₦airaland Forum

Exactly. Finally, someone gets it. When I was at the Nigerian Law School, a lot of those rich ajebutter kids who studied abroad were jealous of those who had foreign passports. VERY jealous. With all their parents influence, they were stuck in Nigeria while those with British, American and Canadian passports moved back to their base when they realized that the salaries wasn't enough to sustain their lifestyle. Even now, many rich people have missed important conferences and meetings because of the limitations of the Nigerian passport. Many lawyers could not make the International Bar Conference in the States due to this very problem.

EconFinance:
Your last paragraph is so true.
Rich kids with Nigerian passports alone envy their peers that can just breeze in and breeze out

Regardless of how much money you THINK you have
That must sting you a lil bit

Let me say first and foremost that I appreciate that this post has reached front page. I didn't expect it at all. Secondly, for those usual "patriots" talking about "no place but home and being a second class citizen abroad", no where did I mention that you must stay abroad or run away from Nigeria. All i said is that with all the problems Nigerians are facing traveling for business, tourism or other reasons, they should try and get a second passport to make life easier for themselves as just having money is not enough. Dual nationality is not a new phenomenom. Celebs all around the world have it. Most Hollywood celebs have dual nationality. Many Brits are applying for second passports to grant them unlimited access to the EU market. Most South American footballers have second passports. Messi has Spanish citizenship. Do you think that he will renounce it in the name of "patriotism"?The problem with most Nigerians is that they are very close-minded and myopic. They refuse to learn about what's happening in the world. They refuse to accept that we live in a globalized world.

I never said that you shouldn't make money. In fact, money and second passport goes hand in hand. The people who have the two are the ones who actually enjoy Nigeria the most. They make up the jet set. Let me tell you something, a lot of rich kids in this country who don't have second passports are envious of those who have because they don't have the same limitations.

Ha! Let me tell you something about myself. I was born and bred in Lagos, left Nigeria after high school to the UK and lived there for approximately 13 years. I have 13 family members in the UK. I moved back to Nigeria a few years ago to qualify as a Barrister/Solicitor and I'm now an immigration lawyer specializing in both Nigerian and British immigration laws. In short, I know more about the west than you will ever know. We aren't mates.

Lannister360:
Have you lived in the west before?
If no, then you have no right to advice anyone on travel matters.

They have SECOND PASSPORTS. Their visas cannot be cancelled unless they did something dangerous such as sponsoring terrorists or money laundering. Saraki has a BRITISH PASSPORT. He has never been denied access to the country he was born in. Ben Bruce is always in and out of the States as he's an American citizen along with his kids and grandkids. Lawan and Gbajabiamila have never been denied entry abroad to my knowledge as they have second passports. Come on man. Be analytical.

maasoap:
But in the same post, you gave examples of several people with visas that were cancelled and those who were denied. In other words, you simply inferred that people like Bukola Saraki, Ben Murray Bruce, Ahmed Lawan, Femi Gbajabiamila can still have their visas cancelled or denied at any time. So, what is the point?

This is another sheep I was talking about. The ones who only think about money. Never in my post did I mention that you must migrate. I only said that you should have options in case things go wrong. Who cares about N30 million salary when nothing is working? All Nigerians talk about is money. That's why you are a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. No innovation, no development, no creativity. Only money, religion, relationships and sex. Zero foresight. I'm not shocked as you lots are very predictable.

akpunda86:
I never logged in but after reading Ur post I have to.First of all you are kid and secondly u need a gud guidance.

Wish I can guide u,making an average turnover as a non politician if 30 million every year and u want one to travel out,bros you can go for vaccation but not travel out.What is it over there,Nigeria is a sweet country.My kid broda talking like you travelled to Sweden but came back for holidays,I linked him up to a contract which he used my company to do,his gain just for procurement is 7.2 million and having seen how it is done wants to do more.
Yes our health,power,road system is bad,but what will we do.Go on vacation and see how Ur respected over there cos u ain't gonna take shit from anybody.But as an asylum seeker is insult upon insult,bros Nigeria is bad but is sweet.
Funny thing. Is it dey sweet sum dey pain sum but overthere is also painful.
Enjoy Naija by travelling out doing biz but NVR be on salary.
Cheers

That's the irony. Ministers who are supposed to be patriotic, run to another man's country to give their children better options. They know that the Nigerian passport is useless and a stumbling block to progress. So they sell "patriotism" to the gullible sheep (including those criticising me in this blog) while looking for ways to expand their options in case the country collapses.

Falseprofet2:
What you can't have
You hate
Some of the worst ranters here: screaming day and night America did this, america did that, comes from been denied a U.S visa at some point
Does America care?
Nope; they go on been the big nation they are, where even Ministers rush to go and give birth. Half of Nigeria celebrities have their kids in america; they have a reason, they are not all mad

This is what they don't understand. As long as you are poor, you are a second class citizen in your own country. Look at the female lawyer's death. If the victim wasn't a lawyer AND woman, would it have been newsworthy? Look at the death of the daughter of the former deputy Governor of Ondo State. If not for her high status in society, would her death have received such widespread media coverage in the country? Many people didn't even know about ritual killings until her death. If you aren't part of the elite or connected to the elites, no one gives a damn about you in this country.

socialmediaman:
Even in Nigeria, as far as I am my opinion goes, most Nigerians are second class citizens. If you disagree and want to test this theory, go out to Aso Rock with placards and protest against Buhari, just one slap or teargas or gunshot will reset your brain. Only the political class can do it and have meaningful impact. So you're a second class citizen if you're not rich or have political power, forget tribe or religion.

Yes, the UK's wave of popularity was 15-20 years ago. Now, it's too stressful. Is Uruguay easier than Argentina? I thought that they were the same. My only issue with Mexico is the high crime rate and political instability. There's a reason why so many Mexicans are heading towards the U.S. on a daily basis.

tensazangetsu20:
High taxes, atrocious salaries, and insane living costs. Makes absolutely no sense to move to the UK. Replace Argentina with Uruguay and France with Chile or Mexico.

Yeah, UK is not an easy place. Lived there for like twelve and a half years. Taxes are too high. It was easier when Labour was in power. Conservatives have set that country back 20 years. Still do back and forth as my extended family lives there. Ireland, surprisingly, is a better option if you are looking for UK style education and lifestyle. They are still in the EU and cost of living is slightly cheaper than the UK. Right now, with the current immigration climate, it's best to go to countries that are more lax and flexible such as Brazil, Argentina, Finland or even France. US, Canada and Australia are too competitive and expensive if you don't have enough funds.

tensazangetsu20:
Yeah of all the western countries na only UK I no fancy. Would even prefer staying back in Nigeria than moving to the UK if UK was the only japa option.

It's definitely a cultural problem. People have been wired since childhood to reason in a particular manner. The shocker is that even Nigerians in diaspora have this same mindset. A lot of them desire to move back to Nigeria not necessarily to change it but to be part of the ruling oppressive class. Living in the west doesn't enable them to flex and oppress others because the system is highly regulated. They complain about being oppressed by the white man but want to come back to Nigeria to oppress their fellow black brothers . Norwegians don't need a U.S. passport. Their passport is even stronger than the American passport and they have everything they need as you mentioned. Saudi Arabia is just packaging. Most of the wealth corner by the House of Saud.

shegzhkn:
Bro, I think it cultural & also the mental wiring of people.

Norway is also a rich country, infact they've got one of the largest Sovereign Wealth Fund in the world (over 1 Trillion USD) , they have every basic needs taken care of - Universal health care, Electricity, Infrastructure, Quality Education, etc.

An average Norwegian may not really desire a free US passport, why will I have so much money and a simple medical emergency can end me if not handled properly ??

That's the problem with Africans, especially Nigerians, most of us are very selfish and only care about our interests over others. Nigerians in particular, have a get-rich mentality. Money must be made by any means necessary even at the detriment to the community. As you have rightly said, Saudi's despite their wealth often end up in foreign hospitals for medicare. What's the point having all that money but everything around you is not working?

shegzhkn:
Amass the little resources you've got to enrich yourself while the rest of the people suffers.

It not always about money, the Saudis have more money than any African country and they also deal with these kind of problems too but just on a different scale, their elite (Mostly Royals) like to die in foreign shores e.g US, France or Switzerland.

You use the resources you have to build power and influence but low IQ people don't get it.

You have a point you know. Immigration is an expensive affair. Only a few can afford it Majority of the working class and poor cannot afford to Japa. However, it's not bad trying to encourage people to create options for themselves IF they can. Life is very unfair to the less privileged.

Studymore123:
In my ethics class, I learned that we’re all hypocrites in different ways so I know everyone got a measure of hypocrisy but let’s leave that aside.

Absolutely, you have every right to take on hypocrites. At least we have freedom of speech, so everyone is free to express their likes or dislikes. My post was not an attack on you per se but just stating facts.

Everyone knows that the US is far better than Nigeria, so if anyone is giving a contrary view, I look at the issue dispassionately and at individual circumstances. I was a guest speaker in a travel conference and that opened my eyes in the business opportunities in that industry.

The elite will always have their way. In an area I lived in PH, most of the residents have their children in foreign schools, they can afford it with ease and the children gain residency of those countries and that’s how the cycle moves.
The average Nigerian though is living from hand to mouth, so where will he get the millions to migrate, I tell such ones you better learn an in-demand skill or go and farm. The stories of grass to grace is diminishing. 80% of the Nigerians working in the big companies abroad come from wealthy families or already had good jobs in Nigeria.
I was a uni dropout and while in school, all the Nigerians I knew had parents who were doing very well but you won’t know if you’re not close to them. The others were those who had scholarships and “hacked” their way through the system.

The world is not fair, you have to “hack” your way in this life. I’ve worked in 3 continents and gained valuable insights through observation and interaction that “life nor balance”. In a matter of days, I’m done with Nigeria but have contributed my part to national development.

I must acknowledge there’re many smart Nigerians who have no business been in Nigeria. I’ll advice them, don’t give up, but for the majority that keep making us to have have long visa wait times I’ll say plan for your kids future and stop wasting your funds.

I’m not against you or anyone attacking anyone but what counts more is creating a positive impact in the lives of others. Please keep doing so.

One of the ways we do so was creating japachronicles .com

So many Nigerians, especially on blogs such as this, have this warped mindset that all you need is money. They will tell you that traveling abroad is a waste of time. So many "patriots" will tell you that getting a second passport is a waste of time and that you are still a second class citizen abroad. These "patriots" will tell you that the money and time you wasted in getting a second passport would have been used to set up "several businesses" in Nigeria. What's that saying "money is the koko!"

Yes, money is very important. However, money is not enough. If you are up to date with global news, you would know that Russian billionaires are being denied visas to many western countries for political reasons. These are guys with serious money. Look at Roman Abramovitch. Dude's visa was cancelled. This is a man who was once the richest man in the UK. Even richer than their own billionaires. We are talking about a man who has invested more than 2 billion pounds into the British economy. He's only saving grace is that he's entitled to Israeli citizenship courtesy of him being of jewish descent. Israeli citizens do not need visa to visit the UK for 3 months. Where am I going with this? If this could happen to white Russians, who are Nigerians?

If you want further reasons why having money alone is not enough, look no further than the richest black man in the planet (Aliko Dangote). Nigeria's richest man said it himself a few years ago that despite all his wealth and influence in Africa, he needs several visas to travel to multiple African countries. Yes, the man so many materialistic Nigerians use as a template for success has admitted that his vast wealth is not enough to enable him to travel to multiple countries at once. As long as he only has a Nigerian passport, he will have to apply for multiple visas at different embassies and go through so many hurdles.

Look at the situation with Nigerians in UAE (Dubai). They have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians due to the idiotic behaviour of our compatriots over there. This visa ban applies to everyone regardless of class. One could say that Dubai is not in your to do list. What about others who have business there? See the way the U.S. embassy is treating Nigerians.. They don't give a damn who you are. They are rejecting applications like it's going out of style. Even the visas issued to Nigerians is no more than 2 years. Think about it. You have to renew your B1/B2 visa every two years. That is a lot of money. Meanwhile, South Africans have a 10 year visa.Turkey has cancelled electronic visas (e-visa) for Nigerians. What used to be a simple procedure is no longer the case.

Young Nigerian, it's time to give yourselves sense. Don't listen to people discouraging you from giving yourselves options. With all the so called money they are making, what is their quality of life? Health care zero. Education zero. Infrastructure zero. A second passport gives you access to better health care, education, business opportunities and other benefits. Most of your elite have it. Bukola Saraki, Ben Murray Bruce, Ahmed Lawan, Femi Gbajamilla to name a few have second passports. They are not fools. A lot of those Nairaland diasporans have it and discourage people from getting it due to selfishness and hypocrisy.

Are you serious. For someone who dropped out of primary school, he's very smart. Even smarter than many so-called graduates. The problem with his ilk is that they will be promoting violence in the country, sending young people to their deaths while his kids are safely tucked outside the country and he himself has a plan b in case things go south.

truthsayer009:
See the link that explains it all here: https:// twitter.com/ DoubleEph/status/1083676925116248064

He allegedly also has an Irish passport.

Copy it and remove the blanks.

I didn't mention MC Oluomo. Somebody else did. MC is a U.S. citizen. He said it himself. All his kids have American citizenship. How he got it, i don't know.

shegzhkn:
If I am not mistaken you are referring to the EB5 visa, it is now 900k USD and also I doubt MC oluomo has that kind of money no matter how you want to spin this thing.

This man here has said it all. Nuff said. He has summarized the hypocritical nature of Nigerians. Many diasporians who have second passports don't want other Nigerians to have to same opportunities as them. They want to be the only ones with options. If they are so patriotic, why not renounce their citizenship and use their Nigerian passport only?? The same problem with the Nigerian 'elite'. Most of their kids were born abroad,studied abroad and reside abroad. Zaria Buhari did not give birth to any of her children in Nigeria. That should tell you something.Non of Osinbanjo's kids studied in this country. Both the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Assembly have second passports. The Adeleke clan have American passports courtesy of them studying and working there. Okocha, Kanu and half of the old guard of Nigerian footballers have second passports.

Any one who preaches that you should focus on just making money in Nigeria and not consider options is a bloody liar, hypocrite, delusional and anti-progress. Young people need to open their eyes. The value of that green passport gets worse and worse as each year passes. With the way things are, Nigerians may only have visa access to West African countries by the next decade. A second passport puts you among the elite in this country. The elites know this hence why they are discouraging many Nigerians from getting one.

Gerrard59:
Anyone who does not know this is a profound ignoramus, no ifs or buts. Those who know it but intentionally dissuade or discourage others from doing it are wicked and barbaric. There are many of them here, from Redsun (who has been in the UK for donkey years) to Sukkot (who is a British citizen) to 1Sharon (another British citizen) to my favourite - Dasparrow - a woman who loathes Nigerians and in particular Nigerian men. Hers is even crueller as she relocated from the west to Nigeria, hated what she experienced and fled to a no-name country in Central America. What does she do on Nairaland? Internet Witchcraft! She dissuades and tells young and ambitious Nigerians not to relocate abroad. What she does not say is that she has not let go of her European citizenship. Another one is EgunMogajji, who is an American citizen and a proud serial divorcee that stays somewhere in Ibadan and married a 20-something year lady. He constantly preaches that you should not bother having a second passport, but he has one and even his first daughter studies at Stanford as an American citizen. What about Nairaland's richest brostitute? Seatrade, who with his previous moniker, mocked diasporans only for him to create a thread disguising that his friend wants to know how to obtain American citizenship. https://www.nairaland.com/6742025/citizenship-investment-canada-usa#105611566 No wonder he is lurking around Covenant University or Babcock to grab a girl from an upper-middle-class family (hoping that she is a dual citizen), even though his character befits women from IMSU or Oko Polytechnic.





Additionally, THERE IS NO NIGERIAN ELITE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A SECOND CITIZENSHIP OR CHILDREN ARE PREPPED TO OBTAIN ONE Apart from skit makers who are new in the game, no notable comedian's wife birthed in Nigeria. ALL gave birth in the US, thereby making their children Americans. The same applies to musicians. It is the reason I am pissed when wicked misfits constantly vagabond this section opening their smelly mouth waaaaaa chanting that young people should not japa. You mean like Akin Alabi who hustled in the UK? Don Jazzy, who did the same? DBanj, whose dad is an ex-military officer that did the same? Mike Adenuga, who rode taxi in the US? What about Banky W whose mom worked in ExxonMobil, gave birth to him in the US and he studied at Corona Schools, the same school Osibanjo studied? Only for him to come and lie that his parents struggled, which is why they rented a flat in Yaba during the '70s. You mean the same Yaba that was home to the then middle class? Or him being a Nigerian-American married to Adesuwa, a British-Nigerian? Or his friend, the pilot, a Canadian-Nigerian who is married to Toolz, daughter of the Oniru of Lekki, who is a British-Nigerian? Or her friend Stephanie Coker, a British-Nigerian, who is married to the younger brother of the co-founder of GTB, who too is a British-Nigerian? Or Mo Abudu who is a American/British-Nigerian and son studied at Duke University? Or her erstwhile employee presenter Zainab Balogun, another British-Nigerian who married an American-Nigerian? Or the other erstwhile employee I used to crush on - Cynthia Kamalu, who married a Nigerian-American? Or Iyin Aboyeji, whose wife is an American citizen, and father worked at ExxonMobil and whose sister studied in the UK? Or Hakeem-Bello, whose daughter studied at Harvard and Stanford and ALL members of his family are dual nationals between the UK and US? Or Nnamdi Kanu who is a British-Nigerian? Or Sunday Igboho who is a German citizen or Sowore who is an American citizen?

C'mon!

There is no Nigerian elite, dead or alive, that does not or did not have a second passport to ease travel whether for leisure or business or academic-related events. I have stated it recently that visa free access is hinged on wealth not race. The reason the olodos on Twitter think it is race is that sub-Saharan Africa is home to the largest number of black people, and as a result, many black Africans are denied visas. Even at that, citizens from countries like Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and even far-flung black-dominated places like Bahamas, Bermuda and Barbados don't face similar scrutiny as their contemporaries in sub-Saharan Africa. Have you seen African Americans complained that they were denied visas because of their skin colour? Are they not black people too? But woke olodos on Twitter don't understand simple economics, the reason they spend time chanting and whining that bOrDeRs ArE rAcIsT. As if they would offer unfettered access to a poor black stranger instead of Elon Musk. Except you want to have hope that sub-Saharan countries would be as rich as Malaysia before her citizens begin to enjoy visa-free travel.

As for returning to Nigeria, trust me, many would return. One reason many would return is the weather. The new wave of emigres lived in the tropics for at least 25 years, so it won't be easy to adjust to temperate climates. My friend in Canada complains about the same thing. She told me clearly "once I attain citizenship status and the passport, G59, I am out of this place". Again, the vast majority of Nigerian elites once worked or studied abroad. From Tayo who is Paga CEO (has American citizenship) to Segun Agbaje who also studied and worked in the US to Emi Lokan and many many others. What about Okechukwu Enelamah who studied Medicine at UNN and did his MBA at Harvard? He co-founded African Capital Alliance, Nigeria's first private equity firm. Ibe Kachikwu nko? Studied Law at UNN and went to Harvard for his MSc and PhD? There is even one I used to admire who studied at Cambridge University and started his consulting business in Lagos. He, too, just like his contemporaries, is a British-Nigerian. One might say Northern elites don't do the same. That is a very big fat lie! Which child of any Northern elite studied in Nigeria? Sanusi's children studied in the UK ditto for El-Rufai's. What about Buhari? He claimed to be poor before the 2015 elections. However, ALL his children studied in the UK. Do poor people's children study in the UK? Esp when they did not attend top schools that have lot of scholarships to offer? Let's not even go to the south, where Amaechi's son is in Canada or Okorocha's son who finished from University of Manchester?

The effects of having a second and, most importantly, a strong passport cannot be over-emphasised. To buttress it, before 2010, Nigerians could travel to 76 countries without obtaining a visa. Ten years later, it plunged to 46. What do the next ten years hold? DrCheif on Twitter narrated his experience when he visited one African country. Upon the usual show me your passport, he showed the official a Nigerian passport. Even though it is visa-free for Nigerians (e fit don change sef), the official dilly-dallied. As time was going, Cheif brought out his American passport and showed the official. What did the official say? "You should have brought this out in the first place". Today, Cheif stays in Ghana. I have met a Belgian-Swiss missionary who has only applied for visa once and that was when she visited Benin Republic. She was confused about how to apply for a visa because prior to that, she had never done it. Also, the woman who owned the travel agency I bought my ticket through has travelled to over 80 countries, including places where black people are very few. Her parents migrated to study in the US, gave birth to her and siblings and returned to Nigeria. Today, all her siblings are American citizens and ditto their children. But she stays in Nigeria because she likes it there. No harm feelings. However, unlike the witches and wizards here, she encourages young people to do the same and take advantage of the opportunities. In life, always seek for more options as those with options have more opportunities. There are even foreign politicians that are tri-nationals.

Also, the aspect of entrepreneurship sef. Except for very few folks who are mostly in tech (most studied in top schools or had rich backgrounds), the most successful entrepreneurs started their businesses after working for some years. It is only in Nigeria I have read that young graduates should start their businesses even if it is POS or cyber-cafe or selling 1kg of gas. Elsewhere, young people work in companies (co)-founded by people who have worked and honed their skills elsewhere. That is how it is done. While there, you gain expertise, knowledge and network. You can decide to return to Nigeria, nobody will stop you. The Paga CEO did it after studying at two top universities, the most recent being Stanford for his MBA. PayStack folks worked for almost ten years before setting up theirs. But the online miscreants in the programming section believe anyone who knows how to type "Hello Word" should open a tech firm to create the next fAcEbOoK. Bloody olodos! Nevertheless, very few people will become entrepreneurs as there are more employees everywhere than employers, regardless of what the ignoramuses who learnt elementary economics by standing near the windows during their SS1-SS3 stages parrot. So, in the nearest future, many of your bosses will be those who did Express Entry or submitted Proof of Funds.

He most likely has a second passport. With the kind wahala Nigerians dey pass through just to get visas, I will not be surprised that he's using a second passport to cover all those trips and using faux 'patriotism' to pretend otherwise. It is not easy getting multiple visa with a Nigerian passport these days.

Majorly21:
You people easily believe everyone and everything online. If the travel history is truly his, I bet you; he have a second passport. Don't let anyone deceive you.

It is very important my brother. Having money without a second passport is worthless. Nigerian passport holders are banned from UAE (a country that Nigerians used to travel regularly like it was a neighboring country). That passport is a global pariah. So many people have been affected by the restrictions on Nigerian passport holders in many countries. Families cannot plan their holidays like before, top business people are missing business opportunities because of said restrictions and students are missing out on foreign education. I will not be surprised if Peter Obi has a second passport. Most of them do. It's their followers I pity the most. If kasala burst, they will all jump ship and leave their supporters to rot. When you can, try by any means to acquire a second passport. Your children and grandchildren will forever be grateful.

truthsayer009:
Spot on brother, this is why I'm following you.

Sincerely if I had like 50M in liquid cash, I'd just buy a St Kitt passport for myself & future family likewise. I don't like stress & too much long stories.

Most of the politicians either have British passport or European passport including Peter Obi himself If I'm not mistaken. Now he has also gotten Honorary Citizenship in Dallas. Obi Cubana has turkish passport, Cubana Chief priest & family also have their Turkish passports. I can't even mention a prominent Nigerian who doesn't have another passport to be fair. MC Oluomo is a US passport holder, He amassed enough wealth to buy the passport under the $500k US business investor scheme.

Martinez is just pained that Mbappe put FOUR goals pass him yesterday. While I am happy that Messi has finally won the trophy that has eluded him over the years, let's not forget that Argentina beat a weakened French squad. A French team that had 7 injured players. If Benzema and Kante were available, it would have been back to back world cup triumphs for France. Mbappe's teammates let him down. Nevertheless, Didier Deschamps deserves all respect as a manager. Taking a weakened squad to the finals is not an easy feat.

Dear young Nigerians aged 35 and below, I cannot stress the importance of acquiring a second passport from a functional society. In this era of globalization and technology, the freedom to travel without any restriction cannot be overestimated. It doesn't mean that you have to abandon Nigeria totally for another country. It's about having options to make life easier for you. Nigerians often brag that all you need is money and everything else falls in line. That's not totally true. Yes, money helps make life easier but it's not enough. The way foreign countries are treating Nigerian passport holders this days, money is immaterial. They don't rate your money at all. Even Dangote himself, the richest black man in the world, complained a few years ago that with all his money, he needs a visa to travel everywhere within his own continent.

Benefits of dual nationality: With a second passport, you have visa-free access to most countries in the world. No more queuing a foreign embassies and thereby subjecting yourself to rubbish. Being a dual national means that you have an option. A plan B if you like, in case you are fed up with the situation in Nigeria. That backup plan is very important with the state of the country. You can also transfer citizenship to your children and grandchildren thereby ensuring that your descendants future is secured. They will be very grateful for what you have done for them. Many parents in the 70s and 80s didn't take advantage of those opportunities and they are now regretting their actions. Having a second passport is also good for business and career advancement as you can travel anywhere for business, conferences and job opportunities without restrictions.

So, young people, if you have the opportunity, try and acquire a second passport either by JAPA or investing a significant amount of money to get one. Don't listen to people telling you to just focus on making and spending money in Nigeria. These people are short-sighted and are unable to see the big picture. There's a reason why a lot of the 1% are now acquiring second passports from countries such as St Kitts. Most politicians have second passports. You think they are fools? Saraki will never relinquish his British passport in the name of patriotism. Do you think that Ben Bruce Mr. "grow the naira" would renounce his US citizenship for Nigeria? Many rich people envy those with dual nationality as they don't have the same limitations as those without one have.

It's called poverty of the mind. Most Nigerians suffer from it. Nigerians are flashy people by nature. No nationality packages themselves like NIgerians. Being simple is a crime. It's why guys who have lived abroad for too long find it hard to adjust living in Nigeria due to the mindset of the people. In most advanced cities, riding bicycles is actively encouraged in order to reduce pollution. Many people who work at the City of London ride bicycles to work especially during the summer. The same in New York, Amsterdam, Cambridge and other cities. The mindset of a lot of Nigerians leaves much to be desired.

Bahamas95:
Most Nigerians reason like goats. Whenever they see someone riding a bicycle they either call you a poor man or they say you're behaving like a child.


I can't wait to leave this pathetic country, most Nigerians are so annoying.

Truly, Rwanda is overrated. I was there in May for a forum. There's nothing much to do in Kigali. Their biggest shopping mall doesn't compare to the Palms let alone Shoprite Ikeja. It's just very clean and organized. That's about it. Other black african countries aren't much better than Nigeria. As for Nigerians and their ignorance, lack of willingness to think outside the box and refusal to do simple research is the cause of all of this. How can you say that Nigeria is better than Brazil? The same Brazil that produces it own food, manufactures airplanes and cars? A country with immigrants from all over the world? Nigerians don't even know that the bulk of people living in Argentina and Uruguay are white. Argentina is similar to Spain in all ramifications. No African country comes close to it in terms of infrastructure. Their passport gets you everywhere except the U.S. and Canada which is not bad. Nigerians really need to think outside the box.

tensazangetsu20:
We just believe that only USA, UK, Australia and Canada exist in the world. Other countries are poor and suffering. Rwanda is overrated sha. A friend went there and hunger wan finish am he carry him bag come back. I have been opportune to visit other African countries and Nigeria is better than all the black African countries I have been to.

Let's not talk about "educated" Nigerians. Most Nigerians are extremely ignorant when it comes to global affairs and knowledge of other countries. I was in South Korea in 2019 for a law conference. Can you imagine that a fellow Nigerian was shocked that South Korea was that developed?? He thought that South Korea was a third world country!!?? The same South Korea that's more advanced than any European country bar Germany. These people are so ignorant and deluded that they don't know that other African countries have left them behind. Even Rwanda is more organized than Nigeria. One doesn't need to travel out to know more about other countries. Google, wikipedia and encyclopedia are just a click away. Nigerians are just too lazy to do any research. That's why they keep voting for idiots year in, year out.

tensazangetsu20:
Most of them are illiterates. its the same way educated Nigerians look down on south America and see it as a haven of drugs and gang violence.

Yes, young people under the age of 35, if you want to migrate out of the country please do so. I even encourage it. The country has made life a living hell for young people. Our parents' generation enjoyed the best of Nigeria but left us with a messed up system. All sectors of the economy are dead with the exception of the entertainment industry. Unemployment is sky high. The few jobs that are available can bare cover the cost of living and the high paying jobs are cornered by those with connections. Business is tough for entrepreneurs due to the cost of importation and other expenses.

It's very understandable that millions of young Nigerians are frustrated and want out. However, abroad is also very tight right now. COVID has a serious impact on many western countries. Their own citizens are struggling to maintain a job. Abroad, you will have to start from scratch as your degree is not rated over there. If you are of a certain age (36 & above), starting over isn't easy. There's also competition for jobs.

People should take the following steps if they want to JAPA successfully. Do some research on the countries you want to migrate to. You have to take it like a PHD thesis. Study everything about your intended destination. Don't just rush there. Look at the pros and cons. If you have the finances, do try to visit those countries so that you can see with your own eyes what's on ground. Think out of the box and look into non-English speaking countries. Nigerians have this mindset that only the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia and Ireland are worth migrating to. Those countries are very expensive. Very competitive and with the exception of Canada have anti-immigration policies.

You want to migrate to a country that guarantees you citizenship within a short period (5-6 years). With dual citizenship, you can always travel back and forth to Nigeria. In fact, it is encouraging to do so. Never put all eggs in one basket. Don't sell all your assets in Nigeria in the name of migrating. Many people lived to regret it. Keep some of it as insurance in case any thing happens to you abroad.

To conclude, Japaing is good but it has to be done sensibly. I am a product of the original JAPA. Living abroad has made me see life from a different perspective that a Nigerian who has lived all his/her live abroad would not understand. Life is all about choices. If you feel that you are doing well in Nigeria then stay put. Otherwise, it's good to explore other options while you are still young.

My brother, you are wasting your time trying to educate these ignorant people. These guys have a local mentality. They don't understand that immigration is a global phenomenon. Even amongst advanced countries there's immigration. The concept of having a second passport is the norm all over the world. Even American citizens like Tina Turner have renounced their citizenship for financial reasons. So many Hollywood stars have dual nationality. A lot of British people are applying for Irish citizenship because of Brexit. No need arguing with people who have never ventured outside the country. Most of them are bitter, frustrated and limited to their environment.

ednut1:
There are Americans, dutch ,indians, chinese etc all over the world who don't go to their home countries regularly. I once stayed in the guest house of a client in port harcourt and met a mexican man there. He has not been to Mexico in 7 years and has even been kidnapped once in Nigeria. But he no go back because he is earning good as an expat here. So whats the big deal if Nigerians do same What is the point of seeing your families or wife when una dey suffer or facing uncertain future ehn A man who can’t provide for his family wont have a family for long. Less than 5% of Nigerians are outside Nigeria too

I don't know why everyone's crying about the number of people migrating out of country. Nigeria is not the only country that has a brain drain problem. It is common in a lot of developing countries. If you look at the actual statistics of the number of people in the diaspora, Nigerians will not even make the top 15 let alone top 10. Just google it. China, India, Philippines and Lebanon have some of the largest number of diaspora in the world. Do you know how many Polish,Armenians and Turkish people live outside their countries of origin? Even within the so called 'developed' world, do you know how many British people are migrating to the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on a yearly basis?

We even give inflated figures concerning the number of Nigerians living in the US, UK and Canada. You have several "experts" asserting that Nigeria's population in the UK in 3 million . How can that be when the total number of blacks in the UK is not more than 2 million? As of 2011, the UK's population census estimated the total of ethnic minorities in the country to be about 6 million of which 4 million is comprised of Asians and blacks constituting 2 million. Most blacks in the UK are caribbeans of which the majority are Jamaican. Black Africans as a whole are not more than a million of which 300,000 are Nigerians. So I don't know where we get these inflated figures of 3 million Nigerians from. In the US, Nigerians cannot be more than a million. U.S. is too big for one to inflate figures.

I am not against people migrating. In fact, I whole heartedly support it as the Government has failed its people. My issue with the whole japa thing is that the Government and the masses have blown it way out of proportion. Nigeria's population as of 2022 is 213 million of which 93 million are estimated to be living below the poverty line. How many can afford to migrate?? Instead of complaining about people leaving the country, the Government should be looking for ways to provide a stable environment for the ones living in the country to succeed. If not, what we are seeing now will be nothing compared to what will happen in the next two years.

Dear men, avoid this advice. This is SIMP behaviour pro max. This is mentality is the reason why Nigerian women are the most entitled women in Africa. Men were not created to rescue women from poverty. A man of high value seeks a woman of the same standard as his companion. He does not go for women beneath him. Olumide Akpata (Former NBA President) recently married a woman from a well-to-do family. Do you think he's a fool?? Your President married his only son to the daughter of an Emir. Do you think that he's a fool? Have you ever seen the son of a world leader or from a very elite family marry a girl from the trenches Are you more Alpha than them?? There's a reason why the rich have been able to secure their wealth for more than one generation compared to the poor. I won't say more.

Prometheus666:
Men are designed heavy lifters. We are warriors, masons and mountain climbers. We are the real structures of the Universe. If a girl's father had failed in roofing their home. He is a man like us, so we should, if we can afford to, not just roof the house, but to build a new one.

I find it offensive that the OP is a man. Are men supposed to be competing with women now?

We are built to alleviate poverty. Women are designed to nourish us sexually and nutritionally. And with women, we procreate.

I will always help the poor.

This is a myopic post. It is a post that reeks of entitlement and poverty of the mind. Only women from poor backgrounds reason like this. I have never heard of a woman from a middle class/rich family ask this kind of question. Men are not after women that have money. They want a woman who will contribute to the relationship and not a freeloader/liability. Men who worked hard for their money want a woman who is educated and has a certain degree of financial independence. Men want to be with a woman who would take care of the family if anything happens to them. Men want a woman who is financially prudent and literate. Only SIMPS who are intimidated by working class women and see themselves as "real men" would want a liability who contributes nothing to relationship except her looks and household chores. Not men of the 21st century who know how difficult it is to raise a family in this trying times.

Many men have gone to their early graves in the name of "my money is my money but your money is our money". OP, have you not noticed from all the society weddings of the rich that their wives are also well to do? Give us names of any rich ajebutter is who married to a woman from a poor background? I have always said that Nigerian women from poor homes are the most deluded set of people in the country. The majority of them have a cinderella mindset waiting for prince charming to sweep them off their feet and rescue them from the clutches of poverty.

So many issues in this topic. The first one is how the hell did both parties meet? From her post, one can tell that she's educated to a certain level. Her parents are either working class/middle class. The second issue is her parents narrow view of mechanics. So many Africans look down on mechanics, painters, carpenters, plumbers and other skilled workers. It is a myopic way of reasoning as these guys have essential skills that society need and make more money than many so-called graduates. Anyone who has lived abroad will you that the aforementioned professionals are high in demand and are very expensive. If you know how much plumbers charge in the UK, Nigerians will not be chatting rubbish about them.

The way I see it, I believe that the main issue is not his profession but his level of education. Most people here ignorantly believe that her parents are against the man's profession. Its the fact that he's not educated to their "standards". I can't blame them. Most African parents have that same mentality. The baby daddy didn't package himself well when he went to see his girl's folks. All the people criticizing OP's parents are hypocrites. They would do the same if they were in their shoes. Parents want the best for their children. Love is never enough. Parents want in-laws that they can proudly show off to their friends without embarrassment. It's just what it is. The guy has to step his game up if he wants the girl's parents to accept him. The parents also have to compromise as the OP already has a child for the man. My two cents.

Segun Agbaje and his likes are completely out of touch with the reality of young people in Nigeria. Yes, abroad you are a second class citizen and there's a glass ceiling for people of color. That is true. However, you cannot blame young Nigerians for fleeing the country in drones. They are frustrated by years of incompetent government policies that have stiffed their growth. The middle class (the backbone of any society) has almost been wiped out and are leaving the country in drones.The education system is a complete shambles and only the rich can afford to send their children to private schools in this country. Only the rich can afford airfares these (both domestic and international). Only the rich can afford to go to private hospitals. The roads are a death trap and only the rich can afford to get jeeps the can circumvent all those bumps on the road. Where does that leave the working/middle class?

Agbaje came from a privileged background. He went to the most expensive schools in Nigeria and abroad. How many Nigerians have that kind of privilege? People, this man moved back to Nigeria in 1990/91. Can you compare Nigeria of then to Nigeria of now?? I was a child back then and i can tell you for a fact that the cost of living then was cheaper than now. There were more opportunities for young people in that time compared to now. The man is a hypocrite. His children most likely studied abroad and a have dual nationality like most children of the elites. Don't listen to them. They just want you to be stuck in one position and worship the ground they walk while they live a champagne lifestyle at your expense. That how most Nigerian elites are. Selfish and oppressive.

Look at the SIMPS and entitled feminists mocking the OP for using his brain and knowing his worth. OP, you did a good job. How can a girl invite a guy to lunch and not bring money to a date? So, because she is a woman she not meant to bring any money at all? Rubbish. Also what responsible woman orders a bottle of champagne, alongside meat pie and ice cream Isn't that greed? That's mental, physical and emotional poverty. You can't tell me otherwise. It's not an all you can eat buffet. What's annoying is that a lot of idiots here support her ratchet behaviour! It tells you all you need to know about the caliber of people (especially women) on this forum. They are of the same cloth as the subject matter of this topic. The men are irredeemable SIMPS who have zero standards, worth and expectations. The greatest crime a man can commit to simps and feminists is using his head instead of his third leg or "heart".

This is a very one-sided view of Nigerians living in the UK and this post reeks of entitlement. In the UK, 40% of your income is taxed. Not only that, you pay tax for everything except the air you breath. When you are in that situation, you will be cautious of the way you spend your money. As someone previously wrote, a car is a very expensive liability in the UK. On top of the taxes and insurance, there something called congestion charge for those who park their cars in very busy areas. WIth those kind of fines, you will calculate the benefits of giving any tom, dick and harry free rides.There are many Nigerians in the UK who are generous (not all) but many Nigerians coming fresh from home tend to abuse that generosity. I have lived in the UK for close to 13 years and my relatives were my bedrock. Without them, I wouldn't have lasted that long. I never had to worry about accommodation and feeding. It all depends on the friends and relatives you have.

On the issue of entitlement. when I was in boarding school, the highest an oyinbo bloke would ask me was 10 pounds and they will pay you back the following day. However, when I was in uni with Nigerians, they will ask me for 50, 60, 100 pounds and fail to pay back. In fact, they assume that it was a write off. Why won't people in the system be wary of you lots with that sort of mindset?? However, I do agree that Nigerians/black people in the UK can do better as the Asians (especially Indians and Pakistanis) are very united and have risen very fast in the social mobility ladder due to strength of unity and purpose.