₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie:
What is ILR?

why waited till after you collect ILR, most immigrants goal is to obtain ILR.

Ifeoluwadev:
Let me start by saying this: I know what you are thinking. "This guy don craze." Even my own mother cried when I told her I was coming back.

I left Nigeria in 2019. Got a visa through my company's transfer program, packed two bags, and landed in Manchester on a cold Tuesday morning that nearly killed my Lagos raised soul.

For 5 years, I did everything "right."

Got a better paying job. Sent money home every month. Upgraded my family's life. Got my indefinite leave to remain sorted. On paper, I was living the dream every Nigerian prays for at night.

But last December, I packed those same two bags now four and came back to Lagos.

Here is why.

1. I WAS LONELY IN A WAY I CANNOT FULLY EXPLAIN

Nobody warns you about this.

You can be surrounded by colleagues, housemates, even "friends" and still feel like a ghost. British people are polite but not warm. There is a difference. You will smile at your neighbor for 3 years and never know his first name.

In Lagos, my street alone has more genuine human connection than my entire postcode in Manchester. My landlord's wife used to bring me food when I was sick. My neighbor knew my name within 24 hours.

I did not realize how much I needed that until I did not have it anymore.

2. THE MONEY LOOKED BIG UNTIL IT DIDN'T

Yes, I was earning in pounds. But London/UK cost of living will humble you fast.

Rent: £900/month for a small flat. Food: £400/month if you cook mostly at home. Transport: £200/month. Bills: £150/month.

By the time you finish doing the math, that "big salary" is already half gone before you enjoy anything. And if you have family back home depending on you, which most of us do, you are effectively running two households.

Back in Lagos, with the savings and investments I had built up, I now run a small logistics business. Last month I cleared more in naira than I was taking home in pounds after expenses.

People forget to calculate purchasing power and cost of living when they are dreaming about abroad.

3. I WAS AGEING WITHOUT LIVING
This one is personal.

In the UK, my routine was: wake up, commute, work, come home, cook, sleep, repeat. Weekends were for grocery shopping and rest because Monday was always coming.

In Lagos, even with the chaos, there is LIFE. There is noise and owambe and suya at midnight and people who actually want to sit with you and argue about football for 3 hours. There is color. There is energy.

I went to the UK and became productive. I came back to Nigeria and started actually living.

4. MY PARENTS ARE GETTING OLD
I watched my father shrink over video calls. My mother's hair went completely white in 3 years. They never complained, that is the Nigerian parent way, but I could see it.

No amount of money sent home replaces presence. I know that sounds like something on a greeting card, but I promise you it is true. My father's face when I walked through the door in December is something I will never forget.

I refuse to be the child who shows up for the burial after spending the last good years sending money instead of time.

5. OPPORTUNITY IN NIGERIA IS UNDERRATED
This will be controversial, I know.

But hear me out. Nigeria is hard. The infrastructure is a disaster. Fuel prices are criminal. The government is not your friend.

AND YET, for someone with skill, international exposure, savings, and the willingness to grind, Nigeria rewards you in ways that a saturated Western economy cannot. The competition is not as fierce at the top. The gaps in the market are enormous.

I identified a logistics gap in my area. Started small. Now I have 6 staff and three vehicles. I am building something. In the UK I was building someone else's dream.

THE HONEST DOWNSIDES, I WON'T LIE TO YOU

Light situation is still a spiritual attack. Generator fuel is expensive. The roads want to kill me daily. Some things that should take 30 minutes take 3 days because of bureaucracy. I sometimes miss the simple efficiency of abroad. Ordering something and it actually arrives. Bills that just work.

I am not here to sell you a fantasy. Nigeria is hard. But it is MY hard. And I am building something meaningful inside it.

FINAL WORD

I am not saying don't Japa. If you have the opportunity and you are young, GO. Gather experience, save money, build skills, see the world.

But do not let anyone make you feel like returning home is failure. It is a choice. And for me, it has been the best one I ever made.

I am home. I am building. I am alive.


[/i]
Drop your questions or your own experience below, let us talk.

Except you came back with at least 50 million. If not, you might end up regretting your decision.

Ohraykon:
western slave

What is wrong with being a western slave? And what makes you think that even in Nigeria, you are not already living as a slave?

okeysoninv:
why waited till after you collect ILR, most immigrants goal is to obtain ILR.

What is ILR? Is it like Permanent residency papers in the UK?

Ifeoluwadev:
Let me start by saying this: I know what you are thinking. "This guy don craze." Even my own mother cried when I told her I was coming back.

I left Nigeria in 2019. Got a visa through my company's transfer program, packed two bags, and landed in Manchester on a cold Tuesday morning that nearly killed my Lagos raised soul.

For 5 years, I did everything "right."

Got a better paying job. Sent money home every month. Upgraded my family's life. Got my indefinite leave to remain sorted. On paper, I was living the dream every Nigerian prays for at night.

But last December, I packed those same two bags now four and came back to Lagos.

Here is why.

1. I WAS LONELY IN A WAY I CANNOT FULLY EXPLAIN

Nobody warns you about this.

You can be surrounded by colleagues, housemates, even "friends" and still feel like a ghost. British people are polite but not warm. There is a difference. You will smile at your neighbor for 3 years and never know his first name.

In Lagos, my street alone has more genuine human connection than my entire postcode in Manchester. My landlord's wife used to bring me food when I was sick. My neighbor knew my name within 24 hours.

I did not realize how much I needed that until I did not have it anymore.

2. THE MONEY LOOKED BIG UNTIL IT DIDN'T

Yes, I was earning in pounds. But London/UK cost of living will humble you fast.

Rent: £900/month for a small flat. Food: £400/month if you cook mostly at home. Transport: £200/month. Bills: £150/month.

By the time you finish doing the math, that "big salary" is already half gone before you enjoy anything. And if you have family back home depending on you, which most of us do, you are effectively running two households.

Back in Lagos, with the savings and investments I had built up, I now run a small logistics business. Last month I cleared more in naira than I was taking home in pounds after expenses.

People forget to calculate purchasing power and cost of living when they are dreaming about abroad.

3. I WAS AGEING WITHOUT LIVING
This one is personal.

In the UK, my routine was: wake up, commute, work, come home, cook, sleep, repeat. Weekends were for grocery shopping and rest because Monday was always coming.

In Lagos, even with the chaos, there is LIFE. There is noise and owambe and suya at midnight and people who actually want to sit with you and argue about football for 3 hours. There is color. There is energy.

I went to the UK and became productive. I came back to Nigeria and started actually living.

4. MY PARENTS ARE GETTING OLD
I watched my father shrink over video calls. My mother's hair went completely white in 3 years. They never complained, that is the Nigerian parent way, but I could see it.

No amount of money sent home replaces presence. I know that sounds like something on a greeting card, but I promise you it is true. My father's face when I walked through the door in December is something I will never forget.

I refuse to be the child who shows up for the burial after spending the last good years sending money instead of time.

5. OPPORTUNITY IN NIGERIA IS UNDERRATED
This will be controversial, I know.

But hear me out. Nigeria is hard. The infrastructure is a disaster. Fuel prices are criminal. The government is not your friend.

AND YET, for someone with skill, international exposure, savings, and the willingness to grind, Nigeria rewards you in ways that a saturated Western economy cannot. The competition is not as fierce at the top. The gaps in the market are enormous.

I identified a logistics gap in my area. Started small. Now I have 6 staff and three vehicles. I am building something. In the UK I was building someone else's dream.

THE HONEST DOWNSIDES, I WON'T LIE TO YOU

Light situation is still a spiritual attack. Generator fuel is expensive. The roads want to kill me daily. Some things that should take 30 minutes take 3 days because of bureaucracy. I sometimes miss the simple efficiency of abroad. Ordering something and it actually arrives. Bills that just work.

I am not here to sell you a fantasy. Nigeria is hard. But it is MY hard. And I am building something meaningful inside it.

FINAL WORD

I am not saying don't Japa. If you have the opportunity and you are young, GO. Gather experience, save money, build skills, see the world.

But do not let anyone make you feel like returning home is failure. It is a choice. And for me, it has been the best one I ever made.

I am home. I am building. I am alive.


[/i]
Drop your questions or your own experience below, let us talk.

Amazing write up bro. I am in similar shoes. But ur indefinite leave is as good as PR so u can return and complete the process when u will I believe

This is the most honest conversation on japada chronicles. You started by saying you got your ILR before telling us your other experiences. I have visited the UK several times and I can tell you indeed there's no place like home. I'm always happy and excited coming back home. Uk is not a very happy place to be. There's this sad aura there. God continue to bless your hustle.

SixSeven:
A lot of people especially when you get older find fulfilment in making their own money than being salaried. You cannot define another person's success. Even if he is cooking food daily in Lagos and makes money from it, I don't see what is wrong with that and why you have a problem with how that will make the person happy. The person said they made money but did not feel it but here you are trying to argue for them what experience should feel like. I don't get it.

But how come everybody I know who have gone abroad always tell me that "what am I still doing in Nigeria?" They always try to ginger me to start coming as fast as possible.

Kobojunkie:
What is ILR? Is it like Permanent residency papers in the UK?

indefinite Leave to Remain.

okeysoninv:
indefinite Leave to Remain.

Is that like permanent residency in the UK?

You dey complain ooo... @op

What if you were a health worker/ care giver ?

You wouldn't even get weekends off.

Glad to have you back sha....

Kaczynski:
You’re telling me you swapped a UK salary for a Lagos logistics business and cleared more in naira? Either your math is as shaky as Nigeria’s power grid or you’re running a glorified okada operation.

So the UK made you a robot and Lagos made you alive? Priorities, my guy.


You’re not building something meaningful. You’re running a glorified okada service with a fancy title. You came back because you couldn’t hack it abroad and now you’re selling it as a choice. Weak.

Spare me the redemption arc. Just admit you missed the suffering.

Even if the story is fiction sef, the scenario is very possible.
How many UK residents can save 5 million monthly after expenses monthly? Whereas There are many sMEs doing that comfortably

Spidermon:
➜Even if the story is fiction sef, the scenario is very possible. How many UK residents can save 5 million monthly after expenses monthly? Whereas There are many sMEs doing that comfortably

Can anyone working an honest job save 5 million monthly in Nigeria after monthly expenses?

geoworldedu:
But how come everybody I know who have gone abroad always tell me that "what am I still doing in Nigeria?" They always try to ginger me to start coming as fast as possible.

People love company. I want you to understand something. I am not against going to any country that you have a date with to fulfill your destiny but one thing I know is that you can make it anywhere. That's why this life no balance.

If your vision is to be in Nigeria and it is working for you, it is not your job to do what your friends are doing. Nigerians are fond of doing what everyone is doing so they always think that because they have made money or living a comfortable life over there, it is better to invite you to join them. Don't forget many adults find it hard to make friends so of course, they will invite you as long as you don't become a burden. Why have comedians not left Nigeria? The market is here. They even have their families abroad but they never go abroad. Why? Because the market is here. Also, you have more money here if you do well though the standards of living may not be much like abroad but at the end of the day there is a reason why people come back home to retire. May God favor you wherever you are. Amen

Kobojunkie:
Can anyone working an honest job save 5 million monthly in Nigeria after monthly expenses?

Not as employee.
As business owner

Spidermon:
➜Not as employee.As business owner

What legit business owner, not already in the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Nigeria, saves 5 million after expenses each month in Nigeria? Even drug dealers who are not working with corrupt politicians have a hard time saving that much each month in Nigeria.

You are wrong. He already started well. He planned very well before coming back home.
He's a realistic dreamer. He knows what he wants and how to get it.

meobizy:
Tinubu’s government will chase this one back. He won’t write a report when the country finally frustrates him.

Okpueze1:
You waited to get your ILR before returning to Nigeria?
Why?

He did the right thing. Many have the documents but s stay back and suffer. Like he said Nigeria is hard but trust me many people don't understand or even know its hard.

meobizy:
Tinubu’s government will chase this one back. He won’t write a report when the country finally frustrates him.

Everything Tinubu's Govt. If u want to succeed here in Nigeria nothing can stop u
Millions are still living large and making it. I beg let's leave Tinubu out of this

All these epistle to discourage people. Your reasons for coming back are not valid to some extent.

Kobojunkie:
What legit business owner, not already in the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Nigeria, saves 5 million after expenses each month in Nigeria? Even drug dealers who are not working with corrupt politicians have a hard time saving that much each month in Nigeria.

Haaa...if you look around you, they abound ooo.
There are some mechanics that do those numbers ooo. Food sellers, eateries, farms, traders etc
Dont be myopic

You even get time to answer that mutula

Ifeoluwadev:
Shouldn't I have done that?

Bossman:
Yeah. Sounds like this is just a made up story. At least from the OP's posting history.

And there was a caught 🤣🤣

Bro,at God bless you for this....
I spent a combined 3.5 years outside, combining South Africa and UK but still decided to return home, even with unexpired visa on my passport.
That was in 2011.

SA was too dangerous as the crime made me run out. UK wasn't just for me. Just couldn't cope with the cold and conservative weather and life.

I'm doing well here in Naija for myself. Got cars, built my house, got landed properties and wife/kids are doing well...

But I think people must travel, at least to have an exposure and experience....

Ifeoluwadev:
No lies, but they have to go first to find out themselves

Thats not the case... its eazy to raise capital here in the UK but have a plan. Max 6 years. You know the reason for the 6 years. Its just a back up for when naija shows you shege and the likelihood high small.

I'm sure it's naptu that wrote this topic to justify his political leanings
No be only "i return to Nigeria"
Lamba everywhere

SixSeven:
People love company. I want you to understand something. I am not against going to any country that you have a date with to fulfill your destiny but one thing I know is that you can make it anywhere. That's why this life no balance.

If your vision is to be in Nigeria and it is working for you, it is not your job to do what your friends are doing. Nigerians are fond of doing what everyone is doing so they always think that because they have made money or living a comfortable life over there, it is better to invite you to join them. Don't forget many adults find it hard to make friends so of course, they will invite you as long as you don't become a burden. Why have comedians not left Nigeria? The market is here. They even have their families abroad but they never go abroad. Why? Because the market is here. Also, you have more money here if you do well though the standards of living may not be much like abroad but at the end of the day there is a reason why people come back home to retire. May God favor you wherever you are. Amen

If you are earning an income of up to 10m monthly in Naija, it's better to stay here. Earning a million and below, I will advise anyone to go abroad. I also think this abroad-home stuff is personal. My own reason is because of too much cold over there. But with this Tinubulation and uncertainty of Nigeria, if I have the means I will Japa too.

You be good storyteller and imagination wan kee you....
Channel your energy to sales, you'll excel more there

Spidermon:
➜Haaa...if you look around you, they abound ooo. There are some mechanics that do those numbers ooo. Food sellers, eateries, farms, traders etc Dont be myopic

I don't know of any mechanics that do those numbers each month. Neither do I know of any food sellers, eateries, farms, or traders who do anything close to the numbers you spout.

So, again, what legit business owner, not already in the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Nigeria, saves Naira 5 million after expenses each month in Nigeria? Even drug dealers who are not working with corrupt politicians have a hard time saving that much each month in Nigeria.

Ifeoluwadev:
Let me start by saying this: I know what you are thinking. "This guy don craze." Even my own mother cried when I told her I was coming back.

I left Nigeria in 2019. Got a visa through my company's transfer program, packed two bags, and landed in Manchester on a cold Tuesday morning that nearly killed my Lagos raised soul.

For 5 years, I did everything "right."

Got a better paying job. Sent money home every month. Upgraded my family's life. Got my indefinite leave to remain sorted. On paper, I was living the dream every Nigerian prays for at night.

But last December, I packed those same two bags now four and came back to Lagos.

Here is why.

1. I WAS LONELY IN A WAY I CANNOT FULLY EXPLAIN

Nobody warns you about this.

You can be surrounded by colleagues, housemates, even "friends" and still feel like a ghost. British people are polite but not warm. There is a difference. You will smile at your neighbor for 3 years and never know his first name.

In Lagos, my street alone has more genuine human connection than my entire postcode in Manchester. My landlord's wife used to bring me food when I was sick. My neighbor knew my name within 24 hours.

I did not realize how much I needed that until I did not have it anymore.

2. THE MONEY LOOKED BIG UNTIL IT DIDN'T

Yes, I was earning in pounds. But London/UK cost of living will humble you fast.

Rent: £900/month for a small flat. Food: £400/month if you cook mostly at home. Transport: £200/month. Bills: £150/month.

By the time you finish doing the math, that "big salary" is already half gone before you enjoy anything. And if you have family back home depending on you, which most of us do, you are effectively running two households.

Back in Lagos, with the savings and investments I had built up, I now run a small logistics business. Last month I cleared more in naira than I was taking home in pounds after expenses.

People forget to calculate purchasing power and cost of living when they are dreaming about abroad.

3. I WAS AGEING WITHOUT LIVING
This one is personal.

In the UK, my routine was: wake up, commute, work, come home, cook, sleep, repeat. Weekends were for grocery shopping and rest because Monday was always coming.

In Lagos, even with the chaos, there is LIFE. There is noise and owambe and suya at midnight and people who actually want to sit with you and argue about football for 3 hours. There is color. There is energy.

I went to the UK and became productive. I came back to Nigeria and started actually living.

4. MY PARENTS ARE GETTING OLD
I watched my father shrink over video calls. My mother's hair went completely white in 3 years. They never complained, that is the Nigerian parent way, but I could see it.

No amount of money sent home replaces presence. I know that sounds like something on a greeting card, but I promise you it is true. My father's face when I walked through the door in December is something I will never forget.

I refuse to be the child who shows up for the burial after spending the last good years sending money instead of time.

5. OPPORTUNITY IN NIGERIA IS UNDERRATED
This will be controversial, I know.

But hear me out. Nigeria is hard. The infrastructure is a disaster. Fuel prices are criminal. The government is not your friend.

AND YET, for someone with skill, international exposure, savings, and the willingness to grind, Nigeria rewards you in ways that a saturated Western economy cannot. The competition is not as fierce at the top. The gaps in the market are enormous.

I identified a logistics gap in my area. Started small. Now I have 6 staff and three vehicles. I am building something. In the UK I was building someone else's dream.

THE HONEST DOWNSIDES, I WON'T LIE TO YOU

Light situation is still a spiritual attack. Generator fuel is expensive. The roads want to kill me daily. Some things that should take 30 minutes take 3 days because of bureaucracy. I sometimes miss the simple efficiency of abroad. Ordering something and it actually arrives. Bills that just work.

I am not here to sell you a fantasy. Nigeria is hard. But it is MY hard. And I am building something meaningful inside it.

FINAL WORD

I am not saying don't Japa. If you have the opportunity and you are young, GO. Gather experience, save money, build skills, see the world.

But do not let anyone make you feel like returning home is failure. It is a choice. And for me, it has been the best one I ever made.

I am home. I am building. I am alive.


[/i]
Drop your questions or your own experience below, let us talk.

…



Werey re oooo !!! They don use juju drag u come huz you come dey preach for us here … travel from
Lagos - Ibadan and let Nigeria happen to you before you understand 😂😂😂😂

Chei! Village people finally got the op.

meobizy:
Tinubu’s government will chase this one back. He won’t write a report when the country finally frustrates him.

Lol