Could Nigeria Be Home Permanently?

Nigeria  is a country estimated of around 167 million people. English being it’s official main language with other languages, Yoruba, Ibo and Hausa. Its main religious beliefs are Christianity, Islam and indigenous beliefs. It is known to be the most populous country in Africa. Nigeria is one-third larger than Texas and is situated on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. The government today is run by a multiparty government which has formally been transitioned from a military to civilian rule.

As I sit in Nigeria I have to say that there is always something incredibly amazing and exciting about going home. Every time I do go back I fall more in love with my parent’s country. My parents are originally from Nigeria and although I was born and raised in England, I still consider Nigeria a country that I can call home.

For me going home has become very personal to me, it goes as far as growing up in a very predominately white neighbourhood where as a young child I knew nothing to very little about either of my parent’s cultures (my mother being Igbo and my father being Yoruba). However, as I have got older I have wanted to gain more knowledge and insight on my parents culture so when I did start going to Nigeria I began to really appreciate the country and gain real excitement  about learning something new, culturally or historically.

 Nigeria as a country, has and is becoming very important to me even up to today.

In the last year, I have encountered a growing number of young people who are considering, or have now gone back to Nigeria to start a new life, and with the lack of opportunities that young people appear to be facing in the UK, the Motherland does seem less far reaching than it has done previously.

Me In Nigeria-wearing Delta Igbo traditional clothing.

Since I lived in Singapore as a student I have always had interest in moving abroad and starting a new life where there is opportunities for me to take so when my friend sent me this video  ‘Nigeria: the “repats” who have returned. It got me questioning myself on whether I myself would move to Nigeria.

Indeed there seems to be a fresh era of people who want to challenge the stereotypical views of Nigeria which, have been portrayed by the media and for some of us our parents.

But believe me when I say more and more young people are now seeing Africa in a new light and want to challenge the perception of the country by starting industries, building land and improving Nigeria’s country infrastructure and growing economy.

young people are now seeing Africa in a new light…

Someone like me that studied International Politics at Kings College London, being able to go back to Nigeria and get into the political industry has been seen to be a struggle amongst my family and peers. Nigeria  is perceived to be a country that suffers from huge political corruptions. However, there appears to be a new government… The new President Muhammadu Buhari has shown his quest to kill the high levels of corruption that lies heavily in this country (others may disagree).

So would I personally move to Nigeria?

For me I know that it would be exciting I have had past friends and family that have or are currently doing NYC who had said that the locals had said that for us “repats” coming to Nigeria was an adventure. Whilst this stereotype may be true there is a keen interest for “repats” to promote a new image of Nigeria as an upwardly mobile population who have masses of opportunities.

The more the year goes by, I am seeing more migrants return back to Nigeria not only just to visit families and friends, but also to launch business and to start new lives. It is becoming more and more acceptable to see Nigeria as the land where the economy is vastly growing, which inevitably is eradicating the portrayal ‘poverty porn’ image and negative stories of Nigeria.

If I was going to move to Nigeria I would need to convince my Farther first and I think I have a long way getting around that, but it is definitely something that I would never rule out of my life.

I personally would like to think that moving anywhere was an adventure, but at the same time I think that moving to Nigeria is a huge decision that could provide huge benefits for anyone that is willing to grab it with both hands. Even if you do not move at least go home to visit.

I don’t know guys … Maybe it is time to go home.

Remember:  It’s ok if life knocks you down, it’s just not ok if you stay down!