₦: The naira is the currency of Nigeria
My homecoming wasn’t all sunshine, they were dark clouds. I was perfectly happy in the bubble I lived in; hardships were unknown to me, and the complexities of life and its heartaches were far from my understanding. I remember hearing about the pain that existed, but I was blissfully unaware. As I returned, 10 years older and wiser, aware of life in its ugliness, the Nigeria I remembered was gone; the bubble had finally burst.
Returning home to Nigeria, I was struck by the weight of a powerful and daunting statement that echoed: "May Nigeria not happen to me." This phrase, now a consistent affirmation, reflects the increasing uncertainties plaguing our nation. It highlights the dangers faced by Nigerians in the diaspora upon returning home, it has evolved into a testament of hardships endured by all who reside within Nigeria's borders.
My journey began sweet but quickly turned sour. From safety concerns to economic instability, from electricity shortages to rampant corruption, the challenges are overwhelming. Experiencing these challenges firsthand is a whole different journey. Having job interviews or scheduled calls and praying the power doesn’t go out . Walking down the street and feeling unsafe, hoping no one could smell abroad on me. Many parts of the country suffer from prolonged blackouts, and necessities are scarce.
It's no wonder that most Nigerians opt to stay away entirely or make brief visits, even keeping loved ones unaware of their whereabouts. The fear builds up in you, in your homeland. Hoping and praying to avoid bumping into someone that is unaware of my presence in Nigeria. The intentions of those around you are unknown, so you hide away.
“A Divisional Police Officer (DPO), once said Nigerians should rather find a way to protect themselves from thugs, hoodlums and miscreants”
These national crisis' affects us all, regardless of where we reside. The struggles have become too burdensome for the average Nigerian to bear. "May Nigeria not happen to you" is both a prayer and a lamentation, born out of decades of frustration with leaders who fail to prioritize the welfare of their citizens. My homecoming is at a fragile time for my nation, an election year. I was entirely concerned about the outcome of these elections, many in power will do anything to hold on to it. The ray of hope that Peter Obi provided was not enough to shield us from the danger. Saturday, February 25, 2023, I sat in my house praying for the safety of loved ones who dared to vote against the norm and vote for a change. We all know now the results of that choice.
Even wealth offers little protection against the stark reality of our unstable nation. With a minimum wage that barely sustains life and skyrocketing prices for basic goods, survival seems like an insurmountable challenge. Inflation is too weak a word to describe the deranged state of Nigeria’s economy. For perspective, the current minimum wage in Nigeria is ₦30,000, which is $65 and about €60. And now cheapest valuable thing you can buy is ₦500. The ₦5, ₦10, ₦50 notes are valueless. Times were I would go grocery shopping, and watch the haggling culture increase because the prices from last week are now a distant memory. 10 years ago, when my parents would give me ₦200 or ₦500, to take to school for snacks, feeling like Bill Gates, I would spend it over a couple of days.
Anyone who has been to a female hair salon in Nigeria knows the stories you hear and leave with are legendary. During my homecoming, I decided to take the time to learn some hairdressing skills. I heard so many stories of people's japa plans for nations like Ghana, Switzerland, Canada, and the UK. Hearing the stories of lost hope, women complaining about how difficult, it is getting to send their children to school, afford food, and brainstorm multiple businesses to bring more income to their households. This negative sentiment towards life in Nigeria is disheartening, but it reflects the harsh realities we face. Japa, meaning "escape" in Yoruba, symbolizes the exodus of citizens in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The desire to leave is palpable, with surveys indicating a significant increase in the willingness of Nigerians to relocate abroad.
The 2022 survey by Africa Polling Institute reported that 73% of Nigerians would relocate out of the country if given the chance, compared to the 32% from 2019.
There's no quick fix, and no single leader can remedy the situation. What we need is a complete overhaul – a Noah's Ark reboot, if you will. This entails uprooting corrupt and entrenched leaders and ushering in a new generation of leaders who are attuned to the needs and aspirations of the nation. It's time to deflate the egos of those who have long held sway over Nigeria's resources, enriching themselves at our expense. Only then can we hope for a brighter future for our beloved nation.
References:
https://newtelegraphng.com/protect-yourselves-police-tell-nigerians/
https://africapolling.org/2021/09/08/nigeria-is-much-more-divided-today-than-4-years-ago-new-api-survey/