₦airaland Forum

Augustenite:
Even some of them that were deported by Trump are claiming they came back on their own.. lies

Love800:
I have a question.

Why don't they want to die there(in the USA or UK)?
Is an honest question pls. Thank you.

Love800:
The main reason i see here is discrimination(racial abuse). The foreigners feel that they are not welcomed in abroad. Na normal thing sha. But me, once i go abroad, that won't affect it me!

EDGEof2MORO:
even in Nigeria, there are places you will not be welcomed as a fellow countryman. so wetin be discrimination abroad wey person never see for naija?

all those ones crying discrimniation na people wey believe say the whole world suppose welcome dem because dey exist. Abroad don give dem reality check

you be village champion and the world is not your village

Ewedegubbler:
coming back home this year. I get money wella. but I am just tired of living abroad. Naija wait for me

tunapawizzy:
Don't even mind the poster. One of the people whose story is even mentioned, is building an event center in Nigeria, she said they gave her initial quotation of 200million naira and she does other small businesses too. Poster will hide that part of the story, but only come here to say the person is returning to Nigeira because she is depressed abroad.

CoronaVirusPro:
Experience is the teacher!

Those are few of the brave ones who have the guts and nerve to return. Many still cannot accept that reality and will rather die there.

I do read that statement saying “Comeback back home of abroad isn’t good” it mostly comes from people who have not seen the other side.

Just pray you never get to a point where returning will be close to impossible.

You will know why 20 years abroad is not a flex. You think thru don’t want to come home? It’s because there is nothing to show for those years. They believe their status is secret being abroad than relocating back where everyone will know.

Like I said, experience will teach you.

kpankpangolo:
The weak returned. Nothing new.

chrisifeanyi:
When you Re rich and fulfilled you will want to come home and identify with your people.
No place is like home. You will be happy to die in your country home having made a successful life than dying abroad

EDGEof2MORO:
even in Nigeria, there are places you will not be welcomed as a fellow countryman. so wetin be discrimination abroad wey person never see for naija?

all those ones crying discrimniation na people wey believe say the whole world suppose welcome dem because dey exist. Abroad don give dem reality check

you be village champion and the world is not your village

kpankpangolo:
The weak returned. Nothing new.

Arshley:
You guys allowed village people to win?
OMG!!!
You need to know that the worst of USA is the Best of Nigeria. The difference is so much that u can't even dare compare.

chaloskyx:
Those who returned are people who travelled illegally and dint have the required documentation to get a job and secure a stable life hence why they came home for those who have their papers they are doing very well

dododawa1:
An increasing number of Nigerians who previously migrated in pursuit of better opportunities have started returning home, citing unmet expectations and depression in their host countries.

The development is a reversal of the popular “Japa” trend, which has seen millions of Nigerian youths migrate to Europe, America and Asia in search of better living conditions and job opportunities.

The Japa Trend
In 2023, the International Organisation for Migration reported that approximately 260,000 Nigerians approached them for assistance to migrate, with the United Kingdom being the primary destination of 80 per cent of them. According to the Nigerian Immigration Service, over 3.6 million Nigerians migrated to other countries within two years.

The NIS Migration Information Data Analysis System showed that about 2,115,139 persons emigrated from Nigeria in 2022, while 1,574,357 left the country from January to September 31, 2023, making it a total of 3,679,496 that had left Nigeria within two years.

But now, some of these Nigerians are returning home to rebuild their lives. Some of the returnees who spoke to Saturday PUNCH said life abroad was not as easy as it seemed, and many of the challenges they faced were hidden behind the glamorous images often shown to others.

"Reality Always Far From Expectations" - Judith Okoli.
A 30-year-old nurse who claimed to have spent two years in the United States, Judith Okoli, said after moving abroad in 2017 for career advancement, the reality of life in the US was far from her expectations.

Okoli, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said despite earning a steady income, the high cost of living, isolation, and racism left her feeling unfulfilled. According to her, she endured “a lonely life.”

Okoli recalled facing discrimination in her professional life and a persistent sense of exclusion that constantly reminded her that she was not part of the system. “You just never feel welcomed, whereas in Nigeria, you feel at home,” she added.

Despite earning a decent income, she explained that the high cost of living in the US left little to show for it. “My rent alone was over $3,000 monthly. By the time you pay for bills, car notes, insurance, and taxes, you begin to wonder, what is the point?”

Driven by a desire to reconnect with her roots, Okoli decided to return to Nigeria in 2019. Her transition was not seamless; early business ventures in beauty and marketing failed, but she eventually found passion in farming.

She said, “Farming became something I could grow and develop. Five years later, I now have a business I can watch over and expand. My side hustle is now my main hustle.”

She urged Nigerians abroad to reconsider making foreign countries their permanent homes. “It should be a temporary place to get what you need and come back to do what you truly want,” she emphasized. “Many have been abroad for 10 years and cannot afford a flight home.”

Okoli noted that with proper planning, a consistent income stream, and a commitment to reinvest at home, returning to Nigeria could bring fulfillment, reconnection with family, and a sense of peace that money can’t buy.

“I planned. I failed. I went back. I re-strategised,” she said. “But now I’m back for good, and this time, I’m doing it right.”

"Mental Health Troubles Made Me Returned Back To Nigeria" - Kenny Igho.

In a TikTok video, Kenny Igho, who recently returned to Nigeria from the United States, said her decision to move back was driven by unhappiness and mental health struggles. Kenny, a mother of two, emphasized that her decision was not impulsive but a gradual realization that she needed a change for her well-being.

She said, “The reason is because I was not happy; I was troubled. I didn’t have peace; I was anxious. Every little thing got me anxious, and I realised I was sliding into a subtle depression, so I’m like, I don’t think I want to do this anymore.

“It wasn’t a spontaneous decision; it was gradual. But at this point, I would say yes, my mind is fully made up. So, am I nervous? No, not anymore. I used to be before I thought of what to do in Nigeria, because going to Nigeria, you have to be sure; it is the truth. You have to know what you want to go and do.

“I have spoken to people. I have told them about wanting to go, and you realize that a lot of people are in your shoes, but the only thing that is stopping them is fear. And for real, I was listening to somebody and he said the barrier between you and your success is fear.”

"I Quit My Job In The US" – Doctor Julius Oni.
Another returnee, Dr Julius Oni, an Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, said he quit his job at Johns Hopkins University in the United States and moved back to Nigeria with his family. Oni, in a video on TikTok, disclosed that he returned to Nigeria after spending 25 years in the US to set up a musculoskeletal care facility.

He said, “Six weeks ago, I relocated from the US to Nigeria. I took a leave of absence from my job at Johns Hopkins, sold my house, sold cars, packed my bags alongside my lovely wife and beautiful children and moved after 25 years of living in the USA

“I know at this point, some of you may call me delusional or even crazy, but I’m neither. I’m just a man full of conviction.

“I happen to believe that Nigerian patients deserve great care, too. As part of my mission, I have started DOC Medical Nigeria, which offers high-quality musculoskeletal care to the population. Part of my effort is to provide access to care so that people do not have to travel to access high-quality orthopedic surgery care.”

"My Village People Did Not Force My Return" – Returnee
Another returnee, Summer Aku, revealed the criticism she faced after making her decision to return to Nigeria.

“When I shared my Japada story, some people said my village people had dragged me back to Nigeria. There was nothing people didn’t say,” she recalled. Aku expressed frustration over being questioned about her return to the “land of her ancestors”.

She noted that many Nigerians, especially those who had never lived abroad, often failed to understand such decisions, adding that explaining to them was a waste of time. Now running a short-let/Airbnb business in Nigeria, Aku shared how her guests were often Nigerians returning to bury their loved ones.

“It saddens me that many never saw their parents alive, but come back just to bury them. They always express deep regret. Many people don’t realise this life is not a rehearsal; this is it. There’s no second chance to do most things right,” Aku said.

Despite the challenges in Nigeria, she emphasized the irreplaceable value of home. “It’s unfortunate the problems we have in Nigeria, but truth be told, there is no place like home. Nowhere else allows you to fully be part of family weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies, and graduations.”

"Nigeria Is Not Too Bad."
Also speaking, a returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he recently returned from the United Kingdom after spending four years abroad. He said after completing his studies, he wanted to pursue his PhD.

“But combining that with taking care of my children became overwhelming. That was when I began to seriously consider coming back home to Nigeria,” he added. For him, the move abroad was meant to be a temporary step towards financial empowerment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

He said since returning home three weeks ago, he had joined his brother in managing a real estate business they had previously co-run while in the UK. “The situation in Nigeria is not too bad. I already had a connection to a business here. Since coming back, I’ve been settling in quite well.”

He attributed the reasons many Nigerians were returning to cultural disconnection, harsh working conditions, emotional stress abroad, and inability to combine work with childcare.



“There are people who are coming back for some other reasons, such as the inability to cope with life over there; some are not so open to change in culture, food, lifestyle, and the weather. The kind of luxury that we enjoy in Nigeria is not over there.

“Emigration comes with a lot of stress; it comes with its problems. Some people do not have adequate information about life out there; they believe it is all rosy.

But unfortunately, it is not; it is a lot of stress. Immigrants do a lot of odd jobs to pay bills, and this takes a toll on their mental health,” he said.

Childcare Support
Another returnee, who identified herself as Ifeoma on TikTok, said she relocated from Canada back to Nigeria with her family due to the difficulty of securing a job and finding adequate childcare support after the birth of her second child.

She said, “I was not working, and it was very frustrating. I was basically relying on the money from childcare and other benefits we could get to survive. My husband worked, but we had to source money from Nigeria to pay most of our bills. You can imagine how crazy that was, and it was hectic.”

Recently, a Nigerian lady, Jenny Jones, shared her decision to relocate to Nigeria after living and working in the US for some time. Having worked in the US for several years, Jones cited burnout and lack of fulfillment as key reasons for her relocation.

“I’m going to Nigeria because I feel I am burnt out in the US and I need a break,” she said, noting that she plans to launch a clothing line in Lagos. For her, the move represents a chance to pursue entrepreneurship and regain control over her mental health.

“No amount of therapy or supplements can fix the constant mental battle if you are living in a place where you do not feel fulfilled. Do you see the glow up on my face just talking about the fact that I’m moving to Nigeria?” she explained.

The Idowu family, who lived in the US for 14 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024, echoed similar sentiments in a video shared on their YouTube channel two months ago.
Despite holding US citizenship, they said rising crime rates, cultural disconnects, and racism led them to leave.

“America is not the way it used to be,” they said. “We wanted our kids to grow up with morals and without the fear of gun violence. The crime rate in America is skyrocketing. Racism is there as well, especially against the blacks. That is why we returned to Nigeria.”

Immigration Lawyers React
Commenting on why some Nigerians were returning home from abroad, an immigration lawyer, Cephas Caleb, said several factors could be responsible for the development, citing “economic, social and other reasons.”

Another immigration lawyer, Innocent Ekpen, noted that President Donald Trump’s actions might have influenced those returning from the US.

He said, “For instance, what President Trump has been doing could be a factor, because he has been sending undocumented immigrants back home, even those that got the document from the Biden administration.”

The spokesperson for the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said returnees were coming back for “reasons related to economics, emotions, and security.”

https://punchng.com/japa-da-nigerians-abroad-return-home-amid-dashed-expectations/#google_vignette

Love800:
What you said is very true.

Well sha, my stance is, if you are Nigerian and you grew up in abroad, all these racism stuff wont hit you hard. You wont be too affected by it. But if you a Nigerian, and you grew and stayed in Nigeria before relocating abroad, the discrimination will affect your mental health with full force!

That is just what i see in it.

Nefort:
You prefer to scrub all the toilets in Canada to prove you are strong? If you haven't travelled out you better keep quiet. Life is not easy anywhere. You can still fail miserably even after relocating abroad.

dododawa1:
https://punchng.com/japa-da-nigerians-abroad-return-home-amid-dashed-expectations/#google_vignette

kpankpangolo:
The ones who rose to managerial positions should come home, yes? As Tinubu’s policies will make them more prosperous than their host countries could ever guarantee. Statements like this are why I prefer to stay quiet than debate on the internet.

Love800:
I have a question.

Why don't they want to die there(in the USA or UK)?
Is an honest question pls. Thank you.

erico2k2:
GO to my profile you will notice I actually live in Nigeria but work Abroad,U thinkN50m is a lot,I laugh in spanish, howmuch do you think it costt o build a 4 bed bungalow, and live and maintain same standard as someone who has lived in the Uk for 20 years?Anywyas, some peoples position 10 years ago is a whole family prayer point.

erico2k2:
Have you thought of the mental health of workers i n Nigeria? They even work and do not get paid. Out of my own heart, I decided to pay my gateman N80k a month cos I don't know how he keeps a home,wife and two kids schooling.

tabaralph:
I can see that you’re a frustrated person, inbox me your account details let me bless your life with 200k…. I will transfer you the money now and post the receipt here for all to see, am I rich man , I mean very rich…don’t play, if I begin to show you my properties all around Nigeria you’ won’t sleep tonight oo i swear.

spiceadole:
Exactly.
Always been an introvert.
Even while in Nigeria,I had no friends.
Associated with very few family members and mostly via phone.
I once stayed for 4 years without setting eyes on my biological mother and siblings.Nobody died.

Now abroad,I mind my business.
Go to work,return home to study and relax with my children,sleep.
I don't have friends.
I do not visit anyone and nobody visits me.
I don't attend any church or social gatherings.

I am enjoying being overseas.
I miss nothing about Nigeria.

PUNANI01:
I will rather stay here in Kuwait than moving to US.

RichBoy247:
The weather in UK is too cold and there is nowhere like home.

Meanwhile, not everyone returns to Nigeria, there are hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who will never come back. Don’t let village pipu convince or confuse you from travelling abroad for greener pastures, please try it; it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all

Goodadvice01:
And that is why I want to try it now..

My first option now is to learn barbing then travel to Lagos . But if e no work..

My second option is to travel to Ghana and sort myself out there


By God's grace, one of the two must happen this year, amen.

Killermamba:
[b][b]Nigeria Is Not Too Bad."
Also speaking, a returnee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he recently returned from the United Kingdom after spending four years abroad. He said after completing his studies, he wanted to pursue his PhD. Wait until herdsmen kidnapped you or better still you fall sick and realize that the Nigeria health care system is between life and death

ROTTWEILER007:
no mind them jare. My boss, if you see way, JAPA!!!!!!!!!