Comments on: Returning to Nigeria: Q&A with Tolu Itegboje

By: Ola

Ola — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:44:26 +0000

Oh, Julia, i just discovered, there is a link to the lady’s blogs on this page. look on the right hand side for the link “back to naija” under “blogroll”

By: Ola

Ola — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Julia, I came across this lady’s blog last nite, you may want to read: http://backtonaija.blogspot.com/search/label/relocation she has lots of blogs on moving back to nigeria, that is more from the female perspective and informative.

By: Amaka

Amaka — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:51:13 +0000

Truly inspiring…(especially the meeting a girl part ha! ha! – just joking)
It is true that most of our contemporaries who left Naija for one reason or the other are apprehensive of returning. But honestly, if you don’t return, how will you be able to change the reality you are so scared of returning to?
Naija dey for our hand o!
Nice interview Kingsley…

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:28:20 +0000

I just want to say…Yay Tolu!! I’m glad your move back home proved to be a blessing in more than one way.

I might write more profound comments in a later post.

By: Ryan Sprague

Ryan Sprague — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:18:12 +0000

I can’t relate very well because I was born and raised in America, except that even in America there are those who live in circumstances that make life very challenging for them. Finding opportunities may seem easy to those of us who have gone to college, traveled, and made friendships with people from all over the world, but for someone whose world is very small it is not this way. Ignorance is probably one of the biggest factors when we set out to accomplish our dreams. That being the case information services that would aid people like Tolu might be ideal. In America there a quite of number of official and unofficial ways to network, but I am not sure what it is like in Nigeria. I would interested to learn more and discuss what could be done. =) Peace.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:31:41 +0000

Um, I don’t necessarily know that I want to return to Nigeria yet. For me, there are a few more limiting factors than just my personal fears. We kinda start to venture into the realm of bringing an American white spouse into the mix… I think it’d be nightmarish. So maybe someone else could tell me what it’s like to be an alternative culture female returnee in Nigerian society

By: toyin

toyin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:01:44 +0000

Lovely interview and like has been said, his passion comes through! There is so much to do here in Nigeria! Wishing him a lovely and hopefully permanent stay here!

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By: Lebo

Lebo — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:00:36 +0000

I absolutely love this interview. His passion just comes through the way he speaks about what he does and his dreams. I also like the way his story is so real, that it was and is hard to go back and literally start from zero. I’m curious though, we complain about how there aren’t many opportunities in our African countries, but what are the chances of us succeeding, in our areas of choices and living our dream out there as opposed to home? And wouldn it be nicer to start something new at home like this guy would like to…? I guess the question is what price are we willing to pay, but what is obvious is that it’s hard work and some form of sacrifice is necessary, no matter where you are.

By: sdotgang

sdotgang — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:19:21 +0000

For me the most important thing is to network; getting to meet people and reconnecting with family and friends. Even though I am really good in keeping in touch with my direct family and friends in Nigeria, I fail woefully in keeping in contact with my extended family. I never really call my other relatives unless they surprise me with a one-minute call here n there. When I return to Nigeria, I will work on building back my lost ties with the people that matter. I have been away for so many years; I have to realize that people have become accustomed to me not being around. While I share my experience of when I was away, I will also market the heck out of myself so that people see and feel that I know what I want.
If you’re like me then you really don’t know who your hookup person is. Like in Itegboje’s case, it was his friend’s dad and perhaps it happened during a casual visit to see his family friend. Even if you have all the right connections, you have to still put your self out there, not leaving everything in the hands of your parents to do everything for you. You are grown now and let’s face it; this can be an opportunity to show that you are independent and a go-getter in life.
In Nigeria, It is also possible to fall into the typical scenario of working for a banking sector when you know you should be out there doing something else. I have nothing against working in the bank. However, the unemployment rate in Nigeria is so discouraging and the banks are the only ones hiring these days. Our Nigerian bankers are from all sorts of professions; Engineering, English, Law, Architecture, Theater Arts, Mass Comm. My only concern is that I have a foreign degree and I should be able to use my hard earned education to my professional advantage. In addition, my experience living overseas has caused me to view things from a different perspective, which can be useful for any company thinking globally.
These are some of my concerns when I think about moving back to Nigeria, and I just thought I should add to what the author was saying.