MIGRATION: KNOW YOUR NEW COUNTRY

So I came across this interesting video on TikTok about a young Nigerian who had gotten to London for her degree. Fortunately for her, she did not factor in the cost of living in a new country, which was far beyond what her parents could afford. Thus, she settled for a brown-collar job that paid about 8 pounds per hour and as a student, she could only work 20 hours a month. This was not enough to cater for her rent which was about 300 pounds per month.

For someone who went through Uni struggling, I understand how this is not a decent way to live and learn. Some people can navigate such struggles efficiently. However, for someone like myself who is very single-minded, I can not concentrate when I am worrying about rent and food. Plus, I have people back at home who would need my support. This is one of the reasons why I have never considered the educational route out of this country.

Starting afresh in a new country is a daunting task. I remember my father's experience. It is almost a miracle how he was able to succeed in a country where he knew no one. However, not that many people are lucky. He told me stories of many Nigerians abroad who were living terrible lives and were unable to return home because they did not have the means. This and some other factors are the reason many people decide to remain in this hellhole.

I was speaking to one of the riders I drove recently about my migration plans. He highlights most of the challenges of living aboard, which are quite apparent to me but are never enough to remain here. Despite how I feel about my country, it is easier to make money here than overseas. The caveat here would be capital.

Nigeria is probably one of the easiest places to double your capital over time with the right investment--if all things are equal. This is why the super-rich remains here. Impunity is at its peak, thus, you can get away with a lot of irregularities. However, for the common man who has no leverage, Nigeria can be a nightmare--a dark one.

So for the said lady, if she can navigate through her current predicament, I believe in a few years she should be able to land a decent job that would compensate for her temporary discomfort. If she had decided to remain in Nigeria, she could have to deal with paying so much for food and accommodation; she could have a dignified job that pays her peanuts and all the illusion of comfort that entices the Nigerian supposed middle class but her woes will be unending.

Before writing this post, I thought I had a better life than the supposed lady. Maybe I do but it's only in the short run. I can only try to rationalize the reality of living in a system that doesn't work because I am enabled to dream and live above the average, but there are consequences to this delusion.

What this story has taught me in essence is to have a detailed plan which in most cases comes from research and asking valid questions. Life outside Nigeria is quite difficult from what many of us are used to, so it is imperative to ask questions.

What's the weather like in the country?

What's the cost of living in the said country?

What's the minimum wage in the said country?

These are important questions to ask to help inform your decision to migrate. Every country has its challenges and you cannot just deal with them as they come because unlike Nigeria, where every and anything goes, most countries have functional systems and you must work in line with them to have a good experience in those countries.