₦airaland Forum

I recently flew with Turkish Airlines, and wow, Istanbul Airport is something else. I was expecting the usual airport vibe, you know, just getting through check-in, security, and waiting at the gate. But Istanbul Airport? This place is like a mini city.

I stepped off the plane, and the first thing that hit me was how big it is. Huge halls, tall ceilings, so much light—it felt like walking into a mall, not an airport. People were everywhere, from all over the world, moving in every direction. Honestly, I felt like a tourist already, just trying to take it all in.

The first thing I did? Coffee. I needed it after that early flight, and there’s nothing like a strong, dark Turkish coffee to wake you up. It was rich, intense, and just what I needed. I was sipping it slowly, letting the caffeine kick in while I looked around and got my bearings.

And then came the duty-free section. Usually, I just walk through, maybe glance at a few things, but here? This place pulled me in. They had everything—perfumes, clothes, wine, snacks—you name it. I ended up buying some perfume (couldn’t resist), grabbed a few bottles of Turkish wine to bring back, and even picked out a shirt that caught my eye. Honestly, it felt more like shopping in a proper mall than an airport.

After my mini shopping spree, I was getting hungry, so I wandered over to the food section. And let me tell you, Istanbul Airport doesn’t do basic. They had all kinds of Turkish food—kebabs, pastries, baklava, and this delicious bread called simit. I grabbed a plate of kebabs, some fresh baklava, and sat down to enjoy it. The food was genuinely good, not the usual bland airport stuff.

As I continued walking around, I noticed they had these relaxation zones. People were stretched out on recliners, taking naps, charging their phones, just chilling. There were quiet areas for anyone who needed some peace, and even play zones for kids. I found myself a comfy seat, plugged in my phone to charge, and just watched the world go by for a bit. It felt more like a lounge than an airport terminal.

Finally, I made my way over to the lounges. Now, I didn’t go inside since I wasn’t flying business class, but even from the outside, they looked impressive. Huge glass windows, soft lighting, and everyone inside looked so relaxed. Maybe next time, if I ever treat myself to a business class ticket, I’ll check it out properly.

By the time I finally headed to my gate, I couldn’t believe how much time had flown by. I’d spent hours just wandering around and taking it all in. Istanbul Airport wasn’t just some random stop—it felt like a whole experience on its own. If you ever find yourself here on a layover, don’t just rush through; take some time to explore. Honestly, you won’t regret it.

Check out my video where I captured all these moments.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqo6Twj1XNw

Advantages of Istanbul Airport

Spacious and Modern: High ceilings and lots of natural light.
Diverse Food Options: Plenty of Turkish and international choices.
Great Shopping: Huge duty-free area with luxury and local items.
Relaxation Zones: Comfortable seating and play areas for kids.
Cultural Touches: Art displays and Turkish decor add local flavor.
Clean and Organized: Well-maintained despite the crowds.
Multiple Lounges: Quiet areas with good amenities for those with access.

Downsides of Istanbul Airport:

Long Walking Distances: Getting between gates can take time.
High Prices: Duty-free and food items are pricey.
Language Barriers: Not all staff speak English fluently.
Busy Atmosphere: It’s often crowded and a bit overwhelming.
Limited Free Wi-Fi: Access is often restricted to a short period.

ndidibabe:
Thanks for this piece. Also planning to visit Nigeria this December but people around me keep saying I should avoid Nigeria for now due to security issues. Did you get a family member or friend to pick you up at the airport? How risky is it to pick a taxi from the airport to the hotel?Hmm

It’s funny how life changes you when you take a step away. Years ago, I had several chances to leave Nigeria, but every time the idea came up, my friends and family would talk me out of it. They’d say, “Why leave when Nigeria has everything you need?” And for the longest time, I believed them. I loved Nigeria with a deep-rooted loyalty, convinced that no other place could offer what my home country did. Life felt familiar and secure, like a well-worn path.

But then 2015 happened. When President Muhammadu Buhari came into office, things began to change, and not in the way most of us hoped. Suddenly, what had felt like home started to look different. Even the most patriotic Nigerians around me were beginning to question the country’s direction. That was when I realized it might be time to reconsider staying. So when an opportunity to leave came around, this time, I didn’t hesitate.

I left with a suitcase full of dreams and a head full of Hollywood visions of the “abroad”—a place where money flows easily, life is good, and you can relax without a worry in the world. In my mind, it was a kind of paradise where you could live freely, get everything handed to you, and just coast along. But once I arrived, reality hit. Hard.

Life abroad wasn’t what I imagined. Finding a job was difficult, and unlike back home, there was no room for shortcuts. Every penny was earned, and every step was regulated by strict rules that left no room for bending. I couldn’t just walk over to a neighbor’s place to ask for something as simple as salt, like I could back in Nigeria. I worked harder than ever, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. There were days I felt like packing up and heading back. Each time I told my parents how tough it was, they’d brush it off, saying, “It’s just the devil trying to bring you back—stay strong.”

After five years, I finally decided to return for a short visit to Nigeria. I booked a ticket, excited to reconnect with family and friends, to see how things had changed. But when I landed, the Nigeria I came back to felt different from the one I left. At the airport, I immediately noticed a new sense of “urgency”—everyone seemed to have an angle, and it felt as though every interaction required a “tip” or an extra incentive.

The two weeks that followed were eye-opening. From the cost of living to the struggle for daily necessities, it was a wake-up call. I realized that the freedom and stability I had taken for granted abroad were things many people here could only dream of. What I used to consider “hard” abroad now felt like a privilege.

This journey back home taught me one thing: as challenging as life can be abroad, I can’t take those opportunities for granted. It’s time to triple my hustle and make the most of the advantages I have. Returning to Nigeria reminded me that no matter the struggles I face abroad, I need to focus and keep pushing forward.

That’s why I’m sharing this story. Coming back to Nigeria after five years abroad was an experience that opened my eyes in countless ways. It wasn’t just about catching up with family and friends—it was about facing the reality of a place I thought I knew inside and out. From the moment I landed to my last day, each experience showed me a different side of the country, with all its joys and challenges.

If you’re planning to return after some time away, prepare yourself. Things might not be as you left them. There’s the joy of reuniting with loved ones, sure, but also the frustration of dealing with issues like constant price hikes and a sense that everyone’s out to make a quick buck. I saw both the warmth and the struggle in everyday life here, and it left me with mixed feelings.

In this piece, I’ll take you through my experience visiting Nigeria after five years abroad—from the airport encounters to the daily surprises, and the bigger lessons I took away. This is the Nigeria I came back to.

Breakdown of my travel expenses to Nigeria, totaling over 5.75 million naira:

Flight Tickets: 2.5 million naira for the round-trip international flight.
Airport Expenses: 150,000 naira on food, customs “settlements,” and small support for officials.
Local Transportation: 300,000 naira on taxis and ride-sharing within cities.
Hotel Accommodations: 600,000 naira for hotels in Lagos, Edo, and Oyo.
Food and Dining: 450,000 naira on meals, including enjoying local cuisine.
Family Support: 500,000 naira to help family members with essential needs.
Friend and Community Support: 500,000 naira supporting friends and community.
Shopping (Markets): 300,000 naira on clothing, groceries, and essentials.
Tips and Miscellaneous: 200,000 naira for tips to hotel staff and security.
Entertainment & Social Gatherings: 600,000 naira on events and nightlife.
Healthcare Support: 400,000 naira for family hospital visits and medication.
Highway and Police Checkpoints: 150,000 naira in support at police stops.
Cost of Living Increases: 500,000 naira on inflated daily essentials.
Miscellaneous Expenses: 100,000 naira on other unforeseen costs.
Total: 5.75 million+ naira spent on this trip, covering travel, family, support, and the realities of living back home.

1. Landed in Nigeria feeling excited and a bit nervous.
2. Saw long lines at immigration; noticed some people paying to skip the line.
3. Refused to pay a bribe, which made my wait much longer.
4. At customs, officials asked for 5,000 naira to let me through with my bags.
5. Managed to negotiate and paid 3,000 naira to pass.
6. Felt that everyone in the airport expected some extra money.
7. Walked outside to a crowded, chaotic scene with heavy traffic.
8. Every few blocks, police at checkpoints hinted for “support” money.
9. Wore simple clothes and slippers to avoid standing out as a “returnee.”
10. Reunited with family, and my mom was overjoyed to see me.
11. Took my mom to the hospital for a check-up; felt good to help her directly.
12. Met with friends, but many expected financial help from me.
13. Ate all the Nigerian food I missed—jollof, pounded yam, and suya.
14. Shocked at how expensive local food had become.
15. Stayed at a hotel where a basic room cost 40,000 naira per night.
16. Hotel staff kept asking for tips and didn’t give me much peace.
17. Experienced poor water quality and occasional power outages at hotels.
18. Saw many job ads but noticed Nigerians don’t value small, menial jobs.
19. Observed young people living flashy lifestyles, often beyond their means.
20. Found that market prices were often tripled because I’d been away.
21. Felt like patriotism was low; most people just wanted to make quick money.
22. Noticed inflation had made everything more expensive.
23. At social gatherings, people kept hinting that they needed money.
24. Loved seeing Nigerian resilience, but was saddened by how tough things were.
25. Realized that almost every errand or service required “settling” someone.
26. Police at road checkpoints often hinted that they wanted a little something.
27. Reconnected with Nigerian culture but felt it had lost some of its warmth.
28. Found it tiring to get anything done because everyone expected a bribe.
29. Saw corruption everywhere, from airport officials to simple market transactions.
30. Left Nigeria with mixed feelings—happy to see loved ones but disappointed by the state of things.

The Airport Arrival
The airport was my first taste of what had changed. I was ready to get through immigration quickly, but I noticed people slipping cash to the officers to skip the line. I didn’t want to pay, so I waited longer, and the officer looked annoyed but finally let me through. At customs, things got real—they asked for 5,000 naira to let me pass without even checking my bags. I tried to talk my way out of it, but in the end, I had to settle with 3,000 naira. It was clear that "settling" was still very much part of life here.

Moving Around and the Police Checkpoints
As soon as I left the airport, I dressed down in slippers and simple clothes to avoid standing out. I blended in, but every few blocks, police checkpoints popped up, and they all expected something. If I didn’t give them “support money,” they’d keep me waiting, asking random questions. It became clear that in Nigeria, you don’t just go from one place to another; you have to be ready for these “stops.”

Seeing Family Again
Getting to my family’s home was the highlight. I hadn’t told them I was coming, so when I arrived, my mom was beyond happy. She hugged me tight, and I felt at home again. The next day, I took her to the hospital for a check-up, which felt like something I should have done sooner. Being there for her in person meant a lot.

Meeting Old Friends
Catching up with friends was great, but I quickly noticed a change. Many assumed I had a lot of money just because I’d been abroad. Some hinted, others asked directly, and it felt like every reunion came with expectations. I realized that being back came with responsibilities I hadn’t fully expected.

Eating Nigerian Food Again
One thing I’d missed was the food. I dived into everything—jollof, pounded yam, suya. The flavors were just as good as I remembered, but the prices? Shockingly high. Every meal cost way more than I thought it would. The cost of food had gone up, and it was clear that eating out wasn’t as cheap as it used to be.

High Hotel Prices and Constant Tipping
Staying in hotels was also pricier than I expected. The cheapest place in Lagos was around 40,000 naira a night, and even then, it was basic. Hotel staff were friendly, but everyone seemed to be expecting a tip. Every small favor came with an unspoken “thank you” in cash.

Power and Water Issues
Electricity had improved a bit, with some places using solar, but the water quality was bad in some hotels. The water smelled off in a few places, likely from old tanks, and some hotels didn’t have hot water. I missed having these basic comforts without thinking twice about them.

Attitudes Toward Jobs
I saw job ads around, but it seemed like many young people didn’t want menial work. Everyone wanted the big jobs, the quick success. The drive for shortcuts was strong, and it seemed like people were hoping for money without putting in much work.

High Cost of Living
There was a love for imported goods over locally made stuff. People were spending on foreign clothes and food to look a certain way, and even those who didn’t have much seemed to want to live above their means. The cost of living had clearly shot up, from food to clothes to transport. It felt like every little thing added up fast.

The Spirit of Nigeria
Despite everything, Nigeria’s energy was still there. The streets were full of music, laughter, and people talking. Nigerians are strong, finding ways to enjoy life no matter what. But there was also a feeling of frustration in the air—a sense that things could be better.

Leaving with Mixed Feelings
Leaving Nigeria was hard. I loved seeing my family, eating the food I’d missed, and catching up with old friends. But the hustle, the bribes, and the high costs were draining. This trip reminded me that life in Nigeria has its own pace, one where you have to be patient, alert, and ready to “settle” at any moment.

As I left, I felt a mix of relief and respect for those who live with these daily challenges. Nigeria is home, with all its ups and downs, and that’s something I’ll always carry with me.

Choosing Israel
Family and Job Opportunity: Since your cousins are already in Israel, they can help you settle in and maybe even help you get a job in construction, where they’re making good money. Being with family makes it easier to adjust and feel at home.

Good Pay: [/b]Jobs in construction in Israel pay well, as you’ve seen with your cousins. With their support, you might find similar work and earn a decent income.

[b]Learning New Skills: Israel has advanced technology and construction methods, which can help you grow your skills and experience for the future.

Challenges in Israel
Safety: Israel has conflicts and can be dangerous at times, especially with recent events. If you worry about safety, this is something to consider seriously.

Cultural Differences: [/b]Some people find it hard to live in Israel because of racial or cultural challenges. It might be tough to feel fully accepted, especially as a foreigner.

[b]Visas and Papers: Getting permission to live and work in Israel can be tricky. You may need to work out visa and paperwork details before you go. Your cousins may know more about how to do this.

Choosing Portugal
Safe and Peaceful: Portugal is safer and more stable than Israel. If you want a calm life, it might be a better choice.

Europe Benefits: Living in Portugal gives you a chance to move around Europe more easily in the future. If you plan to work or live in other European countries later, starting in Portugal could help.

Easier to Settle: Portugal might have simpler rules for work and residence, especially if you have family connections there. Once you settle, you might even apply for European residency, which opens doors across Europe.

Simple Decision Tips
Go to Israel if: [/b]You want to earn good money quickly with family support and you’re okay with some risks.
[b]Go to Portugal if: [/b]You want a safe, peaceful life with long-term chances to explore Europe.