The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You - Travel (2)

The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You - Travel (2) - Nairaland

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Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Seeplusplus: 12:36pm On Jan 26

Kaczynski:
Untill you die in the hands of either unknown gunmen , npf or nigerian doctors.

People no de die for abroad na, I know.
Oga, all die na die

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by zombader(m): 12:36pm On Jan 26

Funny,the things enumerated above, has the poster experienced them first hand? Or just conjectures, imaginations or third party accounts? Every clime has its peculiarities. I'm confused as to the motive of the post itself.

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by lagosforever123(m): 12:37pm On Jan 26

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

This is what our government should be telling everyone on the daily so that if you have to Japa you are fully prepared or so dat you hustle in Nigeria die

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Love800(m): 12:39pm On Jan 26

Everything you listed there is better than the hardship in Nigeria.

Anyway, nobody goes to stay permanently in abroad if you want to be rich. Except say you want to enjoy efficient law and order, then you can live there.

The trick is, make money there and come to Africa to flex it.

3 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by lagosforever123(m): 12:39pm On Jan 26

zombader:
Funny,the things enumerated above, has the poster experienced them first hand? Or just conjectures, imaginations or third party accounts? Every clime has its peculiarities. I'm confused as to the motive of the post itself.

You can join the police.

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by lorenzos1: 12:41pm On Jan 26

Baba you see the racism eeehn, he dey thick

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Qurungu: 12:42pm On Jan 26

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

I went abroad to a master’s degree program in 2015 and returned in 2017. This was about a couple of years before the japa craze reached its peak.

When I would hear people saying they were moving abroad to secure better lives for their children I used to wonder, “is it the same abroad i experienced or another one?”.
Yes, some people have it good, but that’s not the story for the majority. The reason for this are the same reasons that the OP posted.

The worrying part for me was the moral permissiveness of western societies. Everything goes. I wondered if I could raise children there.

I have the same conclusion; the abroad is just a different society, not totally a better one.

The quality of life may be better with regards to clothes and devices and clean environments and orderliness and affordable food, but poorer in terms of human connections, how wealthy a person can become, raising children, and freedom of speech.

In terms of security, the problem with the west is that the security agencies themselves almost always see you as a suspect and give you extra scrutiny that is embarrassing.

Compare how Benjamin Mendy was treated with how Gyfli Sigurrdson was, for the same “offenses”.

9 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by ednut1(m): 12:55pm On Jan 26

https://www.nairaland.com/8600064/noa-spend-n252million-sensitising-nigerian

Are you part of the people recruited here? I checked the op picture and its obvious she can’t afford to japa too 😂

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Chidegu: 12:55pm On Jan 26

For someone like me living in Switzerland for almost 5yrs ..I have seen that all the statements are true for some people. The question to answer is very individual. What do you want for yourself , then your family if you are married. About others - its a bonus.

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

2 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by AderonkeOlaniyi(f): 12:55pm On Jan 26

Sunnyshinylight:
Alright, it's working and we pray many learn

What is working? The crappy propaganda you posted up there? Some of you are so ignorant, you just regurgitate what others have posted over and over again. I'd rather stay in a place where I'll feel lonely than stay in a place that will destroy my destiny. Nigeria is hell. Tell your sponsors that your propaganda isn't working as you've thought it would.

8 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by simpleseyi: 12:56pm On Jan 26

Kriss216:
Come back Home and enjoy the bright side of living in Nigeria.

.
Shey you Dey mind the werey ni?

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by TruthDefender(m): 12:57pm On Jan 26

Contrary to popular belief, almost all billionaire children live majorly in Nigeria. Dont you see Wike's son touring with him all over the place ? What will they be doing working abroad? To earn how much? You guys are funny. People that their parents have amassed millions of dollars are who you expect to live abroad. They live in Nigeria where they are worshipped. There's no fun for them abroad. They go abroad to study,then move back to Nigeria. Then they only visit abroad for vacations therefater

ogaemma:
Tell Wike children and politicians children to come back home before I believe this rubbish.
Wike's wife and all his children are citizens of America, your President son Seyi Tinubu is a British citizen, Festus Keyemo Children are all based in Atlanta U.S.
Stop this deception.
I have been abroad.
The worst abroad is better than the best APC Nigeria.
With all your points, find out why many Nigerians in abroad do not want to come back home.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by AderonkeOlaniyi(f): 12:59pm On Jan 26

Maj196:
Back to sender

Typical Nigerian. They will tell you 'back to sender', but will still tell you that Nigeria is better than Europe. Same people will be the first to japa if you give them opportunity. Tueh!

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by jidesp(m): 12:59pm On Jan 26*

Don’t ever get stranded during winter in developed countries. You know when they dem Dey shout am for Game of Thrones. Winter is Coming…

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Iran2025: 1:00pm On Jan 26

Still better than Naija

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Makamatic: 1:07pm On Jan 26

All these evil people done come again .. if you get chance to japa , run oo .

5 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Pointnoire(m): 1:11pm On Jan 26

You men the dark side of living abroad as an illegal immigrant abi ? Or settling in a town you know absolutely nothing about

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by SpyChild: 1:12pm On Jan 26

I was gonna type but saw this old post I made long time ago and just decided to post it here instead

You can live your dreams if you Jakpa!

SpyChild from Nairaland:

I don’t know why people keep saying that people staying abroad are sex starved.
There are stages to the game and hustle if you live abroad. If you are still tryna figure out your papers and work to get money to make it happen, where will you even see the time or energy to pursue sex.
Now, if you have figured yourself out and you are in a place like the US, cities like Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans and the like for instance where there are also a good percentage of blacks, who told you you won’t have sex?

Omoh akata love sex plus they are good and sexy too.

The only difference is that unlike Nigeria where most people have a lot of free time to be pursuing sex, people actually work here for at least 8hrs to get your bills paid. So after work, if you have strength go and pursue sex cos there are people out there to that have the time and wanna seek the pleasure too.

It’s pathetic that home based folks actually believe this.
Lol I don’t wanna delve into details when it comes to that kind of lifestyle but most people don’t actually have game and because of the economic hardships in nigeria and they pick low hanging fruit thinking they have game.

It’s game time abroad, if you don’t have the it…sorry Konji will be your first name cos you no fit do anyhow,
Popo go carry you shaperly"

5 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by dederocs(m): 1:16pm On Jan 26

Normal people can ball here, but abroad you have to earn big to ball...

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Flets: 1:16pm On Jan 26

Qurungu:
I went abroad to a master’s degree program in 2015 and returned in 2017. This was about a couple of years before the japa craze reached its peak.

When I would hear people saying they were moving abroad to secure better lives for their children I used to wonder, “is it the same abroad i experienced or another one?”.
Yes, some people have it good, but that’s not the story for the majority. The reason for this are the same reasons that the OP posted.

The worrying part for me was the moral permissiveness of western societies. Everything goes. I wondered if I could raise children there.

I have the same conclusion; the abroad is just a different society, not totally a better one.

The quality of life may be better with regards to clothes and devices and clean environments and orderliness and affordable food, but poorer in terms of human connections, how wealthy a person can become, raising children, and freedom of speech.

In terms of security, the problem with the west is that the security agencies themselves almost always see you as a suspect and give you extra scrutiny that is embarrassing.

Compare how Benjamin Mendy was treated with how Gyfli Sigurrdson was, for the same “offenses”.

So all the Nigerian hook-up girls, yahoo boys, ritualists, deceptive religious practitioners were all raised abroad abi?

Why does almost every Nigerian you do business want to rip you off? Where were all these Nigerians raised?

The Nigerian political class were all raised abroad and that is why they are mean and evil abi?

I just shudder at our nerve of moral superiority when we are the worst of creation morally

If Nigeria was a functional and better society, these propaganda raised by the OP won’t be necessary. Japa will die a natural death, abroadians will relocate back and other nationalities will seek solace in Nigeria.

Until then, naija na hell

6 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by hush15: 1:29pm On Jan 26

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

Nice but I don't agree with you on all the points raise. It is just some of the burden of being a working system i.e. billing will humble you.
Family safety net is relative though cos I know they do have family safety net, however it works differently abroad. While in Nigeria, it is all entitlement mentality; abroad don't think you entitled to it. You will get a shocker.
Also is dignity in labor abroad. All those jobs that Nigerians think is for loosers and lowlife, those are the jobs that contributes to making the system work and guess what! There is good earnings and it is open to everybody even the so called top shots.

I can go on and on, but you are right. Japa won't solve all your problems but it provides an opportunity for you to work on it. The rest comes down to the individual. If you are a lazy person naturally and very discontent, the abroad is not for you. Just stay in your country and be obtaining as you are usually used to. Jagba from uncles, aunties, friends and families as you are used to. Keep voting nonsense and corrupt leaders and hoping one day, it will be your turn to loot. Abroad is not for the faint hearted.

I come in peace

7 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by being(m): 1:30pm On Jan 26

Love800:
Everything you listed there is better than the hardship in Nigeria.

Anyway, nobody goes to stay permanently in abroad if you want to be rich. Except say you want to enjoy efficient law and order, then you can live there.

The trick is, make money there and come to Africa to flex it.

Lol@ d trick.. the abroad will trick u.. U think it's easy to save money and then come and flex. Like the post said many people want to come back but are currently empty handed after years. Like I tell people the problems in Nigeria are a lot financial, physical but the problems abroad are psychological - u look good outside but u could be broken, unhappy, tired within.

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Kalulu44: 1:30pm On Jan 26

uchman:
Life doesn’t end in Nigeria bro after making money in Nigeria, you will still come abroad to live the best of life and to also make use of the best facilities and technology life can offer.

I no go lie for you brother

That's why he said he will be coming for vacation

1 Like

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Biggeststar01: 1:33pm On Jan 26

Not convincing. I understand your patriotism but I can’t rate Nigeria for anything positive. still leaving.

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by aywhy93(m): 1:35pm On Jan 26*

For anyone who doesn't know, Nigeria has the shortest life expectancy in the world @ 54years!!! No matter what you do, how much you earn etc., collectively on an average, you're likely to live for just 54years, because everything around you is designed to kill you. In contrast, countries like Australia, Switzerland, Canada, HK, Ireland, Japan etc. have an average life expectancy of 82 - 85 years!

You're likely to live 30 years more, on an average, just by choosing to relocate to such countries... Even countries we talk down on and look down on like Ghana, South Africa etc. have a life expectancy of 65years +, which means you'd live 10 years more (averagely) by relocating to those type of countries. Long story short, Nigeria (presently) is bottom of the barrel, relocating to just about anywhere in the world will add more to your life expectancy and quality of life, even if it's just a year!!! We're that f*cked!!!

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by ttoyetade: 1:36pm On Jan 26*

RoadMozart:
Not enough reason for me to stay back in this country

Don't mind her. Even if you go to a new farm, there is time to cultivate the land before you begin to enjoy harvest.

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by TRAPLORD13: 1:37pm On Jan 26

But it's still better than staying back in this hell hole called naija..the only thing I will miss about Nigeria when I japa is the freedom to do anyhow in naija which I can't in other countries

4 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Flets: 1:40pm On Jan 26

Sunnyshinylight:
The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You

Every day on Nairaland, Instagram and WhatsApp, we see pictures of Nigerians abroad living “soft life” — big jackets, snow selfies, fine streets, clean trains.

From Nigeria, it looks like once you japa, all your problems are solved.

But the truth?
There’s a dark side of living abroad many Nigerians don’t talk about — especially those already there.

Let’s be honest.

1. Loneliness Will Deal With You

In Nigeria, even if you’re broke, you have people. Neighbours, family, friends, noise, gist.
Abroad?

You can stay months without real human connection.
Everyone is busy. Everyone is tired. Everyone minds their business.

Many Nigerians abroad battle silent depression, but won’t say it because they don’t want people back home saying “you wanted to japa, now see you.”

2. You’ll Work Jobs You Never Imagined
That “abroad” dignity fades fast.
Doctors become caregivers.
Engineers wash dishes.
Graduates do night shifts nobody wants.

Nothing is wrong with honest work — but the mental shock is real, especially when you remember how people respected you back home.

3. Bills Will Humble You
Yes, currency is strong — but expenses are stronger.
Rent.
Tax.
Insurance.
Transport.
Utilities.
You may earn well, yet still be one emergency away from crisis.

That’s why some Nigerians abroad can’t send money home as often as people think.

4. Racism Is Real (Even If It’s Silent)
It’s not always shouting or insults.
Sometimes it’s:
being ignored
being over-policed
being treated like you don’t belong
working twice as hard to be seen as “normal”
You’ll constantly feel like you have to prove yourself.

5. No Family Safety Net
In Nigeria, if things scatter, you can manage:
stay with family
borrow food
get help
Abroad?
If you fall, you fall alone.
Miss rent = eviction.
Lose job = real trouble.
No uncle. No mummy’s friend. No village support.

6. Immigration Stress Can Break You
Waiting for:
papers
visas
renewals
approvals
Living in fear of one mistake ruining years of effort.
That stress is not a joke. Some Nigerians abroad are physically there but mentally exhausted.

7. You Can’t Easily “Come Back”
Once you japa, coming back empty-handed feels like failure — even if you’re tired.
So people endure misery in silence, just to maintain the image of success.

Final Truth
Living abroad is not bad, but it is not paradise.
Nigeria is hard.
Abroad is hard — just in a different way.
Anyone telling you japa will solve all your problems is not telling the full story.
Over to you, Nairalanders 👇

Would you still japa knowing all this?

Nigerians abroad, what’s the hardest part nobody warned you about?
Let’s talk — no packaging.

Make with this data what you will:

Total no of Nigerians in Nigeria - 200+ million
Total no of Nigerians in diaspora- 15 -17million

Total remittance by Nigerians in diaspora in 2025 is $23billion (32 trillion naira)
Total IGR by all the Nigerian state in 2025 is 3.02trillion naira

Nigeria is a destiny killer with her political class being agents of satan to keep humans (Nigerians) unfulfilled using propaganda such as this.

If Nigeria works, no propaganda will be required to make people stay back. Nigeria only works for the political class and the extremely rich.

13 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by SpatialKing(m): 1:43pm On Jan 26

I'm in the USA

No trbalism unlike Lagos everyday they keep reminding u to go back to your state
No religious fantastics
Good roads
Everything is based on merit
Good pay
Even with the task I get task returns
I don't bother about fueling generator everyday
Your votes count
I'm well paid and I can invest in real estate in Abuja, Enugu and other cities...
Access to basic amenities and good life
I drive cars only politicians and yahoo boys drive in Nigeria

8 Likes

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by maasoap(m): 1:52pm On Jan 26

APOPTOSIS:
Please allow those ABROAD to have peace.
I don't know this obsession with those who have JaPaed successfully. JAPA is not for everyone, same way Nigeria is not for every Nigerian. Get that into your head.

Life is once and must be scheduled as one wishes. Allow people spend their money the way they wish, most especially when you never contributed financially to their JaPa.
Finally, Life is all about risks and gambling with some, therefore allow them weep profusely in Diaspora should their JaPa plans hit the rocks.

I don't think it is about those who already left but about those who may still want to leave to weigh their choices

Re: The Dark Side Of Living Abroad Nigerians Don’t Tell You by Mimiranky: 1:52pm On Jan 26

No place like home... My peace of mind is everything to me.... Nothing good about abroad....Yes Nigeria is bad, but the peace I have in my comfort zone is better than the war in another zone

1 Like

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