My first thoughts on Nigeria or Bella Naija as i like to call it… I wrote this a while ago but it’s taken me a while to get round to posting it as there is just too much going in this Lagos to find the time!
What’s it really like to live in Nigeria?
I’m sorry to have to disappoint you all, i know you wanted me to have a bad time, i know you wanted me to turn around the minute i arrived. I know you wanted to be right about all that you have read in the Daily Mail, BBC News and all the other Western news outlets that spout nothing but negative press about Nigeria. But happily i can tell you that from where i’m standing it’s wrong.
Didn’t you all laugh your socks off when the same news teams reported that the UK is an Islamic state a year or so ago? Nigeria has similar unbalanced messages going out too. Boko Haram are not hiding behind every corner waiting to steal people, i’m more likely to get married off by an over zealous Aunty to some tall and handsome Nigerian than get kidknapped (that’s for another blog post!)
What’s the best thing about Naija life?
I have had a wonderful welcome to Nigeria the hospitality and kindness of extended friends and family has been fabulous. I now have a cast of aunties ready to feed me at the mention of any local speciality. Heaven for a feeder and much to the great amusement of most. I’m not sure what they expect me to eat, but apparently it’s not bitter leaf soup or okra soup with my hands!
Is Nigeria a scary place to live? Can you go out?
So many people physically winced when i said i was going to Nigeria “watch out for this, watch out for that” “you’ll get kidnapped/swindled/stolen/attacked/robbed” or “oooh that airport is crazy, you’ll get hustled the minute you get off the plane” If you don’t do your research then yes that’s possible, but give me some credit people i have been to A LOT of places by myself and lived to tell the tale. I was prepared, i had everything i needed and then some so i sailed through. There was an attempt at a shake down for yellow fever immunisation that you don’t really need, but i had it anyway (just in case!) so i was fine.
Do check the travel advice from the experts at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office before you travel to make sure you have everything you need health and Visa wise for Nigeria.
No two days are the same in Nigeria
This country has it’s issues just like any other country in the world, water and light can be unreliable. The roads and drains leave a lot to be desired, but there is an indomitable spirit and practicality to life that makes me smile every day. Every day i see people here that are their finding their way, not because they want to like i do but because it is their only way to survive. I am endlessly impressed by the ingenuity and resilience of people in Nigeria. From the man who runs a barbers with a broken piece of mirror tacked to the wall on Victoria Island, the guy who carts a seriously overflowing wheelbarrow full of mobile phone accessories around Lekki, the breast cancer survivor who saw an opportunity to sell health supplements when she was feeling poorly in her chemo room, to the men and women that hawk everything from food & drink, to car accessories and mobile phone top ups by the side of the extremely busy motorway.
There is a harshness to life in general when you are fending for yourself, thats inevitable when the government provides so little. But that cannot be said for any of the people i have met here. There is a lingering curiosity as to what this Oyinbo is doing kicking around Lagos. But people are very warm and keen to share their wonderful city. To the extent where i very graciously declined palm wine from the side of the road the other day from a random stranger!
For now i’m safe, happy, healthy and doing good work with good people in a sunny place! What more could a girl want?!
Baci a tutti!
x x x
