₦airaland Forum

Here: https://www. nytimes. com/2025/08/26/climate/africa-china-solar-panels. html

There has been a surge of solar exports from China to African countries. "Sierra Leone imported the equivalent of more than half its total current electricity capacity, and Chad, nearly half."

This phenomenon reminded me of the popularity of Tecno phones between 2011 and 2017, which enabled the deepening of smartphones in most sub-Saharan African countries. Since these Chinese made phones were/are powered by Android, many Africans could access the Internet at very affordable prices. I cannot forget the comment by a then popular Nairalander "Bluetooth2" who boasted how he was one of the few in his circle to be on Instagram because he owned an iPhone. With Tecno and Infinix, anyone at anywhere could also be an Instagram user. With TikTok, people have an alternative to Western-owned social media platforms and can make good money from it as well.

So with the proliferation of solar panels, it means by the end of this decade, many Africans will gain access to cheap electricity for their needs and wants. In return, they would become more comfortable in purchasing "White goods", most of which would be Chinese-owned. Thus, living standards would improve exponentially just as the presence of smartphones enabled quick information to be at one's fingertips.

May the Han Chinese live forever and ever!

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Here: https ://archive .md/2025.08.29-015845/https ://www.bloomberg .com/news/articles/2025-08-29/indian-exporters-look-to-expand-in-africa-to-dodge-50-us-tariff

Indian companies are moving factories to Africa since we are less tariffied than most parts of the world. Unsurprisingly, during the negotiations by the US, aside from South Africa, Trump never negotiated with other African countries to reduce the tariffs. With AGOA coming up for renewal, some countries might be excluded, or the entire program is scrapped.

But then, I wonder how one country can be fighting every other country with sanctions and now tariffs. Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and now India. How can you continually and successfully fight these people? Something has to give way; either you win or these countries team up to stop the bullying.

BRATISLAVA:
You were right, until your penultimate sentence.

What would you say to "Men generally are greedy". Men want a home body and still want the person to bring them money, because the only thing men bring is getting money, but they can't even do that alone so create unrealistic expectations to make women fulfill their responsibilities for them and keep wanting more.
It's why a supposedly thinking man will want the body and full services of a teenager in university and still want her to give him money.

Then shame her publicly without addressing his greed. And get support from other dunderheads.

I have addressed the bold in a series of comments on Nairaland.

Today's women aren't like yesteryear's women because they earn their own money, can independently control the childbearing process, and have so much freedom to decide what they want for themselves. Most importantly, as these women now earn their money, they become assertive, which is a normal trait for humans. A woman who earns her money, can decide how many children she wants and knows the freedom she has today isn't necessarily going to be as "submissive" as her mother.

The summary is that women have changed, but men have yet to realise this profound change.

Virtuosso:
Thank you for the reply, I will be awaiting your full response later on when you're chanced

Language schools > Senmmon gakko (choose an IT course) > get a job in the IT industry. Language school and Senmmon gakko should take 4 years minimum. Senmmon gakko are specialised colleges/schools for a particular industry/field.

You could still opt for a university-styled education, but I don't know if your age would be accepted for a bachelor's program. By then, you should be 32/33. Most importantly, senmmon gakko is for two years. BSc is for four years. Funding the latter is usually tougher for most foreigners without a generous scholarship. It is not easy or literally impossible to fund undergraduate studies with part-time jobs compared to graduate studies.

From my experience so far, decent/good jobs aren't the issue for foreigners, especially in the science and engineering sectors. The issue is not scholarship provided you qualify for one. The problem is not whether there are schools or not that offer your desired course. Universities have been merging because there is a decline in enrolment numbers. Some are projected to close because fewer students are applying. So, they are becoming more open/receptive to foreign students to shore up the numbers. The issue isn't a lack of part-time jobs (you cannot rely on this to fund an undergraduate program). The koko is the language. Once you know the language, Japan becomes very easy and filled with opportunities.

I don't know if there is a Japanese language school in Nigeria like we've with Korean and Chinese. There is a functioning Japanese language school in Cameroon and this has enabled many Cameroonians to come here because at N3 level, it becomes easier for language schools to admit Africans, especially older ones.

My advice: find a way to get into a language program around so that you are able to get up to N3 level. This one I am reading new students must present a certificate to prove 150 hours of language proficiency before being admitted to study for N5 level is new to me.

casualobserver:
This is another example of the mistake NIgerians make. It’s something I have said on Nairaland many times. The number of educated people in Nigeria are not that many, the number of truly rich people in Nigeria are not that many. The rich know themselves because they are not many. The educated know themselves because they are not many and went to the same schools. The circle is small because they are not many.

I am curious, how do you define "an educated person" or in this context "educated Nigerian"?

To start with how many houses in Lagos and Abuja are worth $1m? How many Nigerians have shares in the stock market? You will be shocked! Most educated city dwelling NIgerians are not representative of Nigeria. The noise makers are the minority. In politics and as in this example in terms of wealth. You will be shocked how many Nigerians driving Gwagons and range rovers, beg or borrow money to pay school fees or how many of those cars are 2nd hand! It is why educated people speaking on Arise think they represent NIgerians and are shocked by election results or why we think there are more wealthy NIgerians than there really are. I have no doubt the spot figure is higher but most of the people who would push the figure higher are here today gone tomorrow kind of millionaires……yahoo boys, politicians, criminally sourced wealth of different flavours, govt contractors etc.

I also agree that we have fewer dollar millionaires than South Africa, which two other posters disagree with, but seeing this comment here: don't you think they might be correct? This is factoring our major markets which serve as hubs for neighbouring countries.

The figure is $1m which excludes real estate assets.

nedekid:
These people do not know what they are saying. In naija alone, just traders alone in Alaba market with $1m will be in hundreds if not 1000s, trade fair nko, oke arin, onitsha market, aluminum village, what of that place where they sell building materials on badagry expressway, traders in computer village, omo $1m aren't nothing to those guys. You then talk of the general public including government officials that use pen to steal millions of dollars. Nigerians with $1m will be at least 500k if not more.
Anyway no thanks to apc, buhari and oga at the top, that introduced wanton poverty on Nigerians, that met a country where $1m was 140m naira and now made it 1.6b just in a space of 10 years. Where others were dragging millions out of poverty, these kangaroos instead are celebrating immersing millions into poverty.
To say na 10 years ago shebi some guys for fit claim dollar millionaires based on raw cash for bank, today de de drag less than 100k.

kingsavage:
Lol even yahoo boys wey get $1m pass that figure for Nigeria alone. Dey play.

How many yahoo boys have $1m in liquid assets in Nigeria? Do we know what it means to have over 7000 yahoo boys who have $1m in liquid assets?

Hedonisco:
Very close call. But I'd choose Calabar over Uyo because it has a lower cost of living. But both cities are just something else. Clean, very good roads. Serene and chill. So many young fine and nubile babes (tertiary institutions na water), and enough hospitality/fun spots without too much madness or violence.

If you have 2 billion in slush funds and want to retire to a life of peaceful debauchery in Nigeria, where everyday is a holiday, then there's no better place than Calabar or Uyo.

Very underrated places. No be that rubbish, overpriced, overrated Lagos way those people no go take let us hear word.

Our men love sex so much. So why the hypocrisy and hullabaloo about hook up and "toto wey don gbim"?

The issue I've with a thread like this is the danger it brings to the aforementioned states. A few years ago, a similar thread had Osun and Kwara as safe states. Today, the latter is terrorised. I fear for AkwaCross future as they are now popularised for being safe states in Nigeria.

TimeManager:
A very close call, I have had the opportunity of spending some time in both states and it's so beautiful. Beautiful foods and beautiful women too. As a man, there's nothing appealing than a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful women. However, since I can't separate them, I will slightly pick Akwa-Ibom as the most peaceful state because they don't terrorise 404, in Akwa-Ibom, ekuke dey get peace of mind unlike in Cross River.

-Kiss the truth!

Dog meat eating culture is well established in Akwa Ibom than Cross River. In Cross River, it's mainly in Calabar where dog meat is eaten.

Botswana has a nationwide medical emergency crises: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78zg67x38zo

Apparently, the country has been reliant so much on diamond exports whose prices have plummeted against lab-made diamonds. As a result, the country cannot afford essential medicines, which is bad for a HIV prone country.

To think this is a country many Ndi Pan-Africanists say is one of the well-run nations on the continent 🙄

Virtuosso:
Hello Sir Gerrard, I really appreciate the help you render on this thread (platform) and to other users as well. God bless you. I've been following this thread for some while now, and as you normally say and insist that people should go through the thread right from its creation, which I've done several times. But I quoted this reply specifically cause it's almost related to my situation. But I've been a bit stuck here for the past weeks.
This is my situation, I can't apply to the MEXT scholarship due to my age ( I just clocked 30 this year ),
My only options are BSc and language school, but here's another issue: I only have a National Diploma, and on my O-level results, I failed physics, and my choice of study is Comp Sci, which cannot be accepted by the schools. So I'm left with language school. If I were to go by this last option, I could use my skill trade experience to work in the manufacturing factory after being retrained, but if there's anything I've ever wanted, it's to follow this Comp Sci path.
I will really appreciate it if you can share some advice. thanks.

I have seen your response and would respond when I am free.

A concise response: Since you don't have a bachelor's degree, language school is the most realistic means for you to enter Japan and work your way to a decent lifestyle.

I saw the post on Instagram.

This dating thing should be simple: date within your social circle/class. I find it odd that a working class man would ask a student what she brings to the table. In every part of the world, students aren't classified as workers. If you want your woman to be a working class contributor, date a working class woman. There are many women out there who earn their own money. Don't expect the same from a student.

It seems most men don't know what they really want. You cannot date a student and not expect immediate billing. Women generally are billers. So many confused young men these days.

Lol

I applaud his honesty. Well done. Just like every other Nigerian elite.

folake4u:
Quite a nice experience you have, Des.

I wholly agree with you 1000%.

I love love Northerners, stayed in the North for few yeara too; they're easier to deal with. They're honest too, if they don't like you, you will know straight up.

In my PPA for Nysç, the married MD (a Southern Christian) was moving mad and generally weird around me, he deducted my salary unjustly, all the Muslim Northerners in the company stood up for me, including the HR personnel. That was a touching experience for me. Meanwhile my fellow Southern folks just sit down dey look me.

I visited Abuja earlier this year and still hung out with the Muslim Northerners and they welcomed me well with open arms, the reception was amazing.

And this is the reason I asked Gerrard if he's seen any core Northern man bash their women on social media.

It means their cultural upbringing differs. That's why I don't take at face value every criticism labelled towards Nigerian men and women. People should be specific regarding who they are calling out.

I agree with the quoted poster about their honesty and straightforwardness. Respect the religion and don't be arrogant, everything will be fine.

Katcall:
are you planning on getting married

Make I no marry ni?

folake4u:
Both religion.

This is because Southern men are very loud.

The Northern men protect their women a lot,despite them having the highest rate of divorces every Eke Market day.

How many Northern men have you seen bashing their women on Twitter?

Apparently, it seems the notion that northern women don't have it good isn't true. On the other hand, their southern counterparts have so much freedom to pursue any goal they desire.

Yes, the divorce rate still shocks me. This means, technically, the region should have more single mothers than its southern counterpart. Yet southerners are said to abuse the marriage institution.

Nigeria is an interesting country with interesting people.

Unlimitedlucky:
Good day sir Gerald and other Boss in the house...
A quick one, I am still unsettled on this prove of funds issues.
I am will be the one to pay my first year fees and other expenses for my Masters degree, but won't have enough for the prove of funds.
I intend to use my cousin, who doesn't bare the same surname with me but related.
As per I've read few thread back, the immigration officer for COE will ask for it for verification.
I am a bit disturbed cos I won't be there to defend it as such I would if it were to be in the embassy.
What do you suggest my boss??

Either have your cousin fund your account with his side of the money or you pair your own with him. Only one name is allowed and the relationship has to be strong. Anything other than one person - directly related or evident of strong relationship - to fund your education and living expenses, you would have explanations to make.

folake4u:
I'm amused that you think Northern women aren't "open eyed".

Christian or Muslim? How come they - the men from both sides - don't complain about their women as much as those down south today every Eke Market day?

Sagefromtheeast:
How about the southern 'Islam' girls?

No idea about them. Just that the complaints about "Nigerian women" on social media by our men centers on mostly southern Nigerian women, whom southern Nigerian men "spoilt".

SmartPolician:
The only men who complain about marriage are those too broke to marry 😏 The moment a man starts making some money and he's mature, the next move is to settle down because, believe it or not, every man needs a woman and every woman needs a man.

Congratulations to Falz d Bahd Guy 👍👍

Those criticising this post should understand it's a response to those who say men shouldn't marry. The average man, especially in Africa, looks towards getting married once he's financially okay. The African men who aren't interested in marriage even though they are financially okay are infinitesimal.

Looks like a Northern Christian lady. I guess that's the solution to the "open eyed" ladies across southern Nigeria.

But then, southern men made their women what they are today.

God bless Islam.

advanceDNA:
don't ever lend money to a woman u are fvckiπg.. u will not get it back ,...

Women know how to equate money and sex in their head.....if if it's a 100milion dollars ...they will just assume the money is for the sex u have been having

OP,

Go with this advice. As a starter, don't transact any business with someone you have sexual intercourse with who is not your married partner. It is why it is unethical to have sex with your female employees. Sex distorts the conditions of that transaction. Our women would believe any money given to them, even when sex is not involved, is theirs to spend anyhow. After all, Ashmusy, the social media influencer, did not fulfill her part of an ad deal with the talk "can't you leave money for fine girl?" Until the man in question complained to VDM, who called her out, and she returned the money afterwards.

When you are transacting business with a woman, see her as a man. Don't allow breasts and yansh to becloud your thought process.

Kalulu44:
Hmmm... This talk again. Apart from Marine girls, do ghost or spirit as some people call it exist?
Now my assertion. Apart from reading it in books, seeing it in movies and stories of dem say dem say. I have never witnessed anything like Marine spirit or ghost.
.
Now guys here this stories from me. I'll be 45 by September and since I was born till now I haven't experienced or seen anything like Marine spirit or ghost and it has made me believe they don't exist. Ok, once upon a time when was 19 I took some friends to camp at a cementary for four days. I lied to them that we're looking for "sigidi" a dwarf we were told back then carries a mat and once you can collect the material from him you will become rich. But little did they know my intention was to see if I can encounter a ghost or spirit or whatever they call them.
.
We went there like boys scout and always gyrate every night while setting camp fires. Both "sigidi" dwarf o and ghost we no see anything through out our camping.
In my late twenties to 30s I became a driver. I have taking dead bodies to mortuary and cemetery on many occasions and they're times I will sleep inside my bus within the mortuary surrounding or compound or yard. I didn't nor ever experienced anything weird.
As a transporter, I have slept on the road beside thick forest, besides market that they usually say ghost do come to sell at midnight due to my vehicle breaking down and I have never experienced or seen anything like ghost or spirit.
.
[b]There was a time I took friends to a night party at Badagry beach. While the party was going on I strolled far far away from them and stood staring at the ocean for over an hour plus making some noise and gestures hoping I will see or hear from "mammy water" our local parlance for Marine Spirits. I didn't see anything or hear any weird voices or noises except from the noisy sea waves.
Still not satisfied with that, as 2022 when I was working as a Bolt driver. I have taken so many people late at night to beaches all over Lekki and environs especially Celestial church members. While the church members are consulting whatever they're consulting I have gone on my own to separate part of the beaches to see if any thing will appear but nothing. And sometimes I stay and hide to see if those Celestial church pastors and prophets will invoke any spirit out but nothing. Instead after their prayers and incantations they throw sweets, biscuits, soaps, candles and what not inside the ocean.[/b]
.
So all these has made me conclude that both Ghost or Marine spirits or mammy water doesn't exist in my own believe o.
I have lost both parents since over 8yrs now and not once has anyone appears to me like other people used to say.
So I want anyone who has seen or experience this creatures to come tell us his or her experience and not "dem say dem say" somebody told me.

Your experiences are very worthwhile, and I applaud your honesty.

It is actually a good field to research.

tunapawizzy:
He does not necessarily need to have the 50million naira now to come to the US to go to school, if he has a good strategy.
-If he has a Bachelors Degree. there are Universities where his semester fee will not be up to 10k, or lets even say 10k. I will advice him to target Winter Semester start. That way after his first semester at the end of April, he has May to August to try to raise major part of tuition for the second semester, he also has that period to look at the possibility of transferring to another school that can offer him bigger scholarship...na so e go push am push am till e go end.
- It is also not out of place to switch to college, so he can have time, less tuition and just be in the country legally while he tries to figure what he needs to do. This will be his last resort.
- if he already has a good Masters degree result from Nigeria and he is willing to do a PhD, he even has the possibility of getting a Green Card before the end of his PhD-if he follow who know road. His PhD fully paid with sufficient monthly income for his living

The people who japa'd via academic route to the UK have it made it seem like there is nothing like scholarships. I keep reading relocation via school costs 20m, 50m, 40m etc. Scholarships exist. Why don't they target countries with scholarships than spending half of 100m to fund their japa plans?

Wimkeh:
If a woman starts making money, she suddenly doesn’t care about men or even procreation. But if she was still struggling, she’ll want a man to procreate with.
Could it be that God knew what he was doing when he made man the sole head? Cause it look like if women start becoming like men, they will refuse to procreate and that will lead to drop in birth rate or even extinction.

The changing demographics have it that, on average, educated women now earn their money, and in some cases, earn more than men. Also, the cultural barriers/restrictions that prevented women from accessing some economic opportunities have ceased or can be bypassed (the woman can easily and confidently travel out to a different location). Research studies have proven over time that educated and working couples have fewer children compared to their non-educated counterparts. Then, there is the cultural belief that there is more to life than having children. Now, the cultural belief that women MUST marry is even dying off. In the next decade, we will have so many women who deliberately choose not to marry or decide to have children on their terms without the presence of a father/husband.

To a significant proportion of educated women who earn their own money, the question is: What does a man bring to the table since I earn my own money? Remember, women are naturally hypergamous, and with their inclusion in the labour market, at least half of the economic opportunities and jobs have been taken over by them. Thus, leaving men with 50% of the jobs and economic opportunities to compete for. So, we have more women who earn than some men and fewer men, who earn the highest, whom these women are gunning for.

In summary, two factors contributed to women being able to choose whether they want marriage or not:
- Birth control
- Ability to earn their own income.

This applies to nearly all cultures. It is why I argue that the world today is a woman's own. It only becomes a man's own if the man is well-off.

ndidibabe:
Very funny that you claim to have a good job abroad and you are telling someone not to japa. Isn't that contradictory on its own?

Well, to be fair, it's not everyone who should japa. Conditions differ, ditto countries. I wouldn't advise anyone who has worked to build himself in Nigeria to sell everything off just to japa.

press9jatv:
japa to the great country if you love your self. Either building mini flat or getting land won't solve issues in the long run. Japa to either UK, Canada, Germany, USA or Australia. Just japa to pro immigrants country that will help you financially here. Alot of people that japa to pro immigrants countries 5 years ago are now the one buying huge properties in Nigeria. Once you have enough money, you can buy plots of lands and also build house of your choice. Japa in academic route and rest your head small. Just give yourself a target and also pray along with it. In 3 - 5 years, you will have been silent millionaire. Japa if you have the means and the resources.

OP, the bold is accurate.

Since you intend to japa via the academic route, try to get a scholarship. It helps a lot and eases your financial standing when you live in the country. Meanwhile, open a domiciliary account to save your converted cash.

Building house for rents ties your money down and badly so. You are better off paying for the guesthouse lease than building for rent.

Jman06:
Not every older man experiences er.ectile dysfunction! There are healthy men even in their 60s who still retain natural e.rection without using drugs. Some of you just assume that once a man reaches certain age, he ceases to achieve e.rection. That's fallacious!

On average, a healthy 60 year old man has weaker erection ability compared to a healthy 30 year old man. I'm comparing apples to apples. Averages. I'm not interested in one-off cases. The average is that: the younger, the better ceteris paribus.

chime11:
Yeah, I read their policy, which includes a refund policy. However, it doesn't specify how much needs to be paid before the COE is issued. They only stated their process, which involves sending the required documents, then they will confirm if it meets their requirements, pay program fees, and then they'll apply for COE. But according to their FAQ, the one-year fees must be paid in advance. They don't accept installments.

You should have stated that it was a language school. Yes, language schools need full payment. No installments

Kukutente23:
Was it a university? There are boys only secondary schools that are govt owned. Are you aware of any govt owned boys only university anywhere in the world except maybe in Islamic society

To be fair, if only male secondary schools can exist, and they do exist across the world, why not a single gender university? If people don't want something to escalate, they shouldn't initiate it.

If we're to condemn only female universities, we should also condemn or eradicate single gender secondary schools.

Agugbadin:
If it is true then it must be the only all female University in the world. That is unbelievable amd does not encourage research which normally should not be gender based.

Lol

There are only female universities in South Korea and Japan. A whole lot!

onuman:
Tinubu is taking Nigeria deeper into Islamic extremism.
I still remember how Lagos literally became an Islamic enclave when Tinubu was Lagos State Governor.

When and how did Nigeria's most cosmopolitan state become "Islamic enclave"?

dederocs:
All these religious movement unnecessary, Nigeria is a secular nation. Religion is personal, there are lots of almajiris to feed, we have enough universities already, why is the seperation of man and woman necessary at the University level. Presidency should focus it's signature and ascent to serious things that will develop Nigeria. Boost production, agriculture, processing of raw materials etc, this is a waste, we have enough universities already.

It's not an islamic university, but an all-female university. The founder just happens to be a Muslim. We've strict Christian universities in the country.

Right to choose applies to all areas.