The idea of relocating abroad has become almost every Nigerian’s dream. With images of stable systems, better pay, and beautiful cities, life overseas often looks like the perfect escape. But beyond the surface, what does living abroad really look like compared to life back home?
Let’s take a calm, honest, and human look at both sides.
1. Earnings & Expenses: Balancing the Scale
Abroad, salaries are undeniably higher. But the expenses rise just as fast. Rent, transportation, taxes, healthcare, and even the cost of basic items can be overwhelming.
In Nigeria, the income may be lower, but your living expenses are often more manageable, and support from family and community can reduce financial pressure.
So yes, you earn more abroad but you also spend more.
2. Quality of Life: Systems That Actually Work
One major attraction of moving abroad is structure. Electricity is steady, public services work, and daily life follows a predictable pattern. But this comes with strict rules, no shortcuts and no “let’s manage it.” For example, if a bus abroad is scheduled for 8:42, it arrives at 8:42 and leaves immediately. You can’t flag it down or or ask the driver to “please wait small.”
Nigeria, though less structured, offers flexibility and creativity. If you’re running late, you can call the driver or conductor and say, “Abeg hold on, I dey come,” and there’s a good chance they’ll actually wait. And when things break, there’s always someone who can repair them with clever, affordable solutions. Nigerians naturally adapt and improvise, making life move even with limited resources.
In short, abroad offers structure, while Nigeria offers flexibility and creative adaptability.
3. Social Life: The Invisible Cost
Life abroad can be emotionally challenging. People are busy, friendships take time to build, and the feeling of isolation can be real.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is rich in community and connection. From neighbours to colleagues to friends, relationships form naturally. There is warmth, humour, and a shared understanding of culture.
You may gain comfort abroad but lose the closeness that comes effortlessly at home.
4. Career Growth: Structure vs. Hustle
Abroad, career development is often clear and structured, with well-defined pathways for growth. Hard work is noticed and rewarded. For example, if you want to become an entrepreneur—say, start a small catering business, you will require formal registration, certifications, inspections, insurance, and strict tax compliance, a long but organized process and once completed, the system supports your growth.
In Nigeria, career progress may not always follow a straight line. But opportunities still exist especially for those who are innovative, flexible, and willing to explore unconventional paths. With the same catering example, you can start small from home, build customers through word of mouth, family, friends and social media, and scale gradually before formal registration. The system may be informal, but it gives room to test ideas quickly and grow through hustle and innovation.
Abroad is structured; in Nigeria, hustle drives success.
5. Cultural and Emotional Identity: The Heart of the Matter
Nigeria has a unique charm, from our food to our music to our sense of humour. There’s a familiar energy in everyday interactions that many people miss deeply when they leave.
Abroad offers stability, but Nigeria offers identity.
Final Thought
Life abroad is not automatically better, and life in Nigeria is not automatically worse. They are simply different worlds, each with its own advantages and challenges. What truly matters is choosing the environment that supports your goals, your mental well-being, and the kind of life you want to live.
Whether you choose to stay in Nigeria or build a future abroad, the best decision is the one that brings you peace, purpose, and progress.
