NewStats: 3,264,554 , 8,184,079 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 01:43 PM 491e6b

I love the town I was born (it is not my ancestral home), but there is nothing in Nigeria that I would really miss (except move to a prison overseas).

There is nothing that tires me to Nigeria abeg.

I am living in a country that if they play the national anthem, I sincerely don't even know. A country I get discriminated against due to ethnicity and religion. I see it as advance large prison.

What I thought a country is (as a child), as an adult I found out that Nigeria is just pretending to be it. 20 years from now, your kids would look at today and laugh saying, "look they think they are in a democracy, loooook! They think they have human rights, holy shit, look! They think this is how people ought to live"

Rubbish disted and concocted story.

I am a graduate working with a state government...My salary can hardly feed me for one month. I do online teaching....I got interview with an international company for a remote teaching job tomorrow 29th.... There is total power outage from Lekki phase1 to 2 since last week Thursday.... I have to reschedule the interview till Next week. In fact I prefer to japa if have the resources. Its only in Nigeria people pray a ridiculous prayer like God let there be light, let there be good road after we have paid numerous taxes . I have continue to hate this country now.

What a fiction story! Police checkpoint In Lagos checking papers in the morning @office hour? Nah!

Person sued for naira equivalent of roughly £200,000. He won. But guess what, the money is no worth £20k and reducing on a daily basis while apeal process is ongoing.
No be juju be dat?

trium:


I hear you and I don't want to poison your mind but let me ask you a question, have you come in with a Nigerian-born lad who grew up in UK or US and came back as an adult, or even if they are abroad, they start yapping Nigeria

You see the maturity in how they view life. Even though they grew up privileged and richer than Nigerians, due to their economy, they don't compare. They seek to understand and respect you. At least, majority of them. A Nigerian who japa should know better than those naiive IJGB. That is what made me reply you but I may be going overboard in my reaction too. One thing I know about Nigerians is that while it is a good thing we aspire and compete, there is an unhealthy rivalry where we don't understand that people have time for everything. Something like God's time is the best? We want people to be in our own image instead of letting them go through life in their own process, problems and solutions.

I know those who have gone and come back, some will stay there forever but what I know is what everyone wants is different and until we taste the other side, we take the little things right in front of us for granted. I want friends who are happy for me, wherever I am even though it's not what they thought. My friends should be a form of and not remind me of pain but 'what can we do now?' And if you can't help, then don't stress. Again, I have learned that the way comedians tell the truth with a joke is how people tell us the truth with jokes too. Don't stand up to their comedy

Have a blessed relationship. Amen.

I don't know why you are hanging on somebody's else's rope. You want to give details of people who are totally strangers to you to someone who is their friend. Madness indeed has many colours.

RealLordZeus:

Thanks for the advice[b] but all i read into it was normal guy to guy banter[/b]

Yes, is actually what it is. The kind of banter you receive when your football team receive some humbling defeat. Nothing personal.

Aside the usual nepa disappointment, petrol que , police delays. There is something much more dangerous to worry about. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO LEAVE AMONG A PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD THE BASIC NEEDS OF LIFE. These people handle your food, your medicine e.t.c . They can do anything to earn a living. I will advice you take this japa matter very serious

You are not yet ready for the promotion otherwise you won’t have left your planing to the last minute. Seems like you are just looking for excuses to japa

Who leaves an empty tank car parked overnight a day to an important job interview?

Abeg make we hear word. Shuo! Japa this japa this.
OP, you didn't plan ahead. You know you work with an organization that don't have a back-up power supply and you couldn't have Plan B of providing your own source of power.E don be e don be.
BTW, this can't happen in IOCs office in Nigeria.There is 247 power supply during work hours.
No matter the Japaism fever ongoing, there are people in Nigeria making cool money legitimately and living their quiet life as well.

Let's make Nigeria to be great again.
Do the right thing in your niche.And keep demanding ability from political leaders.
God bless Nigeria!

samuelson06:


The 16-17M you quoted, is it for the first year while you look for something to do to pay for your second year of study? How far can you go with that amount?

16-17m is just part of your deposit and visa expenses + flight... whe u land in the UK... u still ha debt of abt 10m to complete if you wanna graduate

JoeyNaza:



16 -17 million ?, are you sure

Tuition alone should be above 10000 Pounds per year, isn't that 20 million ?
How about living expenses ?

This is for people that pay deposit from naija

I'm not talking abt the full tution

Mindlog:


Just only UK tuition fees of £15,000 is over N35m, so I don't know where you got your total budget of 16m-17m from!

Be calming down... some pay deposit of £3,500 from naija and secure dia visa...

Dey pay the rest when the land...

Not everyone pays full tution from naija

There's nothing wrong with looking for greener pastures anywhere in the world. GO where the opportunity is or are but don't trash your motherland on your way out (Doesn't mean you shouldn't speak truth to power) because she will always have a way of bringing existential issues to the front burner in due course.

No matter how difficult or challenging this country is, ensure to participate wisely in it's financial hubs. Seek information and educate yourself about it. That is one way of nation building even if you are not a resident of the country. Nothing stops you from doing the same in the nation you are migrating to. Hopefully everyone in the process get what they want. And as for those staying back , hopefully we open our eyes to see the opportunities that is all around us in spite of the unending generational challenges.

We will continually overcome. Viva Nigeria, viva Nigerians (Home and abroad)

trium:


I hear you and I don't want to poison your mind but let me ask you a question, have you come in with a Nigerian-born lad who grew up in UK or US and came back as an adult, or even if they are abroad, they start yapping Nigeria

You see the maturity in how they view life. Even though they grew up privileged and richer than Nigerians, due to their economy, they don't compare. They seek to understand and respect you. At least, majority of them. A Nigerian who japa should know better than those naiive IJGB. That is what made me reply you but I may be going overboard in my reaction too. One thing I know about Nigerians is that while it is a good thing we aspire and compete, there is an unhealthy rivalry where we don't understand that people have time for everything. Something like God's time is the best? We want people to be in our own image instead of letting them go through life in their own process, problems and solutions.

I know those who have gone and come back, some will stay there forever but what I know is what everyone wants is different and until we taste the other side, we take the little things right in front of us for granted. I want friends who are happy for me, wherever I am even though it's not what they thought. My friends should be a form of and not remind me of pain but 'what can we do now?' And if you can't help, then don't stress. Again, I have learned that the way comedians tell the truth with a joke is how people tell us the truth with jokes too. Don't stand up to their comedy

Have a blessed relationship. Amen.

Guy come down. You are taking it too far. I have guys too who throw such banters. No competition, no envy, just friendly yabbing. If you grew up in my large family circle, you go catch winch ( like they say in Warri) they have very caustic tongues but have the most generous heart and will give their lives for your sake but them fit yab you cry.

Cc reallordzeus

43Ronin:
It's already too late to japa. Western countries have shut their door. You should have left when others were doing so from 2021 to 2023. Now there are no jobs anywhere abraod. Immigrants are now seen as d unemployment problem. Dey ur dey oo or you go clean nyash/wash plate/do security tire for abroad

An average man or woman coming to abroad is not coming to take an office job nah...

Normal normal why u no go wash plate for abroad? Dey play...

We self wash plate
Do security
Do general cleaning
Of load for wearhouse before paper later drop...

Abeg if they hav the chance make anybody no dull oh

Yes d western countries has closed some door but little bit is still open for people to sneak in

Over 90% of my friends are in the UK , US, Middle East or Australia.
I also didn't have a japa mindset until recently.
Naija will make you suicidall.
In 2 years time max, I pray to review this post with an addendum from abroad.

RealLordZeus:
We are in the same boat..
The funny part is, all my friends that have Japa'd while I was reiterating my love for the fatherland now mock me almost on a daily basis.

To make matter worse, I could conveniently relocate my family then, but now the cost of relocating myself gan don my head...

Inflation has eroded all the gains saved..
I am tired.

Considering that relocation routes were more open and plenty then but have tightened up now, what route do u have in mind?

Even if you japa, you would still experience things based on your inability to plan ahead or plan for the known and unknown variables. In Atlanta, if you don't leave for work before 6:30am or after 10am, you are bound to encounter delays, if you drive during rainy season or winter, you're bound to be delayed by car wrecks. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive and the neighborhood, police go dey stop you on the regular especially if you're the type that forgets to buckle up or you love speeding

Depending on where you live in the USA, you're bound to experience hurricane or tornadoes causing electricity outage for a week or longer, you can be homeless in a blink of en eye if disaster strikes.

Depending on the city you live, you might be battling with gunshots and mad people, oh let's not forget you that love driving your vehicle on almost empty, e sure die you go need your fuel tpump replaced or fuel line flushed, no road side mechanic like 9ja wey go charge you cheap labor o, for here it could cost you anywhere from $1000 (1.7 milla).

Now now, you might be thinking haba shebi na to get abroad and gbam high income jobs dey await me for backyard........Not so fast Simba .

The probability of you getting an office job with a good pay within your first 3 years is less than 10% without connections. What is more likely is that you'll end up doing more blue collar jobs to make ends meet while you live with a rommate or a one bed apartment, you'll work your job or jobs just to be able to pay bills and forget savings o, na survival mode you go dey especially for UK, if you be woman you go find sympathy but if you be man even dogs go dey bark you until you make am!

Finally, yes 9ja is a terrible place and japa is a MUST for those who can see the writing on the wall but thread softly, not all japas are created equal. Arm yourself with as much information and resources as possible, know the laws and the place you want to japa, set realistic expectations and be prepared to work three times as hard as you're currently.....MAY THE ODDS FAVOR YOU!

Naa this isnt Nigerias fault but yours you have such an important meeting and failed to plan for it like who leaves their fuel tank on empty for a meeting. if you were smart you would have filled up your tank ahead of time or ordered for an uber and that would have saves you all the hassle

As for traffic that is your normal route and you should by now be well aware of the probability of traffic and factor it in your plans meaning give or take you should have planned to leave at least 1 hr ahead of time but you did not.

Nigeria did not happen to you. i feel you happened to yourself as you failed to prepare for your big day simple as that

Beekeeper1:
I’ve always been that person who says, “Naija till I die!” I grew up here, spent my whole life here, and I love this place like it’s part of my DNA. The food, the culture, the vibe—there’s just nothing like it. Even when my friends left for “greener pastures,” I was here, holding down the fort. “Who will remain to fix Naija if we all run away?” I’d joke.

But last month, my patriotism met its match.

It all started on a Monday morning—the kind that already feels like it’s out to get you before it even begins. I had a big presentation that day, one that could finally lead to a promotion. I got up extra early, suit pressed, slides perfected, and was out the door, determined to make a great impression.

Then NEPA happened. Halfway through my morning routine, the lights went out. No electricity. “No wahala,” I thought, scrambling to find my power bank for my phone and a flashlight to finish getting ready. I wasn’t going to let a little thing like no power stop me, right?

As I headed out, I noticed the fuel gauge blinking “empty.” Just my luck. I made a quick detour to the petrol station, only to be greeted by a line that looked like half of Lagos was there. An hour later, I was still in that line, watching the time tick by as my promotion dreams started slipping out of reach. But I finally got fuel, threw a thank you to the attendant, and sped off, hoping to make up for lost time.

And then I hit the traffic. Not today, please, I thought, gripping the steering wheel, whispering every “I cast and bind” prayer I knew. But Lagos traffic doesn’t answer prayers—it just swallows time, no matter how hard you beg.

I was almost at the office when I got stopped. You guessed it—police checkpoint. The officer took his sweet time inspecting my documents, dropping hints about “something for the weekend,” and I watched the last precious minutes melt away. By the time he finally waved me off, I’d missed my meeting.

When I finally got to the office, my boss didn’t even let me explain. She just gave me the look, that one that says, You had one job. I knew then that any hope for that promotion was gone.

That was it. I was drained, frustrated, and completely over it. It was like the universe was telling me, “Oga, it’s time to go.”

I don’t want to leave Naija; I really don’t. But sometimes, loving this place feels like being in a relationship with someone who just can’t get it together. You see the potential, the charm, the good heart underneath, but there’s always something—always some last-minute obstacle, some hidden clause that makes it so hard.

So yeah, I have a ‘japa’ plan now. I still love this place, and I always will. But maybe I need to love it from afar, with a little less “NEPA wahala” and a bit more stability. It’s a bittersweet plan, but hey, maybe one day I’ll come back, and Nigeria will be ready to meet me halfway.

Until then, my ‘japa’ plan is officially on standby. Because as much as I love this place, sometimes love just isn’t enough.

Exactly how I feel right now.

Sigh

Lol.. You were part of the problem, you knew you have a very important meeting the next day and you didn't fuel your tank in preparation for the next day.

tunjijones:
I am not asking you not to japa o or not to have a japa plan. I don't like the country either and I don't see the country getting better anytime soon.

But if you are a serious person and if you really need the promotion as much as you typed it here, you wld have looked for aboki to buy black market from. Those aboki guys are always around all filling stations, especially when there are long queues. You are not a serious person if you get to any part of the world things will still not work for you if you are not smart.

Staying on the long queue while the clock ticks away wasn't a smart move. Except this your story na big lie.....

exactly my point, what happened to black market fuel? It makes me feel it’s a cooked up story tho

DaddyGngeess:
I will wish you good luck but always to come back and do something great here, but the things you mentioned here can be avoided shakl, you bought fuel and iron ur clothes on the same day you have interview, you self check am now.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Beekeeper1:
I’ve always been that person who says, “Naija till I die!” I grew up here, spent my whole life here, and I love this place like it’s part of my DNA. The food, the culture, the vibe—there’s just nothing like it. Even when my friends left for “greener pastures,” I was here, holding down the fort. “Who will remain to fix Naija if we all run away?” I’d joke.

But last month, my patriotism met its match.

It all started on a Monday morning—the kind that already feels like it’s out to get you before it even begins. I had a big presentation that day, one that could finally lead to a promotion. I got up extra early, suit pressed, slides perfected, and was out the door, determined to make a great impression.

Then NEPA happened. Halfway through my morning routine, the lights went out. No electricity. “No wahala,” I thought, scrambling to find my power bank for my phone and a flashlight to finish getting ready. I wasn’t going to let a little thing like no power stop me, right?

As I headed out, I noticed the fuel gauge blinking “empty.” Just my luck. I made a quick detour to the petrol station, only to be greeted by a line that looked like half of Lagos was there. An hour later, I was still in that line, watching the time tick by as my promotion dreams started slipping out of reach. But I finally got fuel, threw a thank you to the attendant, and sped off, hoping to make up for lost time.

And then I hit the traffic. Not today, please, I thought, gripping the steering wheel, whispering every “I cast and bind” prayer I knew. But Lagos traffic doesn’t answer prayers—it just swallows time, no matter how hard you beg.

I was almost at the office when I got stopped. You guessed it—police checkpoint. The officer took his sweet time inspecting my documents, dropping hints about “something for the weekend,” and I watched the last precious minutes melt away. By the time he finally waved me off, I’d missed my meeting.

When I finally got to the office, my boss didn’t even let me explain. She just gave me the look, that one that says, You had one job. I knew then that any hope for that promotion was gone.

That was it. I was drained, frustrated, and completely over it. It was like the universe was telling me, “Oga, it’s time to go.”

I don’t want to leave Naija; I really don’t. But sometimes, loving this place feels like being in a relationship with someone who just can’t get it together. You see the potential, the charm, the good heart underneath, but there’s always something—always some last-minute obstacle, some hidden clause that makes it so hard.

So yeah, I have a ‘japa’ plan now. I still love this place, and I always will. But maybe I need to love it from afar, with a little less “NEPA wahala” and a bit more stability. It’s a bittersweet plan, but hey, maybe one day I’ll come back, and Nigeria will be ready to meet me halfway.

Until then, my ‘japa’ plan is officially on standby. Because as much as I love this place, sometimes love just isn’t enough.

LOL

Glad your eyes are wide open now.

From Nepa to Fuel to Traffic to Police Wahala😆😆.

Those who saw the picture long ago have all left.

It is not yet late to leave but it is now tough than before!!

Beekeeper1:

I was almost at the office when I got stopped. You guessed it—police checkpoint. The officer took his sweet time inspecting my documents, dropping hints about “something for the weekend,” and I watched the last precious minutes melt away. By the time he finally waved me off, I’d missed my meeting.

On a Monday morning?

Going by your post history, this bolded has confirmed you're a content creator and this post is just another episode of Things That Never Happened

Mindlog:


I believe some Japa-shamed those who left as a way to cope with their own inability to migrate. 😂

It sounds nicer coming from you. 🤐

Ishilove:

On a Monday morning?

Going by your post history, this bolded has confirmed you're a content creator and this post is just another episode of Things That Never Happened

Caught in 4K?

cococandy:


Caught in 4K?

.