Visiting Nigeria After Four Years: A Journey Back Home

Earlier in 2024, I was going through a rough patch. In a heartfelt conversation with my friend Adeola, she said, "Hope, visit Nigeria, and you'll come back feeling so much better." At the time, I wasn’t entirely convinced. But now, I can confidently say she was absolutely right. Visiting Nigeria, even for a short time, turned out to be one of the best decisions I made in 2024. I'm incredibly grateful to God for making it happen.

Nigeria is just different. The vibe, the energy—it's incomparable to anywhere else. No matter where life takes me, I’ll always be proud to be Nigerian. We’re a nation that is undeniably helped by God. No matter how many challenges come our way, He always makes a way for us to survive, to thrive, and to keep moving forward.

This trip was a timely reminder of what it means to be Nigerian. It reminded me of the unique grit we possess, our resilience, and our deep-rooted ability to find joy even in the face of adversity. It was a reminder of where I come from, of home.

Home. A place where, despite the obstacles and hardships, happiness finds a way. Love finds a way. Though my visit was brief, it was deeply meaningful. I’ll never forget the love I felt, the joy of traveling several kilometers just to spend an hour with someone, and the thrill of simply being present.

Of course, I won’t forget the owambes—the Nigerian weddings that were the very motivation for me to consider visiting in the first place. If you haven’t been to a proper Nigerian wedding, do yourself a favor and attend one! Honestly, it’s just different—it makes you want to get married the next day 😁. Huge thanks to my friends Joda and Ayomikun for giving us the gift of celebrating their love and taking us back to Nigeria for their weddings.

I definitely complained—a lot! The rising cost of living left me both shocked and deeply concerned. I couldn’t help but wonder how people were surviving. Yet, as I walked the streets and roads of Lagos, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of hope. Hope that one day, Nigerians will fully experience the joy, comfort, and prosperity we deserve. Hope that the toil and labor of so many hardworking people will not be in vain.

I grumbled about the heat (it was intense!) and the stress of dealing with banks, but I know I’ll start missing even those little frustrations soon enough. You know you’ve truly enjoyed a place when, while you're there, nothing else seems to matter.

Honestly, I cherished every single moment in Nigeria. From the quality time spent with my family to random conversations with strangers on the road, every experience was filled with life and meaning. My heart was full, and my mind was completely immersed in the beauty of being home.

I am deeply grateful to the incredible people who made my trip special. To those who traveled long distances just to see me, to those who opened their homes at the last minute, to those who took time out of their busy schedules to spend time with me—and even to those I wasn’t able to see but made an effort—I appreciate you all more than words can express. Thank you for making me feel so loved and welcome.

Until we meet again, Nigeria. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.