Mancala:
Mr EgunMogaji2

In one of your previous posts on this threads, you said this:
The other thing is that the advent of internet has made internet banking easy. With sites like BossRevolution and others, one can easily fund local bank accounts

I've been looking for an alternative to Western Union which I consider safe but occasionally gives me lots of hassles. How would you rate BossRevolution vs WesternUnion. Any other recommended online sites? My concerns are around safety of banking and credit/debit card information.
Thanks

There are a lot of reliable agents you can use to send money to your Nigerian bank account within minutes, Azimo will charge you a flat rate of about £1.40 no matter the amount you are sending and you get your money within 10-20 mins or less.

Sendwave charges you nothing and your money gets into your Nigeria account in less than 5mins.

You also have transferwise and worldremit. All of them have far better rate than western union and faster.

I have used every single one of them without any issue.

All you need to do is to download their apps and set it up.

EgunMogaji2:


I hate Western Union, rates are not favorable and the fees are high.

I love BossRevolution for simplicity and speed. The fees are also very good. I think it was $3.99 to send up to $3K and they even waive that occasionally. I built my house primarily via BossRevolution and there was never an issue.

What I did was open a free checking at my local credit union and I use that account specifically for Naija stuff.

There are other money companies as you know and even some individuals on here but I prefer BR.

Thanks for the info. I have only used WesternUnion because I'm somewhat risk averse and old school and perhaps even a bit lazy. I will try BossRevolution.

justwise:


There are a lot of reliable agents you can use to send money to your Nigerian bank account within minutes, Azimo will charge you a flat rate of about £1.40 no matter the amount you are sending and you get your money within 10-20 mins or less.

Send-wave charges you nothing and your money gets into your Nigeria account in less than 5mins.

You also have transferwise and worldremit. All of them have far better rate than western union and faster.

I have used every single one of them without any issue.

All you need to do is to download their apps and set it up.

Wow, for real? Sendwave has no fees? How do they make money? Perhaps it's built into the exchange rate. I will give it a try. It would be awesome to have the money delivered in 5 mins. One of the issues with Western Union is that they sometimes hold up the transfer and start asking stupid questions (in my opinion). Money sometimes gets hung up for days when they promise an instantaneous transfer.

Thanks for the recommendations. It's good to have options. WU has seen me finish and has gotten arrogant!

Mancala:


Wow, for real? Sendwave has no fees? How do they make money? Perhaps it's built into the exchange rate. I will give it a try. It would be awesome to have the money delivered in 5 mins. One of the issues with Western Union is that they sometimes hold up the transfer and start asking stupid questions (in my opinion). Money sometimes gets hung up for days when they promise an instantaneous transfer.

Thanks for the recommendations. It's good to have options. WU has seen me finish and has gotten arrogant!

Yes that is how they make their money, you will even get about $5 free the first time you use them, so far i have used them x2 during xmas time to send money to relatives and it was crazy fast..3mins was the fastest service i received.

EgunMogaji2:
If you’re a returnee that misses Barnes and Nobles, someone on Twitter posted Jazzhole in Ikoyi.

It’s on my bucket list.

Iconic, been existing for decades

EgunMogaji2:


I’m really having a blast Sir. I feel pity for those who see nothing good about Nigeria.

I’ll be off next week to Saki to see how they make local iron pots. I have an idea that it’ll make for a good planter.

Some are hoping that I’ll join them in badmouthing Nigeria but the devil is a liar. We have crummy leaders but for the most part the citizens are the best. The culture is a outstanding. I can’t wait to go to Lokoja and see Rivers Niger and Benue.

Please share when you do.

Ive been to Igbo Ora and Saki, real rural hoods but lots of money there. Na good road be the problem if not Nigeria is faantastically beautiful maze

Ekiti and the mountains and hills there - breathtaking

Olalekank:
Top of the morning to you all.
Been following since the first page but a silent reader.

Some of us who are just starting out in our careers have been gaining some insights from here. It has really been beautiful reading @EgunMogaji2 experiences as someone who has seen life from both ends - the US and Nigeria.

This is not to attack anyone, but rather a plea. I would like to implore all of you to please let OP continue sharing his experience in peace. We do not get to see this sort of experience shared on nairaland frequently and the one we have has seen lots of pages riddled with posts that are of no benefit.

Na beg we beg, no be fight.
cc Nig4Greatness, justwise (I understand you are not against OP's move back to Nigeria but please let's reduce the back and forth 'arguments'), freecocoahubby, dustydee, Beautyaddy



Ride on OP. Would love to have a chat with you sir when next you decide to show in Lagos

Young Man, don't be a kiss ass. There is nothing wrong in asking questions when some stories don't add up!

I don’t understand the brouhaha this thread is generating.

Retiring abroad and returning to Nigeria is not because Nigeria is the better place to live or any big deal but because it is the most logical thing to do. I am going to the same thing too. No big deal. I don’t think anybody who was born in Nigeria and migrated abroad as an adult will like to stay forever in a foreign land. On retirement, the person would likely move back to naija. The only set of Nigerians I think that are likely to turn their back on Nigeria forever are half Nigerians (Nigerians with one foreign parent) and Nigerians that were born and bred abroad. These set of people have no emotional and cultural ties to Nigeria so it is not out of place for them to call USA or any other foreign country their home permanently.
Returning to Nigeria after retiring abroad is the most logical thing to do and here is why

1. I don’t think there is any Nigerian apart from the set of Nigerians I described above that will love to die and be buried abroad. People who are cultural, at some certain age start thinking of going back home to live their last phase of their life. After retiring abroad with children settled and living on their own, there is nothing much to do anymore. If the person dies abroad for instance, it costs so much to bring back the corpse to Nigeria and this makes no sense. So culturally inclined individuals would return in one piece and live the rest of their lives.

2. At that stage of life, the bullshits and nonsense going on in Nigeria will no longer get to you compared with how a 30+ year person will feel about the shits going on in the country. The retiree with loads of dollars in his account will be less bothered about light problems, bad roads and open dirty gutters littering the city, rule of law etc. Afterall, they have enjoyed those things for 30+ years of their life. At this stage, they tend to be more individualistic. They are less concerned about politics, economy etc. They are only interested about being healthy and enjoying their life the best way they can so that they can live longer. So if the 20-30+ years people are demonstrating for a better Nigeria, they will sit in their house and be drinking tea. It doesn’t concern them cos their Children are not even in Nigeria

3. Armed with citizenship of a first world nation, the retiree now based in Nigeria can travel to anywhere the want at any time. So it is not like they are stuck in Nigeria. So they can fly out of Nigeria for medical treatment if necessary

4. Retiring to any other place other than Nigeria does not make sense for a Nigerian. While the whites can afford to retire to any country like they do, unlike us, they are not culturally inclined. They can adopt any country as theirs and live, die and be buried there. They are not inclined to ancestral lineage like we do

I have a distant uncle who lived in the USA for about 40 years. He came back 3 years ago after he retired. Two years before he came back, he built himself one sweet house in an estate he called his retirement home. Rumor has it that he sold his house in New York above $500K and came back.(I don’t know if it is true). Mind you, all his children and grandchildren are established in the US so he has no responsibility. I learnt that since he came back 3 years ago, he and his wife still ensure they spend 3 months out of the 12 months outside Nigeria enjoying their lives.

For me, I am going to return to Nigeria after retiring. Like I said earlier, it is not because Nigeria offers better quality of life but because it is the most logical and reasonable thing to do. I just finished fencing about 3 plots of land I bought in the estate this my uncle built his retirement home. I am going to erect my retirement home there at some point probably when it is getting close to my return.

Please guys, this is my own opinion. Not interested in arguments. There is no right or wrong answer here

@Op, I wish you good health and long live as you enjoy your retirement journey

Kenn55:
I don’t understand the brouhaha this thread is generating.

Retiring abroad and returning to Nigeria is not because Nigeria is the better place to live or any big deal but because it is the most logical thing to do. I am going to the same thing too. No big deal. I don’t think anybody who was born in Nigeria and migrated abroad as an adult will like to stay forever in a foreign land. On retirement, the person would likely move back to naija. The only set of Nigerians I think that are likely to turn their back on Nigeria forever are half Nigerians (Nigerians with one foreign parent) and Nigerians that were born and bred abroad. These set of people have no emotional and cultural ties to Nigeria so it is not out of place for them to call USA or any other foreign country their home permanently.
Returning to Nigeria after retiring abroad is the most logical thing to do and here is why

1. I don’t think there is any Nigerian apart from the set of Nigerians I described above that will love to die and be buried abroad. People who are cultural, at some certain age start thinking of going back home to live their last phase of their life. After retiring abroad with children settled and living on their own, there is nothing much to do anymore. If the person dies abroad for instance, it costs so much to bring back the corpse to Nigeria and this makes no sense. So culturally inclined individuals would return in one piece and live the rest of their lives.

2. At that stage of life, the bullshits and nonsense going on in Nigeria will no longer get to you compared with how a 30+ year person will feel about the shits going on in the country. The retiree with loads of dollars in his account will be less bothered about light problems, bad roads and open dirty gutters littering the city, rule of law etc. Afterall, they have enjoyed those things for 30+ years of their life. At this stage, they tend to be more individualistic. They are less concerned about politics, economy etc. They are only interested about being healthy and enjoying their life the best way they can so that they can live longer. So if the 20-30+ years people are demonstrating for a better Nigeria, they will sit in their house and be drinking tea. It doesn’t concern them cos their Children are not even in Nigeria

3. Armed with citizenship of a first world nation, the retiree now based in Nigeria can travel to anywhere the want at any time. So it is not like they are stuck in Nigeria. So they can fly out of Nigeria for medical treatment if necessary

4. Retiring to any other place other than Nigeria does not make sense for a Nigerian. While the whites can afford to retire to any country like they do, unlike us, they are not culturally inclined. They can adopt any country as theirs and live, die and be buried there. They are not inclined to ancestral lineage like we do

I have a distant uncle who lived in the USA for about 40 years. He came back 3 years ago after he retired. Two years before he came back, he built himself one sweet house in an estate he called his retirement home. Rumor has it that he sold his house in New York above $500K and came back.(I don’t know if it is true). Mind you, all his children and grandchildren are established in the US so he has no responsibility. I learnt that since he came back 3 years ago, he and his wife still ensure they spend 3 months out of the 12 months outside Nigeria enjoying their lives.

For me, I am going to return to Nigeria after retiring. Like I said earlier, it is not because Nigeria offers better quality of life but because it is the most logical and reasonable thing to do. I just finished fencing about 3 plots of land I bought in the estate this my uncle built his retirement home. I am going to erect my retirement home there at some point probably when it is getting close to my return.

Please guys, this is my own opinion. Not interested in arguments. There is no right or wrong answer here

@Op, I wish you good health and long live as you enjoy your retirement journey

Congratulations on getting the land now. It’s more efficient that way. And amen to the prayer, I appreciate you.

Mancala:


Wow, for real? Sendwave has no fees? How do they make money? Perhaps it's built into the exchange rate. I will give it a try. It would be awesome to have the money delivered in 5 mins. One of the issues with Western Union is that they sometimes hold up the transfer and start asking stupid questions (in my opinion). Money sometimes gets hung up for days when they promise an instantaneous transfer.

Thanks for the recommendations. It's good to have options. WU has seen me finish and has gotten arrogant!

I use Wave as well and I think the rate is better than BR,fast and no charges as well.

PaulSimon2020:
Young Man, don't be a kiss ass. There is nothing wrong in asking questions when some stories don't add up!

I am NOT kissing any ass.

The point of my post is to not riddle the thread with irrelevant posts.. just like you and I did.

What's your business if any of his stories do not add up?

EgunMogaji2:


Excellent point Sir, thanks.

Whatever you do, do not entrust friends and family.

My suggestion is this:

1) Stockpile war funds little by little into your local bank account (never use your Nigerian address where you live in at your bank). You can do this from the comfort of your phone in the USA or most other developed countries. This is crucial. Don’t wait for a huge sum. Even as little as $500 is something.

2) Don’t waste your vacation. Stockpile them and come to Nigeria once a year for at least a month.

3) Before you arrive, work with a lawyer and/or realtor to setup property views for you. You’ll use your Nigerian phone number for this because you’re not calling from USA but from Abuja

4) Then use the lawyer for final details. Lawyers too can steal or swindle but only the most foolhardy will do it in this modern Nigeria.

5) Don’t buy in forests, don’t buy from yahoo estate that are using Ponzi schemes. Instead look for already developed area with properties that have cofo.

6) I’ll never advise anyone to go into a business without being on the ground.

Good luck.

Thank you sir.
Enjoy your retirement sir.

Nice thread!!

justwise:


There are a lot of reliable agents you can use to send money to your Nigerian bank account within minutes, Azimo will charge you a flat rate of about £1.40 no matter the amount you are sending and you get your money within 10-20 mins or less.

Sendwave charges you nothing and your money gets into your Nigeria account in less than 5mins.

You also have transferwise and worldremit. All of them have far better rate than western union and faster.

I have used every single one of them without any issue.

All you need to do is to download their apps and set it up.

Oga can my friend in Indonesia use all this method to send me money to Nigeria

MackyNaija:

Thank you for the info.
I currently work in a company that does business related to LMC0's product line so getting a job there wouldnt be difficult IF I want to move there.

My current plan is to increase my relevant work experience and only move for Senior Engineering roles. Growing within most times na hard work, jumping ship makes more sense.

As for pay... From what I have been gathering on Gl4ssdoor, I THINK they pay similar to or less than I currently earn - big name company doesn't Usually translate to big salary except for the FANGs.

Most times Americans do not like opening up as per what they earn and from my experience Lockheed Martin is one of the top companies that gets a chunk of contracts from the military and the military gets a very big funding from the US government,but I can’t fault your judgment...Good luck

odinga1of:


Oga can my friend in Indonesia use all this method to send me money to Nigeria

I'm not sure but your friend can check by logging in to one those websites to know if their services are available in Indonesia

MackyNaija:

Thank you for the info.
I currently work in a company that does business related to LMC0's product line so getting a job there wouldnt be difficult IF I want to move there.

My current plan is to increase my relevant work experience and only move for Senior Engineering roles. Growing within most times na hard work, jumping ship makes more sense.

As for pay... From what I have been gathering on Gl4ssdoor, I THINK they pay similar to or less than I currently earn - big name company doesn't Usually translate to big salary except for the FANGs.

Two of my colleagues did a coup. Worked diligently, got selected for training, got specialized certificates. Promptly jumped ship with the certificates to a competitor where they earned more. After a couple of years they got hired back. At end of the day they added $35K to their original pre excursion salary. Jumping ship is the quick fast way for pay raises. I’m a low risk kinda person so I stick around for the promotions, bonuses and annual raises My lengthy years of service allowed me to do early retirement. So it’s a double edged sword.

justwise:


There are a lot of reliable agents you can use to send money to your Nigerian bank account within minutes, Azimo will charge you a flat rate of about £1.40 no matter the amount you are sending and you get your money within 10-20 mins or less.

Sendwave charges you nothing and your money gets into your Nigeria account in less than 5mins.

You also have transferwise and worldremit. All of them have far better rate than western union and faster.

I have used every single one of them without any issue.

All you need to do is to download their apps and set it up.

Are they in US or only U.K.?

Apparently happens in Ghana too.

kellycute:
Nice thread!!

hello boss @kellycute please how can I reach you sir please I have some questions about safety courses in uae. thanks in anticipation of your response

rinzaugustine:
Are they in US or only U.K.?

They are in both USA and the UK, sendwave is actually based in USA.

Further to our side discussion about retirement, investment and influx of money.

"On the remittances from Nigerians in Diaspora, she said, “For 2019, we are dealing with about $25 billion as remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora. We hoping it could get better. There are even areas that are not even captured. The foremost remittances are not even captured; the $500 to your brothers, to your sisters.

“Beyond remittances, there are a lot more that Nigerians in the Diaspora will do for their country. We hope it gets better, we hope that Nigerians in the Diaspora continue to help in resuscitating the Nigerian economy.” Dabiri-Erewa, who said the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit was very successful, added that the commission would not abandon the returnees from South Africa."

Nigeria government is trying to follow Ethiopia in this regards.

So if you are able, don't wait too long to look back and invest in Nigeria as you can see, $25B came into Nigeria in 2019 and not counting the cash gifts to relatives.

On one of my trips about 6 years ago, I met an American couple (white) from Alabama (of all places) on my flight who moved (not sure it's retirement) to Nigeria to set up a farm in the East. They originally came as missionary and decided to go back and sell their stuff and move to Nigeria.

https://www.nairaland.com/5615830/diaspora-trust-fund-underway-dabiri-erewa#85541068

Wow!
Every Tom, Dick and Harry?
Like the Tom, Dick and Harrys do not also deserve to have their own 33 years experience and then come back like you to share their own stories.

Very interesting perspective!

EgunMogaji2:


The very idea that I, and many others, have the gonards to move back to Nigeria when almost every Tom, Dick and Harry is processing Canadian visa is shocking to some.

I glossed over the "a country that gave me everything" part because it didn't sound logical. Are we not supposed to go learn, experience and then come back home? Though mine took a bit longer because I started a family but I'm still proud that I made it back with excperiences.

Besides, in these societies like USA and UK where I believe he is based, the system makes you earn your ways if you're legitimate. You take out what you put into it basically. No free gift in Freetown.

Anyways, maybe this cynical view that some are showing is why African Americans are flocking to other African countries instead of Nigeria. I mean African Americans are moving to Africa but it's WW3 for a Nigerian to move back to Nigeria

EgunMogaji2:



6) I’ll never advise anyone to go into a business without being on the ground.

Good luck.

I endorse this!

EgunMogaji2:
Apparently happens in Ghana too.

Ghana is a lot easier to move back home to than Nigeria, heck, much easier even for a short term visit for non natives. But like Nigeria, it is expensive if you are trying to replicate your lifestyle in the States. The company I work for has multi million dollar investments in Ghana for their supply chain. Several Ghanaian-Americans moved back home to work there and are very happy at home. Nothing like being paid as an expatriate in your own country with all expense paid return trips to the U.S. whenever you need to come back . We tried Nigeria but just couldn't stomach the BS. I was planning to come home to work for a while if it panned out, but no show! Story for another day.

Talking about Surgeons going home to practice, I know Ghanaians and Nigerians that did that. The Ghanaian folks are happy and doing well. The Nigeria surgeons who I know personally are experiencing mixed results. They are very much fulfilled from a professional perspective because they get to handle a much wider variety of cases than what is available to them in their U.S. practice. Problem is their patients do not pay their bills and so their U.S. practice is subsidizing the Nigeria practice big time. Even the wealthy folks who used to travel to the U.S. for surgery and now go to them in Nigeria are owing big debts but still openly flexing like there is no tomorrow. Not bashing Nigeria, but one needs to recognize the realities on the ground and act accordingly. I have vowed never to work or do business in Nigeria beyond perhaps renting out properties. I no longer have the appetite nor the tolerance for dealing with wahala. I go to Nigeria to relax, enjoy my homeland and get enmeshed in my culture.

rinzaugustine:
Most times Americans do not like opening up as per reviews on what they earn....
...from my experience Lockheed Martin is one of the top companies that gets a chunk of contracts from the military and the military gets a very big funding from the US government,but I can’t fault your judgment.... Good luck

I know Lmco 'quite well', we are a Tier 1 & 2 supplier for Many of their product lines.

My belief is that rising up the ranks in a 'major' (using oil n gas terms) is easier when you come from somewhere else - a case of 'a pastor not being revered in his hometown' - and not thru their entry level development programs.


See Mogaji's post below..

EgunMogaji2:


Two of my colleagues did a coup. Worked diligently, got selected for training, got specialized certificates. Promptly jumped ship with the certificates to a competitor where they earned more. After a couple of years they got hired back. At end of the day they added $35K to their original pre excursion salary. Jumping ship is the quick fast way for pay raises. I’m a low risk kinda person so I stick around for the promotions, bonuses and annual raises My lengthy years of service allowed me to do early retirement. So it’s a double edged sword.

By the way, I love calculated high risks in situations like this.
Jump ships I must - make I deh learn the work and do my certifications.

EgunMogaji2:
Further to our side discussion about retirement, investment and influx of money.

"On the remittances from Nigerians in Diaspora, she said, “For 2019, we are dealing with about $25 billion as remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora. We hoping it could get better. There are even areas that are not even captured. The foremost remittances are not even captured; the $500 to your brothers, to your sisters.

This is a major factor protecting the country from total collapse.
As Nigerians in diaspora are injecting funds into the country, the massive effects of excessive plundering n swallowing of the commonwealth by the political class is not fully evident.

EgunMogaji2:
PART 5:

Now, we are in Nigeria, Ibadan specifically. I will not compare the USA to Nigeria but only reference when i find it necessary. The USA is light years of Nigeria and Nigeria can never match the USA in a million years, my personal opinion. So let's just dey our dey and they dey their dey

This is not to say that Nigeria will not make improvements. She will but it will be at a staggering low pace. You can have peaceful existence in both places or hard existence equally in both places. Messrs Dangote and Otedola are in Nigeria. Joe the whino is on skidrow in Los Angeles. May our blessings find us where ever we are at.

What I want to do in this part is introduce you to a few people. None of them knows me but they have an impact on why I decided to make my move when I did. Not all of them are in Nigeria, some are in Ghana and other African countries. I link specific videos that were of interest to me.

Jasmine Ama - Ghana
I watched a lot of her videos on Ghana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0UBhRbyIss

Kulu Vlogs - Northern Nigeria
I watched almost all her videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj607icqHBM

Tayo Aina Films - Lagos, Nigeria
I watched a lot of his drone videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn8_NdaibkQ&t=14s

If you watch only one video, this is it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKAFwjcx0gA

The Returneez
I watched a lot of the series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzvDAGMYz1c

Just to put this out there.

Enjoy.

________________________

Originally posted at Village Headmaster Forums / http://forums.villageheadmaster.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=52#p59

Here’s another returnee that doesn’t know me but was inspirational in my decision.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vabfmum3UBE

Thanks for sharing these informative videos. I really admire the fortitude and determination of the younger generation moving back to start something. I'm not sure I would have had the courage when I was at that stage of my life. Couple things I would like to put across to anyone thinking of moving home to start a business or career. Nigeria is much more than Lagos. Look beyond Lagos to cities like Ibadan, Aba, Kaduna, Enugu and the likes. If you're starting a business, think broad and include the entire West Africa as market potential. Like they say about Vegas, most moneys made in Lagos stays in Lagos . Also, don't be carried away with the party life you see in some of these videos. You will regret it except you're bringing an unlimitless supply of forex like our big Maquerade EgunMogaji2
Second point. Start making a plan for your retirement the minute you land back in Nigeria. Don't eat your dinner for lunch. With the continuous inflation and devaluation of the local currency, it is easy to fall into poverty if your income is in local currency without some sort of inflation adjusting mechanism.
Thanks again for sharing the videos.

Mancala:
Thanks for sharing these informative videos. I really admire the fortitude and determination of the younger generation moving back to start something. I'm not sure I would have had the courage when I was at that stage of my life. Couple things I would like to put across to anyone thinking of moving home to start a business or career. Nigeria is much more than Lagos. Look beyond Lagos to cities like Ibadan, Aba, Kaduna, Enugu and the likes. If you're starting a business, think broad and include the entire West Africa as market potential. Like they say about Vegas, most moneys made in Lagos stays in Lagos . Also, don't be carried away with the party life you see in some of these videos. You will regret it except you're bringing an unlimitless supply of forex like our big Maquerade EgunMogaji2
Second point. Start making a plan for your retirement the minute you land back in Nigeria. Don't eat your dinner for lunch. With the continuous inflation and devaluation of the local currency, it is easy to fall into poverty if your income is in local currency without some sort of inflation adjusting mechanism.
Thanks again for sharing the videos.

Great pointers.

Nigeria could actually be fairly expensive if one isn’t structured properly,