckham has a negative reputation. Simples.

Lizabeth25:
That's d problem about humans! Even if u are killing yourself on d job, oyinbo people use una as slave, instead to run back home and let us receive una like d black sheep, una will prefer to die there!

Is it by force..?

if they offer u a visa tell me u no go go.

Shymm3x:


You're a gift that keeps on giving.

So when you take a trip there and you see just any black person out of about 500 hundred people who aren't black, you'd know the person is Nigerian and boom, Nigerians are doing fine in London, no? Can you see how utterly dumb you sound?

Also, why did you cite Peckham and South East London? What point are you trying to prove when a lot of the folks who work in Bank, Fenchurch, and Canary Wharf live in Peckham and South East London?

south East is the first stop for most Nigerians. Peckham is like ojuelegba.

ogaju007:
If you're crossed about the Peckham issue,there are better ways of countering what you disagree with without being rude. I have been to Peckham a few times in the past for foodstuff and yes there might be a good people there but everyone knows Peckham has a negative reputation. Simples.

Cool. But you lot need to leave the place alone and stop using it as the poster child for all kinds of negativity by destroying the image of the place. A lot of folks are connected to the place, the same way you're connected to where you're from - and the same way certain negativity that are half-truths would irk you, is the same it'll irk them.

Yes, Peckham used to be notorious for a lot of things but since time immemorial - Dulwich and other parts of Southwark have always been some of the nicest areas in London. Heck, Southwark used to be part of Westminster and Southwark still connects Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark Bridge, and Millennium Bridge - and one of the biggest tourist havens in the UK. So why destroy the image of the place? The overwhelming majority of the folks in the Borough aren't even black - and Nigerians make up a very small fraction.

In recent years, Peckham has changed tremendously like other notorious places in London. The place deserves some respect. People pay through their noses to live there and it has never been a cheap place to live. And they also deserve some respect.

Shymm3x:


I'm not trying to prove anything - your post was just idiotic. Why throw the tons of hardworking Nigerian professionals who live in Peckham and South East London under the bus - just to make a vacuous point, when the other places you cited aren't even residential areas?

Heck, there are more professionals working in the City, living in Peckham and South East London than any other place in London - due to proximity and how easy it's to commute from there. Hence the rent and house prices in those areas are higher than what the real estate value should be.

I'd wager that the only reason why you don't live there is cos the rent is too high for you, hence you moved to London-Essex like everyone else. Just say that next time and stop talking nonsense. And yes, I get defensive about Peckham cos it seems that's the only place you lot know and it's always about using the place for all kinds of nonsense talk. Is Peckham the only place in London? Even the article the OP posted couldn't help it and had to throw Peckham in North London. Leave Peckham alone.

Anyway, since you C2C route - how do know who's Nigerian and who isn't in Fenchurch St.? And how many black folks do you even see there, to know that Nigerians are doing fine in Fenchurch St.?

I thought you knew for a fact that I was in a village in Nigeria but now you think I live in Essex omg. You my friend are unbelievable. Anyways where do you take your C2C from so I can crown you miss Peckham....

ogaju007:
I thought you knew for a fact that I was in a village in Nigeria but now you think I live in Essex omg. You my friend are unbelievable. trying to feel funky about UK.... Those days are long gone.... don't speculate. If you're frustrated or upset about something, don't come on here and start chatting crap. Anyways where do you take your C2C from so I can crown you miss Peckham....

Lmao...you sound like a villager from Nigeria. You live in Essex-London where houses and rent are extremely cheap, yet you had to feel funky and start throwing shades at places where houses prices (for smaller houses) and rent are twice what you pay, no?

Respect the home town - you can't afford to live there, unless you want to spend all ya wages on rent. You and I know that for a fact. So stop faking the funk. I live around Rainham axis - catch me if you can.

Shymm3x:


Cool. But you lot need to leave the place alone and stop using it as the poster child for all kinds of negativity by destroying the image of the place. A lot of folks are connected to the place, the same way you're connected to where you're from - and the same way certain negativity that are half-truths would irk you, is the same it'll irk them.

Yes, Peckham used to be notorious for a lot of things but since time immemorial - Dulwich and other parts of Southwark have always been some of the nicest areas in London. Heck, Southwark used to be part of Westminster and Southwark still connects Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Southwark Bridge, and Millennium Bridge - and one of the biggest tourist havens in the UK. So why destroy the image of the place? The overwhelming majority of the folks in the Borough aren't even black - and Nigerians make up a very small fraction.

In recent years, Peckham has changed tremendously like other notorious places in London. The place deserves some respect. People pay through their noses to live there and it has never been a cheap place to live. And they also deserve some respect.

Now this is communication. I'm proud of you. you gave us more information here and we get how you feel about Peckham. Kudos to everyone living in Peckham, we respect them.

tobimillar:
I read thru every bit of it and first I must say it a wonderful write up and I am disappointed at nairalander's asking for summary above.. please u guys should learn to read.

@topic isn't it funny that a taxi driver in UK is able to build a house in lekki... that is the reason everybody wants to travel even when they know it's not going to be easy.
A graduate working in civil service or even doctors can't build house in lekki except they do illegal runs or have other private businesses

No it's not because driving a taxi or working in the civil service in UK cannot buy him a house in Mayfair or other prestigious places. Driving a taxi or working in the civil service in NY will not give you a penthouse in SOHO and the same goes for Nigeria.

Shymm3x:


Lmao...you sound like a villager from Nigeria. You live in Essex-London where houses and rent are extremely cheap, yet you had to feel funky and start throwing shades at places where houses prices (for smaller houses) and rent are twice what you pay, no?

Respect the home town - you can't afford to live there, unless you want to spend all ya wages on rent. You and I know that for a fact. So stop faking the funk. I live around Rainham axis - catch me if you can.

hahahah just when I put my pistol down lol..... I better pull it back up lol so we both stay in a relatively cheaper but better place. I board in Purfleet second to the last carriage (quiet area) 8:07. I have friends that work and live in Canary Wharf hence why I'm adamant that legit Nigerians can afford to live there easy.

ogaju007:


Now this is communication. I'm proud of you. you gave us more information here and we get how you feel about Peckham. Kudos to everyone living in Peckham, we respect them.

More like it.

Learn to make comments without throwing shades at places. People live where they feel at home. Peckham and South East London have the best chics and a lot of the most successful Nigerians in the UK are from there. There's no place like South London in the UK - when you're out there, the atmosphere is just different. And if you're Nigerian, you'll always feel at home in South East London - that's what the place represents to Nigerians in the UK. Let's respect the place for that.

gbosaa:


Where did you get this from? "So what is 4 that he can't afford after four years of hustling in London"?

Let's do some maths. Taxi drivers make between £500-£800 a week, let's assume his is very lucrative driving football players to trainings and stuff. He will make up to £1000.
That's £26000-£52000 a year. He has to pay the taxi company every week, but fuel, insurance, pay house rent and other domestic expenses.

So you think he could save N10m or around £30k-£40k per year after expenses. Mind you he has to pay tax. So after four years, assuming he landed from Heathrow and started his cab business the following day having mastered all the driving routes from surfing the net in Nigeria or with the aid of his sat nav,He could save N40m or £130k-£135k after hustling for four years??

You are making too much sense oh. Apparently he does not eat or wear any clothes in this 4 year period.

ogaju007:
hahahah just when I put my pistol down lol..... I better pull it back up lol so we both stay in a relatively cheaper but better place. I board in Purfleet second to the last carriage (quite area) 8:07. I have friends that work and live in Canary Wharf hence why I'm adamant that legit Nigerians can afford to live there easy.

Lol.

So, you in live in the shytehole called Purfleet where there are no shops apart from McColl's? That's a big residential barrack and a dead place. Chafford Hundred is far better. And despite how shitty Grays is - it's miles ahead of Purfleet. I can't live in that place.

Nah, Canary Wharf is too expensive for anyone working a 9-5 job (even for top executives). Why would you pay that much for a small flat, when you can easily buy a big house somewhere and commute? Most of the folks who live in Canary Wharf are foreigners: Chinese, Americans, Russians, Canadians et al.

Shymm3x:


Lol.

So, you in live in the shytehole called Purfleet where there are no shops apart from McColl's? That's a big residential barrack and a dead place. Chafford Hundred is far better. And despite how shitty Grays is - it's miles ahead of Purfleet. I can't live in that place.

Nah, Canary Wharf is too expensive for anyone working a 9-5 job (even for top executives). Why would you pay that much for a small flat, when you can easily buy a big house somewhere and commute? Most of the folks who live in Canary Wharf are foreigners: Chinese, Americans, Russians, Canadians et al.

I don't mean this in a rude way. But don't underestimate what our guys are earning. Being a top executive is just a name if the top executive needs you to make his show work, then you name your price. But I'm still praying to get to that level. For someone that lives in different places in one year I think it makes economic sense to live in not so expensive places.

Tinyemeka:


I wonder what'd happen if eventually, 1GBP equates to 1NGN?

It still won't affect the taxi fare in the UK or how much taxi drivers earn or save in four years.

That N40 million Naija lekki house would probably cost N133000. Bankers would probably be paid 265 naira a month, a plate of rice with plantain and ponmo would cost about one naira thirty kobo (N1.30).

There are lots of things that give extra money in the UK outside of the regular job but taxi business won't give you the equivalent of N40m in four years.

ogaju007:
I don't mean this in a rude way. But don't underestimate what our guys are earning. Being a top executive is just a name if the top executive needs you to make his show work, then you name your price. But I'm still praying to get to that level. For someone that lives in different places in one year I think it makes economic sense to live in not so expensive places.

Anyway, I sincerely apologise for the initial back and forth. It just irks me when folks use Peckham for all kinds of negativity when most don't even know how rich the London Borough of Southwark is. SE1 is just like the City of London and all the monumental landmark bridges over the Thames River that represent London connect Southwark.

I hear that. That's why folks need to stop generalising about Nigerians in the UK cos there are tons of Nigerian professionals making ridiculous money daily. Even a lot of young Nigerians are making it big and it's silly to use the achievement of an average immigrant (which is where majority of immigrants in any country will always fall) to judge everyone. However, I still don't think it's wise to live in those ultra expensive high rise flats in Canary Wharf - when you can use the money for a bigger and better house. Driving around there is also expensive due to congestion charge. Don't even get me started about parking. Ditto the stress of going to an underground parking lot to pick ya car every morning - when you can easily come out of ya detached house and drive off. They're just making the Asians who own majority of the real estate in that area richer.