Today is October 1st, Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day. Nigerians, both at home and abroad, are discussing some of the ongoing issues trailing the most populous black nation. Everyone is advocating for methodologies to help the nation progress and transcend from the squalor it is currently clogged in.
In this article, eelive.ng will be discussing with five Nigerians who are outside the shores of the sub-Saharan nation. They’ll be talking about what they understand about the concept of October
1st. However, it’ll be predominantly from a family-friendly and fun perspective; it’ll simply be lighthearted.
Before delving into the interview and conversation with Nigerians in the diaspora, we will be talking about what readers should know about Nigeria.
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What do You Know About Nigeria?
According to information gathered by eelive.ng, Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. Protected areas such as the Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna, and rare primate habitats. One of the most recognisable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.
ALSO READ: Japa Story: Understanding Why Nigerian Men Prefer Women Back Home to Those Abroad
Nigerians in Diaspora, Over to You…
eelive.ng gathered information from various Nigerians who are outside the shores of the country.
In this interview, they’ll be shedding light upon their various perspective about being home and away.
The interviewees will be discussing what they miss about Nigeria.
Read what they have to say about privileges below:
‘I Miss the Nigerian Community’- Mercy
Speaking with eelive.ng, Mercy had this to say about missing the Nigerian community.
I do not really see “Nigerian privilege” as a privilege in the typical sense. To me, it’s just life. It’s the culture. Being abroad has helped me notice how much I miss it and how special it actually is.
In Nigeria, there is always a sense of community. You never really feel alone. Strangers greet you, neighbors check on you (even if it’s only to have something to gossip about), and there is always someone to talk to. Even if there are reasons not to be happy, you will still hear laughter on the streets. Someone is cracking a joke, playing music loudly, or selling something. There is always movement and always energy.
I also miss how easy it is to make friends. You can meet someone once, and suddenly you are eating together or going out somewhere. It feels so natural. There is no need to plan too much; things just happen. In Nigeria, you can wake up and decide to visit a friend even without letting them know you’ll be visiting, and it feels normal.
Oh my, I miss the food. Street food, party jollof, even just buying suya or roasted corn on the road. There is something about the food that feels like home. And the music too. There is always music playing somewhere, whether you want to hear it or not. It makes life feel colorful.
Being abroad has taught me that what we had back home was a gift. The noise, the smell, the warmth, the way people care. Those little things are what make Nigeria beautiful.
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‘We Don’t Take Education Seriously in Nigeria’- Emmanuel
Emmanuel spoke about the shambolic education system in Nigeria.
Here is what he has to say:
The way we take education and growth seriously in Nigeria, my counterparts here don’t even do half of it, and they are doing better in life. From the age of 18, you can take a job as a Nursing
Assistant, while also doing an apprenticeship to become a nurse in 3-4years. You study and work and still get paid, you don’t have to pay for the Nursing Degree, it’s totally free, like FREE!
As of 22-23, you are a Nurse and set for life. At 22, a lot of us were still struggling with JAMB and admission.
This is just an example of the field I’m in here in the UK. There are other fields that offer apprenticeships, too. You don’t necessarily have to go to university to get a job and be okay.
As a Nigerian, my bro, there is no benefit; instead, you get disadvantages. By mentioning you are a Nigerian, you pass a message that everyone “Beware, a Nigerian is here”.
I tell you a story, bro, when I was in Dubai working in a Café. An Emirati came into the cafe one day and was having a conversation with the staff, and we were all joking around until he asked What was my nationality?
Immediately, I mentioned Nigeria. He said, “Ah, Nigerians, they are Dangerous but hard-working and Smart.” I can’t explain how I felt that day, bro, for a Job I barely started and was still trying to settle in. I couldn’t say anything, though glad my Philippine Manager spoke for me and said I was different.
She said I was indeed hardworking and smart and one of her best staff, even though I had just started. Imagine I had a bad record with her; no way was she going to speak up for me.
As a Nigerian, you are already at a disadvantage.
Explains why everyone is running away to get another passport, even if not for themselves but for their kids.
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“I Miss the Social Life in Nigeria”- Michael
First, being a Nigerian, I think the privilege attached is not related to any form of government benefits or incentives, but rather a sense of getting to understand the reality of life from a tender
age. For instance, I already knew from a young age that I can’t always get what I wanted on a platter; rather, I have to hustle my way for it (That is the hustling spirit and goal-getting mindset), built on the fact that you only receive help when you make the move.
Further, I think the only thing I miss is what I call it privilege? Well, maybe is just the social life in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a Blessed Country with Beautiful People”- Oluchukwu Nneoma
I will describe the Nigerian privilege in different ways, the unique advantages of being Nigerian.
Nigeria is a blessed country with beautiful people.
There are so many advantages to being Nigerian. Nigeria, as a country, encourages you to have access to learn more than one language at a time without having to visit the four walls of a school (English as a general language).
The hustle culture; one cannot truly say they are Nigerian without understanding the hustle culture. It’s a privilege to be taught how to find one’s daily bread, no matter the situation they find themselves in.
Nigerians are never known to be weak or dependent on others for their next meal. Nigerians are taught to hustle no matter the situation they find themselves in, be it school, work, business, etc.
The catchy phrase of ‘naija no dey carry last’ always comes into play when you meet a Nigerian. Nigeria is rich in culture; we are exposed to different ways of life. Aside from the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria (Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa), Nigeria is known to have over 250 ethnic groups with different dynamics and ways of practice. Nigerians have rich family values that are passed down from one generation to another.
Let’s come down to Networking. Nigerians always find ways to create platforms for growth and expansion, no matter the situation they find themselves in. The name ‘The Giant of Africa’ comes into play for a reason. Then we have the diverse food and social life. Nigeria is known to ’work hard and play harder’; as hardworking people, Nigerians also know how to rest and socialise
when need be.
The privileges I miss abroad are the food and social connections, the family connections, and access to cultural activities. I miss the freedom of expression and the street hustle, the sense of belonging, you can literally connect with anyone in Nigeria, no matter the time and place, secretly miss shouting ‘Up NEPA’, no matter how many times the name of the power holding company
company changes, miss the noisy generators and gossiping neighbors, miss the kids running in the rain and dancing to the rainbow when it comes out after the rainfall, secretly miss the
Moonlight stories were where we gathered at night to hear tales of long-lost, forgotten histories.
I secretly miss the street food that can be gotten at affordable rates, I miss the rentage pattern, and how one can find affordable housing, the puff puff we get to buy at bus stops, and so much more.
All these entail being Nigerian and how we connect to home, as someone who has visited over 16 states since a country with 36 states, I can tell you one thing for sure. Nigerians are loved
Everywhere they go, aside from being empathic and kind-hearted, a Nigerian would always choose to be Nigerian anytime and any day.
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“Nigerian Privilege is Rooted in Community and Resilience”- Samuel
For me, Nigerian privilege is rooted in community and resilience. There’s always this unity and vibe you feel at home, people genuinely look out for one another, whether they know you personally or not…. Nigerians also have this rare ability to create happiness for themselves, regardless of circumstances. We don’t wait for the perfect situation to celebrate life; we find joy in little things, in our music, in our festivals, and in our shared experiences and lifestyle.
Another part of this privilege is our creativity when it comes to solving problems. Give a Nigerian any challenge and somehow, we’ll find a way around it. In fact, as someone said to me. You want to get a job done in no time? Find a Nigerian in that line. That spirit of resourcefulness is something I carry with me everywhere.
Naija na hustling men, and that was like the biggest privilege that I witnessed in that part of the training.
I miss the festivals and cultural moments that could completely captivate you and put you on your feet. There’s nothing like that energy here. I also miss how easy it was to get help. That freedom to just start something is something I value deeply, sometimes over documentation de kill a dream.
