In recent years, one of the biggest trends in Nigeria has been the “japa” movement where many people want to leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
While a lot of Nigerians are eager to travel out, not everyone thinks about the challenges that come with moving. Don’t get me wrong, living abroad is a great experience, and I believe everyone should try it if they can. But just like anything good, it has its own problems especially in the first few weeks.
In this article, I’ll talk about six common problems that many Nigerians face when they first move to a new country. Knowing about these ahead of time can help you prepare and adjust more easily.
1. Dealing with a New Weather
People say nothing can break an African man — except the weather. One of the first big shocks you’ll face after arriving abroad is how different the weather is from Nigeria.
Imagine landing in a European country during winter. The cold is intense, and it’s probably like nothing you’ve ever felt before. It might even make you want to catch the next flight back home!
2. Adapting to new prices
Back home in Nigeria, you’re probably used to cheap taxi rides and affordable food from roadside vendors. But when you move abroad, you might be surprised at how expensive these things are.
At first, it can make you miss Nigeria a lot. But don’t worry after a few weeks, you’ll adjust to the new prices. Before long, you’ll be the one giving tips to new arrivals!
3. Diet change commotio
In Nigeria, it’s easy to walk into a roadside buka and order your favorite meal like amala and egufe or any local dish you love. But when you move abroad, things are different — those familiar bukas aren’t around anymore.
You might find it hard at first to get used to the foreign (“oyibo”) food and restaurants. But with time, you’ll adjust and find new favorites too.
4. Constant electricity
This might not sound like a problem, but depending on where you’re coming from, it is. In Nigeria, we’re not used to having constant electricity and that’s just the truth.
Now imagine moving to a country where there’s light 24/7. It’s exciting at first, but then comes the shock: the electricity bills. And trust me, your flatmates won’t care that you’re new you’ll still have to pay your share of the high energy costs right from your first week.
5. Getting used to the quiet lifestyle
If you’ve lived in a busy city like Lagos, you’re probably used to the fast life hopping on moving buses, dodging street touts, and navigating chaos like a pro. But when you move abroad, things are more organized.
Now imagine the looks you’ll get if you try any of those Lagos-style moves in a new country. No matter how calm you try to be, there will come a moment when you forget you’re no longer in Nigeria — and it’ll definitely show!
6. The Nigeria slang comedy
This is one of the funny things some Nigerians do during their early days abroad. Imagine someone shouting “conductor owa!” loudly at a train station when it’s time to get off — just like they would back home in a danfo. The looks they’ll get from people around will be enough to make them realize they’ve made a big mistake.
Don’t feel bad if you find yourself in similar situations. A lot of Nigerians have had these moments too. It’s all part of adjusting. After a few weeks, you’ll settle in, laugh about it, and even share your own stories with others.