₦airaland Forum

johannesburg:
So what are you saying now. Does been spiritual to the core as you express here means that temptation and calamities won't come?

In 2019, Chukwudi* (38) firmly believed relocation would solve all his problems. So, he emptied his savings, sold everything he owned and took loans to fund a new life abroad. However, less than 24 hours after landing, immigration officers put him on a plane back to Nigeria. Seven years later, he’s still recovering from the fallout.

As Told To Boluwatife

Seven years have passed since my unfortunate attempt to leave Nigeria for a better life in a different country. Yet, I still struggle to talk about my experience. I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from the embarrassment and pain I suffered.

In 2019, I was 31 and convinced that escaping Nigeria was the only way to move my life forward. I was tired of my office job at a mid-sized logistics company in Lagos, and even more frustrated by the quality of life I could afford on my ₦60k salary.

I lived in a tiny self-contained apartment and couldn’t do anything besides go to the office and church every week. I couldn’t even dream about getting married or owning a car.

Meanwhile, everywhere I turned, someone was preparing to relocate or had already relocated. A former secondary school classmate moved to Germany and began posting pictures of snowy streets in our alumni WhatsApp group chat. A cousin left for the UK and started sending videos of his new apartment. Even someone from my office was talking about their plans to leave.

Everyone in my life was moving forward while I was stuck in one position. So, naturally, I started thinking about relocating too. Unfortunately, I had no money to fund any japa dream.

A colleague at work introduced me to a travel agent who explained a pathway that involved entering an Asian country with a short-term visa and arranging longer-term options after arrival. He spoke with confidence and gave examples of people who had successfully travelled the same route.

It sounded like a great plan, but he also quoted ₦15 million for the entire process — including visa processing, flight cost, accommodation arrangement and settlement support. The cost was too much for me to even imagine, let alone have somewhere.

Still, once the idea entered my head, I couldn’t let it go. For weeks, I thought only about how to raise the money and japa. It got to a point where I regularly daydreamed about finding dollars on the floor or someone mistakenly sending ₦15 million to my account.

I also started researching the japa process on my own. I realised I wouldn’t need up to ₦15 million if I did everything myself without a travel agent. Based on my findings, I estimated ₦10 million would finish the process, and I’d still have extra to hold for the first few months after I arrived in the new country.

So, I decided to start small and raise the money slowly. I convinced myself I’d somehow raise ₦10 million.

First, I liquidated my entire life savings of about ₦700k to start the visa application process. Next, I sold my late father’s acres of land in the village for ₦3 million. That move caused some issues between me and some extended family members. They argued I shouldn’t have made that move without their approval, but I didn’t really care what they thought. My only focus was on leaving the country.

And it seemed like things were working out in my favour. I got a six-month visa on my first try and still had an extra ₦2 million in my account. I only needed to raise about ₦6 million more to reach the ₦8 million I estimated for flight costs, accommodation and settlement budget.

For accommodation, my colleague had linked me up with someone living in the country I was planning to travel to, and he’d promised to help me get a place. I just needed to send ₦3 million to him.

For the next five months, I tried everything to raise ₦8 million.

I started by taking loans. At first, it was from people close to me: my elder brother, two cousins, and a church member who ran a small cooperative. When that money finished, I started asking friends. Then friends of friends, and even people in my office. Before long, I had borrowed money from more than 12 people.

I told everyone the same thing: once I settled in Asia, I would start paying back immediately. Everybody believed me because at that time, it felt like moving abroad was a shortcut to success. Once you entered, your life automatically changed.

When the loans didn’t fetch me the money I needed, I started selling my things. My TV, generator, wardrobe and even my bed. At some point, I was sleeping on top of my clothes on the floor. I convinced myself I would eventually need to sell everything off when I was travelling anyway.

As my visa expiry date drew near and I saw no sign of raising the full amount I needed, I grew even more desperate. I decided to sublet my apartment without my landlord’s knowledge. I collected ₦1 million for two years’ rent from a former schoolmate’s brother and told him to lie to the landlord that he was my brother who had come to stay with me from the village.

After all my fundraising efforts, I was only able to raise an additional ₦4 million, bringing my account balance to ₦6 million. By then, I had only one week left on my visa.

The delay had also made it impossible for me to buy plane tickets in advance at a lower price. I eventually spent ₦2.8 million on tickets. After I sent the ₦3 million to the guy who had promised to help me with accommodation, I had just ₦200k left. Still, I believed I could easily find work when I arrived in the new country.

I travelled with that belief. I remember my excitement that day. My siblings took me to the airport, and we took countless pictures and videos. My mum even called and sent several prayers over the phone. Everyone was happy for me.

On the plane, I was lucky enough to sit in a window seat and took even more pictures. I kept telling myself, “My life is about to start.”

I didn’t know it had already ended.

After two layovers, I finally arrived at my destination. At immigration, the officer stared at my passport for a long time. Then he started asking several questions about the duration of my visit and how much money I had.

Remember, I only had a few days left on my visa. Well, I told him I was there on a short two-day vacation to tour the country. I couldn’t tell him I didn’t plan to return.

Now that I think about it, my “vacation” story was too foolish. Who would’ve believed I was only there for two days when I travelled with three big bags?

The immigration officer called another officer, and the two spoke for a long time in a language I didn’t understand. Then they took me into a room and started asking me detailed questions. At some point, they even asked if I had paid someone to help me disappear after entry.

I kept insisting I was just visiting. But they didn’t believe me. I spent that night in an airport detention room with three strangers. Nobody explained anything or told me what would happen next.

The next morning, the immigration officers handed me a document and said I would be returned to Nigeria immediately. They said my visa timeline was suspicious and they’d prefer to remove me from the country before any overstay occurred.

Just like that, within 24 hours of “relocating,” I found myself on a plane heading back to Nigeria. It felt like a very bad dream. I didn’t even know whether to cry or laugh. Everything happened so fast.

The reality of my situation hit me fully when I landed in Lagos. I had no home and nothing to my name. I’d sold everything and taken multiple loans to raise ₦8 million to travel.

Now, I was back to square one and even worse off than before, owing almost ₦3 million with no hope of how to pay it back.

For the first few weeks, I couldn’t face anybody. When relatives called for updates on my trip, I had to tell them the truth. News of my deportation travelled fast, and creditors started calling to ask when I would start repaying their money. I stopped picking up calls and eventually had to switch the phone off completely.

I initially hid in my brother’s house, but when the shame became too much, I ran to my village. The people there also knew about my failed relocation, but at least they wouldn’t come to me every day to ask about Asia. Even in the village, gossip from Lagos got to my ears. How most people thought I had run away with their money, and were cursing and mocking me.

It was a shameful period for me. I kept imagining how everyone expected me to be doing well abroad, but I was back with absolutely nothing. I had never heard of someone who spent less than 24 hours in a country before deportation. I wanted to die. I even tried to commit suicide twice, but my relatives rescued me.

Seven years later, I’m slowly rebuilding my life. I returned to Lagos last year after spending the last few years working with a cousin who runs a small building materials shop.

I’ve managed to repay some of the people I owed. Most of them eventually forgave my debt. I also have a better job now. My pay is still not much, but I’m surviving.

The trauma of this experience still hasn’t left me. I have nightmares about it from time to time. In my dreams, I’m coming down from a plane, and big, muscled men suddenly rush at me and push me back inside. Sometimes, I wake up crying.

Now, whenever people around me start talking about japa plans, I just keep quiet. I can’t go through that suffering again.

I know Nigeria is even worse now, and I still want a better life. But for now, I’ll try my best to find that life here.

esnbrutality:
Let the dissolution take place first and let each country deal with their problems. Atleast tribalism won't factor into Governance and development.

Each country will know how to handle themselves.

Simple.

esnbrutality:
Support DISSOLUTION of NIGERIA so you can enjoy Lagos alone.

For the people of Mile 12 Central in Mile 12 Area of Ikosi Isheri LCDA, Lagos, the future is bleak. And this is because their present is being demolished right before their eyes.

In Nigeria and several parts of the world, houses are more like peace of mind and insurance, especially for the landlords. This is because the landlords and property owners see them as potential income earners as well as place of abode, when they retire from active working life and waiting to breathe their last. It is also why sudden demolition of such properties attracts lots of emotions, and culminates in lots of negative implications such as disillusionment, stroke and death

At the last count, residents of the community, tucked behind the popular Mile 12 food market, led by the LCDA Chairman, Joshua Tunde Ogundele, say over 200 houses in their community have been demolished by agents of the Lagos State government, rendering them homeless and hopeless. Specifically, they finger LASBCA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

According to Ogundele, it all started on the morning of December 15, 2025.

“The illegal demolition of our homes started by 8.30am on December 15 (2025). They just came with their bulldozers, touts, armed policemen; without any prior notice, and by the time they left that day, over 200 houses had been pulled down –homes, hospitals, schools, mosques and churches.”

For this reason, Ogundele and his people have staged several peaceful protests – to the Lagos State House of Assembly (December 17 2025); demonstration rally in their community (December 22) where they invited the media to witness their predicament, and written several petitions and overtures to the powers that be. But all that did not deter them, as they claimed the bulldozers have repeatedly.

Curiously, the people claimed they are in the dark as to why the Lagos State government could suddenly wake up and start demolishing their homes

And this was why they came out for another peaceful protest last Monday March 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly. According to their chairman, they would not cease making their case “until the Lagos State government steps in, stops the demolition and even pays compensations for the houses already demolished; and give us rest of mind in terms of a written letter, giving us assurance that in the future, such a thing will not happen.”

On this day, the scores of residents stationed peacefully at the entrance to the House of Assembly, sang appeal song all day, and carried banners with inscriptions such as: “SANWO-OLU STOP THE DEMOITION NOW!… NO TO FORCEFUL EVICTION… and MILE 12 RESIDENTS: WE EED YOUR HELP, PLEASE STOP THE DEMOITION. OUR HOMES, OUR RIGHTS.

Ogundele speaks again: “We are here to appeal to our honourable members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. We have also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and appealing to him again, to step in and stop the demolition of our houses. The demolitions in our community have continued despite our appeals; and they have given us absolutely no reason. We have our C of Os, we have building permits; and let me shock you, two commissioners that served under former Lagos State governor, the Late Alhaji Lateef Jakande have their houses there – talking about the Late Funsho Williams and Commissioner Benson; he’s still alive. If these place was acquired or not suitable for building houses, we’re sure these people who worked with the government would have known. We also have a layout; so we cannot fathom why they are demolishing our houses.”

Apart from rendering them homeless, Ogundele said the implications have been dire.

“As we speak, many have died. Just a few days ago, one of our imams died, because his house was also demolished. He died of hypertension. We also have many of our Hausa neighbours who died in transit, while relocating to their hometown because their homes in Lagos were demolished and they had nowhere to turn. The last time they came, they even demolished one of the three hospitals in the community. As we speak, they have visited our community with their bulldozers four times: December 15
December17, January 9 and February 13; and each time, they left us in deep sorrow.

Accuses Ikosi-Isheri LCDA chair of complicity

“On December 17, precisely while we were demonstrating at the House of Assembly, they sneaked into our community and continued. The irony is that while we were meeting with the chairman for Lands and Planning in person of Sylvester Ogunkelu, Member representing Epe Constituency 2, and he was assuring us there would be no more demolition, they sneaked in and continued the demolition. They demolished the hospital against his promise. We later realised that it was our LCDA Chairman, Princess Samiat Bola Bada has a hand in it, that she gave them the order to demolish our homes.”

Unfortunately, the lawmakers were not on ground to receive them this Monday, as they were said to have all gone for the State All Progressives Congress (APC) congress holding that day. They were received by Sergeants at Arms led by one Olayinka, who later took Ogundele in to submit the reminder letter.

Another female resident, Fagbemi Anuoluwapo corroborate all that the CDA chairman said, stressing that “they gave us just one hour to pack our things. Some of us came out pleading with them almost naked, yet they showed no mercy. As we speak, the number of deaths on account of these demolitions is uncountable. If you come to our community, it’s like a war zone; yet there is no war. We are peaceful people.”

I have no hand in their predicament – LCDA chair, Bada

However, the chairman, Ikosi Isheri LCDA, Princess Samiat Bada, speaking with The Nation on phone vehemently denied any involvement in the demolitions, when she pointedly asked this reporter: “You are a journalist, from your knowledge, can an LCDA chairman carry out such a demolition? How possible is it. They may have mentioned my name, but the truth is that the State Government is the owner of their land. The state government knows their property, and the demolition is going on because they now want to take possession of their property.”

MasterTeeUSA:
In Europe and big cities like NYC, Driving a Car is a luxury. You pay for car note, insurance, petrol, parking spaces and so on. Most people here use private cars for Uber and Lyft. It makes a lot of sense to turn a car from liability to asset. My Dad did this while I was younger...painted his car and would take people at UCH going to Mokola on his way home from work...after work, the amount of people looking for transport is usually massive. He drops me off at home, then do free trips from Sango to Mokola...that area is usually busy too. He built his first house before retirement and invested his salaries. Now, the children are benefitting annually from this. Manage your expenses, increase your revenue, change liabilities to assets.

If you need more life advice, email me

MaxInDHouse:
In most cases questions misrepresents what exactly people have in mind so are you asking for the skin color of Jesus or God Almighty?🤔

helinues:
Married man, price of everything in other countries have remained the same since a decade now

Continue nagging instead of doing your hustling smartly

helinues:
Those who are truly going through hardship don't even have a bicycle

Many women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have converted their private cars into informal taxis, popularly known as “kabu-kabu”, in order to make ends meet.

Some of the female drivers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, that the move was necesitated due to the economic hardship.

NAN reports that the trend is becoming more visible as the women are seen at major junctions and bus stops across the city to pick passengers.

Many private car owners nowadays, most of which were females in luxury cars, now pick up passengers heading to different parts of Abuja.



A driver, Mrs Jane Nwaogara, said the development was largely driven by rising transportation costs following increase in pump price of petrol.

According to Nwaogara, the mounting household expenses such as school fees, rent and food, calls for additional sources of income.

“The economic hardship is biting hard. I have so many bills to pay including my children’s school fees, feeding, utility and medical bills, among others.

“Above all these, is the increasing cost in pump price of petrol.

“My salary cannot settle all of these, so I need to find additional income, thus my involvement in kabu-kabu business,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Blessing Okafor, a mother of three who operates along the Lugbe to Area 1 route, said she started conveying passengers earlier this year to cope with rising household expenses.

“Things are very difficult now. School fees, feeding and house rent are not easy to handle with just one source of income,” she said.

Okafor said she decided to use her car to pick passengers during peak hours after realising that many commuters struggled to find affordable transport.

“ I usually park at the junction in the morning and evening. Sometimes people are surprised when they see a woman driving kabu-kabu, but it is the only way I can support my family,” she said.

Another driver, Mrs Habiba Moses, said the increase in fuel prices and the cost of living had made it necessary for many families to look for alternative income sources

“When fuel price goes up, transport fare also increases. Many people cannot afford the regular taxis anymore, so they enter our cars,” she said.

According to Moses, the income from conveying passengers helps her to buy fuel, pay utility bills and meet other family needs.

ogashman:
Even DJT went to pay them tribute.

See how they respect people who have served America.

Over here, their dead bodies are thrown to the back of a truck like garbage.
No proper burials talkless of the president attending them.

We watch videos but don't learn a thing.

Wealthyonos:
For your mind you made sense abi? You're owing someone money, without remorse, you will still go ahead to sue... Rubbish and ingredients.. If you had paid the debt, all these shots wouldn't happen... Got that?

Kobojunkie:
@ Ironfaceman, the following is in response to your post, "Does The Koran Support Terrorism?"

First, please pick up or download a copy of "A Two-Hour Koran (A Taste of Islam)" and "Sharia Law for Non-Muslims (A Taste of Islam)", both by Bill Maher, if you are not versed on what the Quran and Hadiths say on any subject. These are condensed, unbiased documents to help you and anyone who wishes to know about Islam. 🥱🥱

Nairaland seems to hate it when one tries to post facts about Islam. That much I have come to realize at this point. So, to honestly answer your question, I would suggest that you pick up the books above and try to read through them for yourself. The first book contains at least 100 references commanding violence against those who are not Mohammedans. And the second book details the conquests carried out by the founder of the political system that is Islam, all under a period of about 23 years, against people who did not care for his ideology. 🥱🥱

The primary reason why those who claim to be moderate in their beliefs do not speak out against the atrocities is that they understand that even that aspect that they do not engage in is part and parcel of their very belief system. 🥱🥱

Seun

Mynd44:
Not necessarily, you can't say every of the people in the riot were criminals or perverts. This one person among them is just the exception and he can't be used to describe everyone of them.

He is a criminal and he has had his.

PS: I think granting them amnesty was a stupid idea

A Florida handyman who was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison for molesting two children had been convicted of storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

Andrew Paul Johnson, 45, is among several Jan. 6 defendants who have been charged with new crimes since Trump’s sweeping act of clemency for Capitol rioters. On his first day back in the White House last year, Trump pardoned, commuted prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of cases for all 1,500-plus people charged in the attack.

Johnson was convicted last month of two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and one count of electronically transmitting material harmful to a minor, according to prosecutors in Hernando County, Florida. County Circuit Judge Judge Stephen Toner handed down Johnson’s life sentence.

Sheriff’s deputies began investigating the child molestation allegations against Johnson in July 2025. One of his victims told investigators that the abuse started around April 2024, several months before Johnson was sentenced for his Capitol riot conviction.

Johnson told one of his victims that he expected to be compensated for being a pardoned Jan. 6 defendant and would be putting the child in his will to inherit any leftover money, according a sheriff’s office report.

“This tactic was believed to be used to keep (the child) from exposing what Andrew had done,” the report said.

Investigators found sexually explicit messages that Johnson exchanged with one of his victims on the Discord messaging app, according to Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office.

“In the messages, Johnson attempted to have the victim download another application for a more private conversation and encouraged the victim to delete their messages afterwards,” Gladson’s office said in a news release.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg in Washington sentenced Johnson in August 2024 to one year behind bars after he pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges stemming from the riot. Johnson had asked to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming that he was pressured into it, but the judge rejected his request before sentencing.

Johnson, of Seffner, Florida, was carrying a bullhorn as he marched to the Capitol after attending Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House. He entered the building through an office window that other rioters had smashed, according to federal prosecutors. Johnson cursed and yelled at police officers after they used tear gas to disperse the mob of Trump supporters, prosecutors said.

Stephen0mozzy:
What of foreigners from chad, Niger and the rest wey nor even need visa; dem just dey swim through the net, i mean border.

😅 - na the ones wey even wan spend their foreign exchange we go pursue.