A bird that flies high in foreign lands should not crawl when it returns home. But for many Nigerians, this is the painful reality. The same Nigerians who break academic records in America, run successful businesses in Europe, and lead innovations in Asia often struggle to survive in their own country. It is as if the moment they set foot on Nigerian soil, something drags them down. Why do Nigerians succeed abroad but struggle at home? What is it about foreign countries that help them shine, and what is it about Nigeria that holds them back?
Statistics do not lie. Nigerians in America are among the most educated immigrant groups. According to U.S. Census data, 61% of Nigerians in the U.S. aged 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to just 33% of the general American population. They are doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors, and top professionals. Nigerian names are found in Ivy League universities, multinational companies, and global leadership positions. Yet, in Nigeria, the same people struggle to find jobs, battle with an education system that is failing, and face a government that does not prioritize talent. It is a painful contradiction—one that raises serious questions.
If a plant grows well in one soil but dies in another, is the problem with the plant or the soil? Nigerians do not suddenly become smarter when they travel abroad. The same intelligence, the same drive, and the same determination exist in those at home. The difference is the environment. A good seed planted in bad soil will struggle to grow. That is the reality of Nigeria—a country where potential is everywhere, but opportunities are few.
Education is the ladder that helps people climb to success, and Nigerians know this. Parents push their children to study hard, burn the midnight oil, and aim for excellence. But education is not just about hard work; it needs structure, funding, and a system that rewards learning. In America, education is an open door—students have access to scholarships, good teachers, modern libraries, and a stable academic calendar. In Nigeria, the story is different. Schools lack basic facilities, teachers are poorly paid, and universities go on strike for months. A student who should graduate in four years may end up spending six or seven years due to ASUU strikes. The struggle is real. Intelligence is not the issue—the system is. Imagine a system closing down school because of fasting and prayers.
In America, talent is rewarded. If you are good at what you do, doors open. If you work hard, there is a good chance you will succeed. But in Nigeria, merit often takes the back seat. Connections matter more than competence. Who you know can determine whether you get a job or remain jobless. Hard work does not always lead to success; sometimes, it is loyalty to a politician or a “big man” that makes the difference. How can a country progress when mediocrity is rewarded and excellence is ignored?
Corruption is another problem. It eats deep into every sector—education, business, healthcare, governance. In Nigeria, a young person with great ideas may struggle to succeed because of endless bottlenecks, bribery demands, and lack of government support. Meanwhile, in foreign countries, the same person might receive grants, mentorship, and an environment that allows them to thrive. It is not that Nigerians are not hardworking at home—it is that the system often works against them instead of for them.
Despite all these, hope is not lost. Nigerians are resilient people. They find ways to survive and succeed against all odds. Many still excel within the country, breaking barriers and making an impact. But imagine what could happen if Nigeria became a land of real opportunity—a place where talent is nurtured, education is properly funded, and hard work is truly rewarded. Imagine a Nigeria where people do not have to leave to succeed.
The Igbo say, ihe ọma nke na-amalite n’ụlọ na n’èzí ekwesịghị ịdaba ịga nke ọma—a good thing that begins at home should not fail when it goes outside. But in Nigeria’s case, it is the opposite—our best minds succeed outside but struggle at home. If this continues, we will keep losing our brightest talents to other countries. A nation that cannot keep its best minds is a nation in trouble.
Until Nigeria fixes its broken systems, the painful reality will remain: Nigerians will continue to shine abroad while struggling in their own land. The eagle will keep soaring in foreign skies but stumbling on its own hills.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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