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Scenes in Nigeria during festive holiday periods paint a vivid picture: joyful airport reunions, vibrant nightlife filled with flowing champagne, and electrifying Afrobeats performances drawing in large crowds. The return of the Nigerians living abroad—often referred to as "I Just Got Back" (IJGB)—is a time of celebration. However, their visits also intensify the growing disparities within Nigerian society.
With the strength of their foreign currencies against the naira, these returnees can afford more luxurious experiences, casting a spotlight on the economic burdens faced by those still living in Nigeria. As prices soar during significant seasons like "Detty December," locals often feel squeezed, as essentials become less accessible—notably in bustling cities like Lagos and Abuja.
A Lagos-based radio presenter expressed concerns about this phenomenon, noting that the influx keeps regular residents sidelined from the celebrations and experiences in their own cities. Locals experience unbearable traffic and rising costs as businesses shift focus to cater to wealthier visitors.
Despite Nigeria’s wealth from oil and being one of Africa's largest economies, the country struggles with stark poverty levels and an increasing wealth gap, as highlighted by statistics from Oxfam and the World Bank. More than 87 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with a significant portion of the economy controlled by a tiny elite.
Professor Martins Ifeanacho from the University of Port Harcourt links this class divide to the political elite’s greed, which perpetuates hardship for the ordinary citizen. He argues that the economic and social structures in place leave the majority of Nigerians without access to opportunities.
Wealth perception goes beyond mere figures in bank accounts; it influences status and access. The IJGBs inadvertently reinforce this class divide through their presence, as they embody aspirations and achievements that many locals find unattainable. Going out to dine becomes a display of status; those arriving in luxury vehicles receive priority over those in more modest cars.
As opportunities for upward social mobility decrease within Nigeria, the exodus of middle-class citizens seeking a better life abroad has heightened. Dubbed “japa,” this migration trend reflects a broader desire among young Nigerians, particularly Gen Z, to escape economic struggles. A 2022 survey revealed that 70% of young Nigerians would relocate if given the chance. However, the financial burden of studying abroad acts as a significant barrier for many.
Amidst this chase for success, returnees often feel the weight of expectations. Lulu Okwara, a young recruitment officer who returned to Nigeria after studying in the UK, described how the culture places immense pressure to succeed, fostering a "success or nothing" mentality. For many, homecomings are crafted around proving their accomplishments and status.
IJGBs often chase the ‘hero’ welcome when they return, embracing their new experiences and accents as social currency. These presentations, however, can sometimes reveal a fragile reality where the facade might not always match financial standings.
Bizzle Osikoya, owner of The Plug Entertainment, shared instances where IJGBs, despite outward displays of wealth, sought refunds for event attendance following their return to the US or Canada, highlighting an inconsistency between appearance and reality in a scrutinizing society.
As more Nigerians strive for success through various avenues, the desire to present as accomplished intensifies, both for those returning from abroad and locals striving to ascent the social ladder in an increasingly class-conscious environment.
Scenes in Nigeria during festive holiday periods paint a vivid picture: joyful airport reunions, vibrant nightlife filled with flowing champagne, and electrifying Afrobeats performances drawing in large crowds. The return of the Nigerians living abroad—often referred to as "I Just Got Back" (IJGB)—is a time of celebration. However, their visits also intensify the growing disparities within Nigerian society.
With the strength of their foreign currencies against the naira, these returnees can afford more luxurious experiences, casting a spotlight on the economic burdens faced by those still living in Nigeria. As prices soar during significant seasons like "Detty December," locals often feel squeezed, as essentials become less accessible—notably in bustling cities like Lagos and Abuja.
A Lagos-based radio presenter expressed concerns about this phenomenon, noting that the influx keeps regular residents sidelined from the celebrations and experiences in their own cities. Locals experience unbearable traffic and rising costs as businesses shift focus to cater to wealthier visitors.
Despite Nigeria’s wealth from oil and being one of Africa's largest economies, the country struggles with stark poverty levels and an increasing wealth gap, as highlighted by statistics from Oxfam and the World Bank. More than 87 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, with a significant portion of the economy controlled by a tiny elite.
Professor Martins Ifeanacho from the University of Port Harcourt links this class divide to the political elite’s greed, which perpetuates hardship for the ordinary citizen. He argues that the economic and social structures in place leave the majority of Nigerians without access to opportunities.
Wealth perception goes beyond mere figures in bank accounts; it influences status and access. The IJGBs inadvertently reinforce this class divide through their presence, as they embody aspirations and achievements that many locals find unattainable. Going out to dine becomes a display of status; those arriving in luxury vehicles receive priority over those in more modest cars.
As opportunities for upward social mobility decrease within Nigeria, the exodus of middle-class citizens seeking a better life abroad has heightened. Dubbed “japa,” this migration trend reflects a broader desire among young Nigerians, particularly Gen Z, to escape economic struggles. A 2022 survey revealed that 70% of young Nigerians would relocate if given the chance. However, the financial burden of studying abroad acts as a significant barrier for many.
Amidst this chase for success, returnees often feel the weight of expectations. Lulu Okwara, a young recruitment officer who returned to Nigeria after studying in the UK, described how the culture places immense pressure to succeed, fostering a "success or nothing" mentality. For many, homecomings are crafted around proving their accomplishments and status.
IJGBs often chase the ‘hero’ welcome when they return, embracing their new experiences and accents as social currency. These presentations, however, can sometimes reveal a fragile reality where the facade might not always match financial standings.
Bizzle Osikoya, owner of The Plug Entertainment, shared instances where IJGBs, despite outward displays of wealth, sought refunds for event attendance following their return to the US or Canada, highlighting an inconsistency between appearance and reality in a scrutinizing society.
As more Nigerians strive for success through various avenues, the desire to present as accomplished intensifies, both for those returning from abroad and locals striving to ascent the social ladder in an increasingly class-conscious environment.
