₦airaland Forum

ppogba:
Point of correction.
The Egyptian economy is bigger than those of Kenya and Ghana.
The Algerian economy is bigger than that of Ghana if not bigger than Kenya.

Please re-read my comment. I stated it clearly: sub-Saharan Africa.

I don't merge black Africa with Arabs in everything.

Besides, his talk about lack of talent get as e be. Is he saying the hordes of engineering graduates from our universities and even the diaspora are not qualified? So, wetin dem dey teach people for our engineering facilities? Upon say private universities have exploded in large number and quality too.

I recall when people wrote ExxonMobil aptitude tests which were spread across Houston, Uyo, Lagos, Abuja and Dubai. They complained of seeing "Greek like" characters during the abstract reasoning and how the calculations were tough. Nevertheless, ExxonMobil still employed people, all of whom were Nigerians.

Mr Patrick has to reclarify.

dalass:
Anyone that brings in money for investment is not doing so to help you. He's looking to take out much more in profits.

I think I prefer an indigenous company like Dangote than those that will take out our money and repatriate to their home countries in billions of dollars.... Making our economy to experience naira weakening over and over again

There is nothing wrong with MNCs investing in Nigeria. Even the US seeks foreign investment. Foreign investments bring greater competition, superior technical know-how, different ways of doing things etc. We need them as much as they need us.

Also, nothing wrong with a weak naira. Nigeria is too populated to have a strong naira.

stepaside1:
Patrick Pouyanne just wants to put pressure on PBAT and the Nigerian Govt. Granted that the PIB was in the works for several years but now that it has been passed, there is little excuse.

The fiscal terms they enjoy in the deep water space is one of the best in the world. If they can't invest in the onshore business for security and crude theft reasons, they have little excuse in the deep offshore space.

I was wondering what exactly could be the policy inconsistency considering PIB has been passed. However, the bold is a major issue regardless of deep offshore space. Even Elumelu complained. How much a foreigner.

I wonder why he was quiet on their investment in Mozambique where the massive LNG investment has run into troubled waters due to massive insecurity issues. Angola might be the short term beneficiary but they all know Nigeria offers long term benefits and Patrick only wants to strike a good deal with Tinubu. TotalEnergies realises 10% of its global revenue from this same Nigeria and about 13% of its global investments are in Nigeria. Just think of that for a moment. Not sure they are in a hurry to leave a country they have been doing business in since the 1950s or so. Patrick just wants to pressure us to get a little more from Nigeria.

The company plans to restart the project later this year. Just wondering how all of a sudden Mozambique started experiencing Islamic terrorism. The figures you have about Total's connection with Nigeria are interesting.

Well, for policies in the oil and gas industry, I am not surprised. When Nambia starts drilling, IOCs would further reduce their exposure to Nigeria. Angola borders Namibia. Policy inconsistencies and insecurity are major hindrances to investment by MNCs across all industries.

Honestly, if we don't do things right, other African countries would surpass in basic governance and protection of private property.

FreeStuffsNG:
Chevron chose Guyana over UK too and heavens didn't fall.
Meanwhile, same TotalEnergies is hustling to bring the oil to Nigeria's Dangote Refinery.

God bless Nigeria for ever!Check my signature for free stuffs!

The UK does not have crude oil in the same quantity as Guyana. However, Angola and Nigeria are major oil producers in Africa. Comparing Guyana to the UK is disingenuous and apples-to-oranges.

But as an APC miscreant, I am not surprised by your reasoning.

humility33:
I don't know but he mentioned he has 4 passports it was this MO Ibrahim show he said it.

I think he is not really bothered if he was he should obtain maybe an American or Portuguese citizenship to ease his movement across africa

OK. Thanks for your reply. I want to think he went the American route since he has moved his wealth to the US. $800K is chewgum money to Alhaji.

humility33:
Don't mind them so many people here don't know how France keep milking her former colonies and undermining them politically
Take a look at so many political undeveloped countries in Africa or with dictators as leaders that keep rigging elections and coup plotters they're all French colonies. Fr ance don't care as long as they have a president in this countries that keep promoting their economic interest even if he rules for years.

The top four economies in sub-Saharan Africa are English-speaking - South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. Should Namibians manage their newfound oil wealth, they will become more prosperous than Ivory Coast. Already, even Botswana and Namibia are properly run/managed than Gabon or Ivory Coast.

The French wrecked Haiti and elsewhere. The black man has suffered more at the hands of the French than the English man. Heck, even in Europe, black people regardless of their origin have more opportunities in the UK than ANY French-speaking region.

The English language bequeathed to us by the British is the best gains from colonialism. So many European countries now offer courses in English but check how many English schools offer courses in French

Only 10% of world knowledge on sciences, engineering etc are made available in French majorly in English.

I attend meetings with foreigners and they always marvel how I speak English so well.. they feel intimidated most times I mean Europeans

Yes. The language is the best gift. Singaporeans and Hong Kongers can attest to this. This is a language young Chinese learn from childhood to adulthood. It is the most spoken language in trade shows across the world. Europeans learn it so they can use it outside Europe. Japanese are stunned when I tell them my level is native-level as the British colonised Nigeria during the 1960s. The Brits have their faults, but you see
that language? It is gold.

It is better to learn Spanish as one can use it in a part of the world that is actually prosperous than sub-Saharan Africa which has more French speakers. To show how the French don't favour the black man, it would have made sense to ensure the region where most speakers of your language become wealthy as that would further promote the language's prominence. But the French are not interested in that.

I wish him the best. Nice CV there.

From a Loyal Fan,

humility33:
I tell you
AU is the weakest regional body I know. I watch him say this that day I just weak

Apart from the Nigerian and AU passports, what are the two passports?

So many wrongs in Nigeria. As I have formed in my head, for the country to move forward, it needs a strong and unbiased judicial system. Rules are disregarded anyhow.

Non-remittance of pension and non-payment of salaries are enough to bar a country or an executive from operating again.

OniyideAmplify:
To be fair with ourselves, I'd have preferred France, Netherlands or Belgium to have been Nigeria's colonial master instead of this weak and I don't care Britain. Britain's eye service is too much.

Mention THREE black-dominated countries colonised by the French that are richer than Nigeria.

P.S. France is a terrible coloniser. At least, the British bequeathed us with the English Law system and the language, which is the world's business language. How many Nigerians learn French compared to Francophone Africans who learn English so they can access economic opportunities outside France? As for Belgium and the Netherlands, those are baby French.

The British for its all woes were the best colonisers across the world. The results speak for itself.

humility33:
He has over 4 passports including AU Passport. But he said even wit the AU Passport he is still asked to apply for visa prior entering into this countries like it happened in Angola when the president requested to see him

African institutions are incompetent! Terribly incompetent! So, we cannot even manage AU passport holders entries?

One of the reasons many African countries don't issue visa-free waivers to Nigerians and to an extent Ethiopians, not necessarily all Africans is overpopulation and fears of being over-dominated in their countries. South Africa is visa-free to Ghanaians, just as Kenyans enjoy visa-free access to South Africa. However, South Africa cannot offer the same privilege to Zimbabweans because of their economic woes. Another reason is terrorism. It would be ridiculous to offer visa-free access to Somalians or Mauritanians or Nigeriens. Another issue is the lack of data to clamp down on criminals who will abuse the system. Chile is currently experiencing this problem Venezuelans and Peruvians who naturalised as Chileans use the visa-free access Chile has with the US to move there and perpetrate crimes. US' lawmakers are threatening to revoke the privilege.

Nevertheless, a visa is a privilege, not a right. Visa free access is hinged on wealth. The wealthier a country is, the more countries its citizens can access without restrictions.

Yet to see the Germans or French build something similar. Tomorrow, they would wonder why the average African prefers the Chinese.

ChizzyBuna:
Will I ever send my kids to a catholic boarding school?? HELL NOOOO!!

Even Muslims send their children to Catholic run schools. Loyola Jesuit is one of Nigeria's best schools and it is strictly boarding. In other parts of Nigeria, Catholic Church managed schools perform academically above their secular and even non-Catholic Christian faith schools.

DrTee1:
Two problems:

One, you referenced MYTHs that have no scientific evidence: Einstein's celibacy, Elijah etc.

Two, you then mention European inventors - who are SCIENTISTS - but have no scientific evidence to back your own assertion.

Finally, I didn't write 'all'. I employed no absolute language in my originating comment.

I love your response. More of this on Nairaland and other Internetsphere in Nigeria, please.

Karleb:
Bro, there is a popular thing on Twitter that usually goes like this:

Person A: An average Nigerian doesn't have upto N500k in their account.

Person B: I know one person or a group of people that earns N2m monthly.

This is what is happening here.

My point is, we could be doing greater things with our lives if we are not thinking too much about marriage early in life.

Na true you talk sha. But e follow for wetin dey contribute to low birth rates everywhere (apart from Africa).

richiemcgold:
How I wish we have a similar agency here in my state. Two churches are directly beside my residence on the left, a redeem & deeper life, another one is behind my fence in the backyard. The disturbing noise is just too much. Especially the one behind my fence, sometimes for one hour non-stop, the whole congregation go dey shout Fire! Fire! Fire! Ina ooooo!

Although the redeem church beside me no too dey make noise like that, but their generator get noise pass locomotive train. Na only that Deeper life church no dey disturb at all.

The thing don tire me aswear. Every Friday night like this, we no dey enjoy sound sleep. Wetin nah!

For all its issues, the Lagos government happens to be the most "functioning" in Nigeria. Most states no get time to tackle this kind issue. Even if the time is there, the political/institutional will is lacking.

Karleb:
Thank you.

But based off my personal experience here, I'm not impressed by my people at all.

You could be a low life but once you have a family of your own, you are successful to everyone. It's like the highest level of success people can think of. I'm sorry for bringing tribe to this place but it hurts when people I relate with on a daily don't even believe life could offer more if they put in their A game. They'll rather bring this A game to relationship or marriage.

Then it has to be your environment because when I was looking into the GRE and the US, I came across Yorubas and equally Igbos. Both ethnic groups are the ones pushing beyond the frontiers in Nigeria. So, when I see/read the in-fighting, it tells me that the country has a long way to go.

Karleb:
See how small small igbo boys dey think, see ambitions. And my yoruba boys here no dey think pass how to put woman for house.

I would not say it is about ethnicities. However, it looks like such because, in certain countries, especially non-English speaking, you find more Igbos than Yorubas. The church where I referenced the Singaporean woman had two Nigerians before my attendance. Both were Yorubas - Kwara and Ekiti. The Kwaran dude has been here for eight years working for a notable tech firm and was recently posted to the Tokyo office. One Japanese, him no sabi. But he earns very well. The Ekiti man is an associate professor and has two children.

The Nigerian pastor I had a meeting with is from Osun and has been here for more than a decade. His wife is Igbo and their children speak fluent Japanese. Two new Nigerians even joined the church recently. They are MEXT scholars - both Yorubas. Also, I have seen Yoruba names on Facebook and LinkedIn who are at great places. But by sheer numbers, it is disproportionately Igbos. I was told the Igbo Union in the Tokyo area is so large, that they had to divide it by states and the Nigerian Union in Japan itself is 90% Igbo.

seanery:
Deep

That is all you had to say? Na why this una pontification and sanctimonious attitudes no dey move me.

nnadychuks:
The worst versions of Nigerians are on Nairaland.

Whatever you see about Nigerians on Nairaland is how Nigerians are in real life. Nairaland is a microcosm of Nigeria.

Don't play!

tensazangetsu20:
A few tips of advice I will give to anyone leaving Nigeria to study abroad. I believe these tips apply to every reasonable country out there:

First, this post by my Oga was triggered by this Reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/recruitinghell/comments/1cu9laq/goldman_sachs_offer_rescinded/?share_id=_vsXS_Za_PDPbHGAEzLDd&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=3

As I promised him, I would narrate my experiences.

If you can, avoid doing a one year masters program. Go for 2 years. This is because the job search to get into a career driven job in the current labour market can take a very long time and you need enough time to make your mistakes. Mistakes like poor cv and bad Interviews are better done early ahead so you can learn the system very well.

The bold is very true. If not two years, at least 18 months so you use six months to learn work or three months if you have no part-time job or funding issue. One year is ONLY applicable when you have cognate work experience in Nigeria and preferably in an English-speaking country. So, as a tech bro, this means you know your leetcode and data structures segment very well.

You would MAKE A LOT of MISTAKES. It is sacrosanct. First thing: Start applying the moment you enter the country. Yes, start sending CVs and slating interviews. This is where I almost made a mistake and my Oga warned me of the consequences. So, start early. I was comparing myself to Japanese students who have a different calendar and so many advantages of native fluency and knowledge. Also, due to the long recruitment process, you need to be in the system, aka appropriate visa. My Oga has shared with me an Indian narration of a Google interview which took at least 8 months. So, you need to be in the system to continue such a long and gruelling interview.

Also if you are migrating to a non English speaking country, you can get better in the language spoken in the country in that extra time.

I find this very memorable. Before leaving Nigeria, I DID NOT KNOW A BIT of Japanese. But in my second month, I enrolled on the university's Japanese courses even though they did not contribute to my final grades. Also, I applied for part-time jobs , not necessarily for monetary purposes, but to practice the language as my life was largely a straight line of laboratory and hostel. I recall Tensa20 telling me to approach random Japanese in a bid to practice the language as he did in Chile. Such cannot work here as it would be a blatant invasion of privacy. Nonetheless, I struggled o. I remember looking at Kanji characters repeating them countless times to the point of biting my lips. It was not easy. I am not a Chinese or Korean whose languages have connections/similarities to Japanese. Or Vietnamese who studied the language to an appreciable level before coming here (I respect them for their steadfastness in learning the language).

So, if you want a good career job in a non-English speaking country, a two-year program makes more sense than its one-year counterpart.

Start your job search early. I am shocked that people wait until graduation or very close to graduation to start applying to jobs. This is a disaster in every country on earth. Big multinationals recruit a year in advance and most of them can even allow you set your start date a year in advance if you manage to scale the interviews. Also interviews can take as long as six months or even more depending on the type of organization. Start your job search from the day you enter the country. Don't wait and waste time.

As I stated above, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I had my first interview this February for an application I made in December. Because you would make a lot of mistakes, you need to increase your chances of getting an offer while having the right visa. Interviews take a long time and could even be cancelled or postponed indefinitely. So, start early.

Additionally, apply to as many positions as possible. The more applications, the higher your chances of being called for a test or interview or group discussions. I don write aptitude tests in Japanese (SPI as called here). Failed some, especially at the beginning and have passed the rest so far. In fact, I like writing them so my hand go strong. Also, attend career sessions, especially for international students. These are your best chances of meeting companies that are open to employing foreign students even accounting for language difficulties. There was no career session I did not attend. Organised by the regional city office or national government agency, I put in an application. In fact, while having four final interviews, I was still attending sessions and applying.

Don't focus a lot on GPA. So long as you can maintain the upper distinction range, prioritize the job search much more. Outside Nigeria, most people don't care. They mostly care about what you are able to do and can do.

Again, this is true. Just maintain a reasonable threshold. Anything Efiko or First class should be kept in Nigeria except you are part of the 1% who can perform exceptionally. However, in this global economic crises (e choke everywhere o), prioritising your job search is extremely important, else na you and Tinubu go dey shine teeth.

If you are looking to switch careers, learn the skills in Nigeria especially if you are going into tech. If possible, try and get some experience from Nigeria even if it's internships that don't pay a lot. You have the infrastructure abroad yes, internet, electricity and practically everything you need but the truth is except you are well funded from Nigeria and won't need to do any side jobs to pay bills, you won't have time to pick up any new skill abroad. There's also the fact of getting an entry level tech role in a new country which is mostly reserved for new graduates. Most masters students graduating are expected to have some sort of experience. Some schools won't even admit you without you having some work experience.

I would elucidate this further using real-life stories of two of my buddies here:

Person A and Person B. Person A got admitted into the same university a year ahead of Person B. Both had a first class in engineering courses from good universities in Nigeria. Both were fully funded by the university and did not have to pay tuition fees. Person A had no work experience in tech as he got the scholarship offer after his service. While Person B worked in Lagos in two tech companies for three years. Person A toured Japan very well, but had no leetcode experience. Person B spent his time rehearsing and learning leetcode. As at when both graduated, none knew Japanese. Not boasting, my Japanese is way better than theirs, though both are one year and two years ahead of me in residing here.

Person A left it late in job hunting after declining a scholarship offer to extend his MSc to PhD. Person B also declined the PhD offer. About three-four months before graduation, Person A began job hunting, and after his experiences of firms emphasising knowledge of the language or being exposed to leetcode questions, he sought to regain his PhD offer, but was declined. Here, once you say something, that is what everyone takes, no going back.

Person B, OTOH, attended job hunting sessions for international students. He got an offer, asked for a higher salary and got his request approved. He asked for further increment and was declined. During this time, Person B was being disturbed on LinkedIn by recruiters to the extent he deactivated his account. Before this period, he aced the final interview for a $110K per annum remote job, but got declined the offer because he was on a student visa rather than the minimum of a permanent residency permit. Unlike Chile, Japan's immigration rules are strict on remote jobs while being an international student.

Not relenting, Person B with his advanced leetcode skills applied to more openings, aced ALL the interviews and got two attractive offers of $3,300K and $5K per month equivalent respectively. Expectedly, he chose the latter. Person A is now learning leetcode and building his portfolio.

Me? I stoopidly attempted to learn cybersecurity, but Tensa20 cautioned me that it should be learnt by those who have previous tech experience, not tyros. However, this was clashing with my Japanese language classes, laboratory sessions and part-time work. Nobody tell me to drop am like hot potato.

So, if you are changing careers, get the experience and rudimentary knowledge while in Nigeria.

P.S. If you know you cannot pursue a PhD, you better start planning your life after your MSc. Don't be like the Turkish dude who declined an extension of his scholarship only to waste time on American PhD applications or the American dude who now asks himself why is he even doing a PhD or the Nigerian dude who hasn't been able to publish a paper whereas the minimum requirement is to publish three original papers (he dropped out recently after spending four years without head-way in arranging even one paper) or the Iranian lady wey never even submit any form of thesis and hasn't come up with a paper to publish (the same minimum requirement of three papers)

Learn from your mistakes especially with interviews. Mistakes are very expensive. You want to make sure that each interview you go through is better than the last. This is very important. If you take your interviews nonchalantly, you might finish and not get anything.

I personally prepare for each job interview like I am going to war. I also try to record my interviews and think of how I could have structured my answers better and apply that to the next interview.

This is where I did not learn fast. I made a lot of mistakes in my early interviews; from inappropriate dressing to non-usage of proper Japanese interview terms. During interviews, standard Japanese is not used, but the advanced form called - Keigo. I no sabi, and this ignorance dealt with me brutally. I had to start taking notes of each interview in how I mis-performed and what and how I should do to improve. Even my first English interview, I goofed. However, subsequent interviews were good, but no offer (more on this). I have interviewed with companies across Japan and even the UK headquarters of a firm. One even gave me his number to contact him when my Japanese improves. Another said I should contact them when my language skill improves. Yet another said I should contact her (she added me on LinkedIn) when my language level has improved. One said it was too early to make an offer in the industry, so I should contact him later.

Moreover, through my Singaporean friend at a church I attend, I have been interviewed by Singaporean representatives of companies even though I know nothing will come out. This is because the companies clearly stated that the successful candidate will be posted to Southeast Asia to work in one of the offices. Nobody will post a black man to manage a branch in Southeast Asia. But I needed the interview experience. I don pay train ticket to an interview in Tokyo so I experience my first face-to-face interview. Normally, companies offer to pay your transport fare for face-to-face interviews. But I did this to get that face-face meeting experience. Me bin don tire for Zoom and Google interviews.

Last last, hold God tight o. I used to be so irreligious in Nigeria but men I don't even know how my life would have been if I didn't find God to be honest.

Me and Tensa20 aligned in a lot of ways and more so in how irreligious we were, at least while in Nigeria. But I recalled in the last three final interviews I had, I entered hot prayers o. I called my parents and siblings make them pray for me. I resumed attendance at the Nigerian church here. I made offerings and kept a clean state. I prayed o. I meditated. Finally, I got what I wanted - a good job at a multinational.

It was not an easy process, but good things don't come cheap, especially in a period of global economic crises and being a black person. Tensa20 mentioned going for a war. Yes! That should be your modus operandi - every interview is a war. Go fully prepared! Don't leave things to chance. You are going there to fight, literally. Review your mistakes from previous interviews. I learnt how to structure my interview answers by attending interview sessions for international students. No shame say you are the only black person. As long as you are invited or there, it means you have something inside your head. I have competed with Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Japanese (all while speaking Japanese). I passed some and failed some. This is why you have to start early. For instance, the scholarships I currently enjoy, my competitors were Chinese. Half of the attendees at the job fairs I've attended are Chinese.

---

Even though Tensa20 does not believe in this, I considered it a back-up: network with people who have been there. I have emailed the Igbo Union President for assistance and he responded very well, but did not give assurances. To be fair, the only assurance you need is a signed offer letter. No offer letter? No job. I have a Japanese lady in the corporate space whom I emailed one night to connect me to internships (I have done four so far). She too responded well, but no assurances. I went through another Igbo girl to connect to a prominent black man in Japan. She relayed my message, but no assurance of a connection. So, to an extent, I do agree with Tensa20 here. But if it works for you, fair enough.

Best wishes!

GloriousGbola:
no. OP is a troll looking for engagement. you will realize this immediately you check his topic history

The blame is on Seun and his moderators. I have stated that some of these accounts were probably created by him then (2010s) or are created by his mods (currently) to stir "interesting" threads as a way to keep the forum "lively".

Half of these personal stories' threads on Nairaland are untrue.

vibratingpenis:
You are saying that Nigeria is not what the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria made it to be?

Yes.

Focusmind:
Some of the current ones are still in touch with home. Remember that some travelled abroad purely on economic reasons and not because they didnt like home. The problem would be their children. Some of their children may never knew their homes, grandparents and cousins in their lifetime. I have some that have taken the difficult path of bringing their children to school in Nigeria just to get to know Nigeria and their home town. One will be sending his 13 year old son to stay in my house as he would starting secondary school in September.

I agree with your first line. As for the bold, that is true as well. The Nigerian pastor here gisted me how his daughter who was less than 10 when they relocated is still fascinated with Nigeria, but his son who is two years younger than her isn't interested in anything about Africa, Nigeria or even the English language. Or the Nigerian man in his 50s who is now a grand-dad and children have never visited Nigeria in his 29 years' residence here.

You win some, you lose some.

vibratingpenis:
In essence you are telling a fellow full Nigerian citizen that some parts of the country Nigeria in which he is a citizen is unsafe for him to exercise his foundamental human right?

Understand Nigeria for what it is, rather than what you think it should be.

kkins25:
Which people? The whole muslims don't. That's half the populace already.. Christians nko?? I know many see it as taboo.

I wanted to reply to his post, but cancelled everything. The only place where pork is consumed and could be converted to other meal products other than pork is the Lagos/Ogun axis as that is where there are lots of Chinese. Elsewhere, it is not as lucrative as peddled, especially compared to goat farming.

kamalbob:
Why don't you go to your state and do it? You people will always find a way to trigger trouble and then later start stereotyping us. Pigs and alcohol is your thing so keep it there don't bring it to North.
And you may probably say you meant to sell it to the non Muslims right? This is our state, and "OUR STATE OUR RULES" if you can't follow then leave. Simple

OP is a Muslim and is from the state he wants to open his piggery.

Please learn to read before commenting.

Taigaban:
If I have this type of primary school in my area I will withdraw my children from private school. First in history East of the Niger

Amaechi did more than this during his tenure as Rivers governor.

headofclits:
absolutely no form of respect, I think you're a cheap, demented sycophant. I live in Akwa Ibom and for the first time ever, I have seen a sitting governor who's worse than Udom Emmanuel was. What has Umo Eno done ? Appointing 1 million political jobbers ? Visiting a new church every Sunday ? Paying courtesy visits to Lagos while using them as a guise to siphon money ? Nothing is working in this state; absolutely nothing. It is okay to sell cheap lies in exchange for warmed eba and soup, but do it with some shame. Unamikot

Na so things bad for Ndito Akwa Ibom State?