Moving out of Nigeria permanently has been a life-long dream and as I get older, my reasons for wanting to leave have changed. As a kid, I wanted to leave because I saw in movies that it was way prettier abroad, life seemed more fun, and society was less constricting. My dreams were lofty and being from an average income household meant I'd need some outside assistance to ever step my feet out of this country.
I patiently waited for when I'd turn 18 to be eligible for the American visa lottery because I thought I had a lucky streak. Luck didn't shine on me because as at the time I turned 18, the visa lottery was no longer on. My next bet was to apply for undergraduate scholarships but I had no resources to. Most of my friends and high-schoolmates left for different countries fully funded by their parents and seeing all of them go made me happy but also really depressed.
I then looked forward to applying for post-graduate scholarships when I was done with school. Money has always been a constraint because unlike the old days, it takes a lot to leave Nigeria. We're talking money, exams, and getting visa approval.
Sadly, there are no signs of Nigeria getting better, and leaving has become a top priority not because of myself alone, but for the future of my offspring. Ordinarily, if I could live in a bubble and maintain the life I currently live, I'd say I love staying in Nigeria. But now and then I have to come out of this bubble and somehow somehow, the country go still touch you even inside your bubble.
I just want to be somewhere where the government sort of cares about me. Somewhere where the men of the law are not trying to come after my husband for looking good, somewhere I can just be and enjoy the benefits of a functioning system. It's my utmost desire to be fully integrated into a society that works or at least tries to work, and contribute my quota.
Here, we're stifled and cornered to not live our dreams and be the change we seek, try as we may. From my interaction with friends, I have an idea of how life is in other countries and I'm quite sure it will be easy for me to blend in.
The role of immigrants in developed societies should not be downplayed. I'm aware of a recent space on Nigerian Twitter, (#SecureTheTribe), about some African Americans talking about how Nigerians come over to their country to take their jobs. I mean, if you're qualified to do these jobs wouldn't you be a better preference than an immigrant? We just want a better life and to contribute to a society that values effort. That takes nothing away from you.
As for the issue of brain drain from Nigerians emigrating, the government is just being silly as usual. If they made it convenient to live and work here, our professionals wouldn't be fleeing. The truth is, there will never be a shortage of smart minds here actually and there are people who believe in Nigeria enough to remain here. They will be super pressed with work ofcourse, everyone here is already.
I don't think there's anything that'd make me drop my travel plans because I really don't see any prospects here for me and my childhood dreams are still valid. As soon as I can fund my movement, omo, I don japa! I remember someone here on hive being impressed by the fact that I'm a graduate of medical biochemistry, if only he knew that unlike in his country, there is nothing spectacular about my course of study in Nigeria.
I would love to further my education and apply myself in my chosen career, live a quiet and relatively safe life, and groom my kids in a conducive environment. That's not too much to want, is it?
This is my entry to the HiveNaija prompt of the week. I'd love to read your thoughts on becoming an immigrant.
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