₦airaland Forum

Ana2022:
We stayed at a hotel for the duration of our trip. I must say, the staff were incredibly kind, respectful, and made us feel safe at all times. That was one of the few truly positive parts of the experience.

However, there were several issues that made our stay uncomfortable.

First, the mosquitoes were unbearable—they bit us constantly. Then there was the noise. The street was very loud, and at night it became even worse. Churches nearby would start loud prayers and drumming in the middle of the night, sometimes around 2 a.m. Honestly, it was very disturbing. People are trying to sleep—why not pray quietly? Why does it have to involve loudspeakers and drums at that hour?

When we first arrived at the hotel around 2 p.m., our room was not ready. They had to rush to clean it before we could settle in.

The next day, the kitchen sink had no running water, so they moved us to another room. Unfortunately, the new room had its own problems—the bathroom water system was faulty. The water was either extremely hot, almost like fire, or completely cold. There was no balance.

Another major issue was the constant smell of weed throughout the building. Even though there were signs stating that it was not allowed, the smell was everywhere—from the corridors to inside our room. It felt like we were constantly surrounded by it. I complained multiple times, but nothing meaningful was done. Eventually, I just gave up.

After one week, I decided to check out another hotel I had seen online before traveling. When I got there, I was completely shocked. That place should not even be operating—not even as a one-star hotel. It looked rundown and unsafe, almost like it could collapse at any moment.

The receptionist seemed completely disengaged, as if he wasn’t even paying attention. He gave us a key to check a room on the third floor—there was no elevator. I couldn’t even make it halfway up the stairs before turning back.

I also saw the pool—it was a nightmare. The water had a strange color and was filled with insects. It was completely unusable.

Honestly, I have nothing positive to say about that place. It should be shut down by the authorities.

In the end, I had no choice but to remain at the first hotel I booked. Compared to others, it was considered “five-star,” but in reality, even by international standards, it would not qualify as a two-star hotel without serious renovations.

This experience really opened my eyes…

Validated:
For me, the airport management at MMIA are trying. Except for some corrupt NDLEA, Customs and begi'begi staff, the arrival was cool. After, checking out of the airport, you will see Nigeria, as it is "a failed state" under
Tinubu, no light, bad roads, etc.

Bolt and Uber allow rickety, I mean dirty and sometimes bolekaja vehicles. An eyesore.

At MMA2, things were worse. You cannot order rides here like Bolt and they cannot pick you up in front. They MUST go to the parking lot to pay N3500, so against Uber or Bolt fares, you are forced to pay twice or thrice.

MasterTeeUSA:
Must have been born with a silver spoon and left Nigeria so young...I went back to Ibadan and I almost got lost. When I first came back to Nigeria and saw Oshodi, I was SHOCKED. This same Oshodi...now go to Gate in Ibadan, Beere and all these places have changed and are getting modernized with Street Lights. I went to Lekki and I understood why people want to stay on the island...it is different and chill...so I do not understand this ...Nigeria is worse than before. Maybe you need better eye glasses.

I see growth when I come to Nigeria. I can carry my internet like MTN everywhere...abroad, can you do that? Nope...you either use in at home, at work or roam with cellphone data. I can visit my site and still do zoom calls or video calls abroad. I use apps in Nigeria now to order products and food...and I am just like ...this is amazing. How much is UberEats and eatery charging for delivery abroad? Nigeria, there is a lot of hope. The only issue is we need taxes and better redistribution of wealth and this APC Administration has started with a major tax law..that is something abroad does very well...tax you wella and dem no born your papa not to pay taxes.

Ana2022:
Now, back to the main reason I am writing all of this.

What I experienced has deeply affected me. To be honest, I feel ashamed to call myself a Nigerian citizen right now. This journey has opened my eyes in a way I cannot ignore. I now truly appreciate the countries abroad that have given me opportunities, stability, and a better quality of life. Things I once complained about, I now see differently. May God continue to bless those nations.

What I saw was in Lagos—I cannot speak for other states—but what I witnessed there was overwhelming.

I visited both wealthy and poorer areas, and I was left speechless. This is 2026, yet there is still no reliable 24-hour electricity. The roads are even worse than how I left them many years ago. Everywhere, I saw young children selling goods on the streets—even inside buses. These are children who should be at home, resting or in school, not out working in unsafe conditions, day and night.

Seeing them broke my heart.

The transportation system was another shock. Many of the buses on the road are in terrible condition and should not even be operating. On one occasion, we entered a bus during the rain, and water was leaking heavily inside onto passengers. It felt unreal—like something out of a nightmare.

The constant noise—especially in the markets—was overwhelming. It was nonstop, from morning until night. At times, it felt like my head couldn’t rest, as if there was continuous drumming around me 24 hours a day.

I also noticed exposed wires along the roads, and it wasn’t even clear whether they were live or not, yet people walked around them as if it was normal.

Crossing the road was another challenge entirely. I stood at pedestrian crossings expecting cars to stop—but they didn’t. Sometimes, we were nearly hit. I even saw a zebra crossing connected to a raised concrete divider so high that it made no sense—how is anyone supposed to cross safely?

I tried using pedestrian bridges instead, but many of them were damaged, poorly maintained, or completely abandoned. It honestly felt unsafe to use them. I just kept hoping no one would fall or get seriously hurt one day.

When it rained, the flooding was everywhere. Roads became almost impassable.

One day, I decided to go alone to Yaba Market. That experience was overwhelming. I could barely breathe. The area around Tejuosho Market felt extremely congested, loud, and chaotic. The noise, the crowd, the heat—it was too much. I honestly don’t know how people cope working in those conditions every single day. No one should have to live or work like that.

I also couldn’t ignore the sheer number of people struggling—working tirelessly, carrying heavy loads under intense heat, just to survive. It made me wonder how much the population has grown, because the pressure on daily life is clearly immense.

And then I thought about the elderly… where do they fit in all of this? What support is there for them? It seems like once you grow old, the system expects your children to take full responsibility. But what happens to those who don’t have that support?

The reality is painful. There is little visible structure to support the most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and those who are sick.

It is deeply concerning.

There is still so much more I want to say… I will continue later.

But one thing is clear: please, do not be misled into thinking everything is working. There are serious challenges that cannot be ignored.

mirrael68:
When Peter Obi wins next year, Nigeria will be on track to full recovery. It only takes one man with vision.

Dennisochampa:
Now that you know... Please go and never go back to Nigeria....

U had a bitter experience doesn't mean it will remain like that always....

When you go back to your paradise, try and read about their history....

I'm not saying Nigeria is at its best at the moment but the reason for this post is what I don't understand....

Go and never come back... You and your little ones can live the rest of your lives abroad....

The things u do in Nigeria, how many of them do you do abroad...

Make una no worry, na this life we all dey...

Nigeria go better for everyone and some of u will beg to identify with that country... Na una turn e dey now...
Nigeria turn go reach.....

erumena:
Honestly, I am always pissed with people that travel abroad, pay a visit back and condemn the same country like nothing good can come of it.

I got here and realised that abroad is just overrated .

Yes, the system is working but, heck, it’s not all rosy like they want us to believe.

This person talking is just being carried away by the sheer contrast of both worlds but fail to realize that no country is perfect.

I could write a book complaining about where I am based but that is not the point, the race is not for the swift but it is the Lord who showeth mercy.

Before, stabilizing, I knew what I went through, thank God for my wife and kids, not everyone is that lucky.

There are homeless people who are citizens of this country that were born here but living in penury.

Don’t count Nigeria out, we will get there someday, somehow!!!

360degreess:
For you to say there is no hope or opportunity in Nigeria means you lack financial intelligence .. There are lot of opportunities in places where there are problems and it's only if you have the financial intelligence that you will be able to see that.. People are making millions and billions everytime in Nigeria.You talked about social amenities in abroad, remember life is more than just having that.What about social life, foods, Racism, loneliness, weather, closeness to your loving family members?...etc..

Basic123:
GOD BLESS YOU!

I observe the same thing when I went to Ibadan.

Nigeria infrastructural deficit is estimated to be 3trillion dollars.We require 100billion dollars annual funding.Nigeria wants a president to transform a country within 4years with annual budget of 40 billion dollars and budget deficit of 10billion dollars without borrowing and increase tax coverage.When opposition politicians are sugarcoating Nigerians,I will just laugh.I dont blame them,Tinubu and APC did the same thing to GEJ and PDP,now they are also facing the reality.

nedekid:
Oga, let me burst your bubble, my electricity bill here in naija averages 1m + monthly which is well over $700, how much is minimum wage in Nigeria compared to the US? And yes your electricity will automatically shut off if it is not paid for. Solar is not cheap, in the US you can get financing for solar, here you buy it. Solar above a certain capacity is outrageously expensive, how much will solar cost to cover the capacity of Eg a 80kva generator, you probably will spend at least 80m.
Fuel is 1350 per liter and higher in other states which is $1 per liter, how much is fuel in the US per liter, just a little higher, look at the attached to see the comparison.
Yes people come for dirty December, come into the country for a week, do good time and leave, that is how holiday all over the world is, does it expose you to the reality on ground, no. Same way we will save here in naija, fly abroad for 2 weeks vacation, stay in the high end hotels apartments, live a fairytale life for the few days, infact you friends there will say chai, naija must be good for you to come and chop life in this kind of place they have not entered in all the donkey years spent abroad, but only us know say na wash. When we return back to naija we the face the consequence by "soaking garri" for a while.
Yes it is good to be patriotic and always talk good of the country because we are all yes men, it is good to be suffering and smiling. I was at the gas station yesterday, walai you cannot believe how fast the line was moving, people were buying 5, 10k worth, infact one fellow bought 2k petrol, me the 40k I bought was just 30liters! Go around Ikeja along and see people trekking home instead of entering bus.

MasterTeeUSA:
Oga, email me your electricity bill. You must be running a factory. I still load electricity for my tenants common meter and they use less than N40k to pump water and light the surroundings all year round ...a building of 8 flats. Even my Mama cannot use N10k per month, so what appliances do you have running that you are using N1m per month.

You talk about fuel price. It is internationally traded commodity. It wont change from country to country. How many people no get cars for western countries...cos they cannot afford it. People like a little at a time in Nigeria...guess what, it happens here too. You talk about minimum wage...try living on US $7.25 per hour...You wont even be able to pay rent...forget everything else. Govt subsidies sustain a lot of people in the West.

No one is saying Nigeria is perfect and you cannot compare Nigeria of how many years old to countries that are 250-300yrs old. I see growth even if I stay for a max of 2 months. Yes, you need money to live and enjoy in Nigeria...same thing in the West which is why some work 2-3 jobs. Before you say it is not possible in Nigeria, I know a friend that installs solar, buy Garri in Bulk, repackages and sell and makes good money as side hustle. I know those that tutor in Nigeria which I was doing before i traveled and I know people making N400k - N500k plus per month and still doubles as agents selling landed properties and houses making money in the same Nigeria. We can lament, but lamentations will not solve our individual lives and the choices we make or choose not to make. Email me that electric bill lol ....idagbaempowermentfoundation@gmail.com

nedekid:
I will post snippets for obvious privacy reasons, I will delete in 2hrs, hope you see it.

Ana2022:
I arrived back the next day and met an older Nigerian man staying at my apartment, as I run a hostel and several short-term rental apartments for tourists.

He came abroad in 1991, like many people who believed in investing back home. He bought land in Abuja, properties in his state, and even built a fish farm that was once well known.

Today, almost everything is gone. He told me he regrets it deeply. If he had known things would become this difficult, he said he would have stayed abroad and invested there instead. Now, he only has a small flat left to survive with his family in Nigeria.
He told me something I will never forget: back then, 80,000 naira could feed a family of six for a month. Today, 120,000 naira a week is still not enough for basic living.

He looked broken—not physically, but inside.

I am not forcing anyone to leave Nigeria. That is not my message.

But if you ever have the opportunity to experience a better system—a place where life is not constant survival—please think deeply about it. Think about your old age, your children’s future, and the future of your generation.

Don’t let anyone deceive you that abroad is boring. Peace is not boring. Stability is not boring. Dignity is not boring.

Life is not just about money.

Techie25:
Thanks for your words, I really need help, what country do you reside in?

I earn roughly $1200 monthly, working remotely for a US based company and TBH, I really don't know what to do, what you typed there really touched me, I've never really thought of Japa before but Menh, I can't continue to live like this.

What do you suggest I do? Please I need help, I'm just confused. I have like $9k saved up only.
I have a Bsc only too.

Dennisochampa:
Bro like ehn.. I am just so pissed at the post...

I came to the uk thinking it's a bed of roses.....

But coming here.. My eyes Don clear...

I was managing a department in one of the biggest food processing firms in Nigeria... Good salary... Had my own house... Was very comfortable that my wife didn't even have to work....
We sold everything, used her as the principal applicant so I can work full time.... We came here...

3 years after...story ain't the same.....

Yes we have steady electricity, food roads etc..... But we pay for every single thing... Water, food, roads, energy, dust bin... Every single thing...

We both have to work to ensure we maintain that life style and keep enjoying the basic amenities.... No social life.... Monday to Sunday we are working.... Tiredness no dey even allow us opueh as much as we do in Nigeria..... And the worst part of it is that.... It will be like this till old age... If u manage buy house.... U pay for the best part of your life... If ur children inherit the house... Them no pay inheritance tax join.....

I'm not saying 9ja is at the best of everything right now but they should stop making it look like u walk on petals abroad and get paid for it....

Ishilove:
Martin Corridon... Mallory

Techie25:
Thanks for your words, I really need help, what country do you recommend?

I earn roughly $1200 monthly, working remotely for a US based company and TBH, I really don't know what to do, what you typed there really touched me, I've never really thought of Japa before but Menh, I can't continue to live like this.

What do you suggest I do? Please I need help, I'm just confused. I have like $9k saved up only.
I have a Bsc only too, I don't mind anything.
I have a passport already, my transcript and English proficiency from my uni all ready.

Please help me with what to do next.

Ana2022:
Then, look for a good schengen country to do your master....

Techie25:
Thanks for your feedback, I'll look into it.

So help me God