Tricia Iwuoha
For many Nigerians, the dream of leaving home to live abroad is often fueled by one belief: “Life is better over there.” The promise of greener pastures whether in the UK, the US, Canada, or Europe, beckons thousands each year. But while life abroad offers opportunities and exposure, the Nigerian diaspora experience is layered with both triumphs and trials.
The First Taste of Reality
The first shock for most migrants isn’t just the weather, it’s the cost of living. The pound, dollar, or euro may be stronger than the naira, but so are expenses. Rent often swallows a huge portion of income, especially in cities like London, Toronto, or New York. Add utility bills, groceries, and transportation, and many quickly realise that money earned abroad can disappear as fast as it comes in.
Many Nigerians recall their early days abroad when they would convert every expense back into naira sometimes hesitating over the price of a simple drink or bus ticket. But over time, the mindset shifts. Living abroad teaches you to think in foreign currency, to budget wisely, and to stretch every cent or penny.
Holding on to Home
Food is often the bridge between home and abroad. African grocery stores, though expensive, become hubs of nostalgia where migrants hunt for egusi, stockfish, or plantain. Cooking Nigerian dishes is more than a meal it’s a connection to identity. Celebrations like Christmas, Independence Day, or naming ceremonies also take on new meaning abroad, bringing diasporans together in a shared longing for home.
Language, music, and fashion – ankara prints, Afrobeats, pidgin banter become cultural anchors. In cities with large Nigerian populations, communities thrive, making the experience less lonely. But in smaller towns, migrants often navigate isolation, trying to find belonging in unfamiliar spaces.
The Weight of Expectations
A central part of the diaspora experience is the culture of remittances. Family and friends back home often see those abroad as wealthy, not always realising that many migrants are just one missed paycheck away from financial strain. Sending money home becomes both a duty and a source of pride, yet it can also be a heavy burden.
The “Japa wave” Nigeria’s recent surge in migration has only heightened these expectations. Many who leave are pressured to succeed quickly, to justify the sacrifices of leaving loved ones behind.
Navigating Love and Loneliness
For younger migrants, life abroad can be both liberating and lonely. Dating cultures differ, and the absence of extended family support systems is deeply felt. Marriages face unique pressures, and raising children in a foreign culture brings its own challenges. Yet, for many, the diaspora also becomes a place of growth where love stories are rewritten and new families are built.
The Double Identity
Perhaps the most defining aspect of the diaspora experience is learning to live between two worlds. Abroad, Nigerians often face stereotypes, racism, and the struggle to prove themselves in competitive job markets. At home, they’re seen as “the ones who made it.” This double identity shapes resilience, pushing many to excel in academics, business, and creative industries.
From the UK’s NHS nurses to Canada’s tech engineers, from Nollywood actors in America to Nigerian restaurants in Germany, the diaspora has become a force that not only thrives abroad but also enriches the homeland through remittances, investments, and cultural exchange.
More Than Survival
Ultimately, life abroad teaches lessons beyond survival. It teaches contentment, the value of financial discipline, and the importance of community. It reminds Nigerians that “making it” isn’t just about money, but about building a life of dignity, balance, and purpose even far from home.
For many, the Nigerian diaspora experience is not simply about escape. It’s about reinvention. It’s about proving that no matter how far from home, the Nigerian spirit endures resilient, ambitious, and unbreakable.
