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You have been given a huge sum of money with two options: stay in your country or relocate permanently to a different country.
What would be your choice and why

I’d stay right here in Nigeria.

Some people hear “huge sum of money” and the first thing they think is relocation. They picture a house abroad, snow in the winter, calm streets, smooth internet, and a life free from the noise and struggles we know here in Nigeria. Honestly, I can’t blame them but for me, it’s different. I’m not running away from home because I’ve never seen comfort; I’m staying because I want to enjoy comfort here.

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Nigeria has its problems,plenty of them. We talk about the bad roads, electricity issues, insecurity, corruption, and it’s true, they’re real but this is also where my family is, where my culture is alive, where my memories were made. I don’t want to throw all of that away just for the sake of cleaner streets somewhere else. The truth is, no place is perfect, the problems abroad are just different especially when dealing with natural disasters, and again starting over in a completely new environment doesn’t guarantee happiness.

With that kind of money, I would make my life here in Nigeria as comfortable as possible. First thing, I’d buy my dream home,not a mansion just for show, but a place that feels like mine the moment you step in. It'll have spacious rooms, a beautiful garden,my home will be full of ornaments, maybe a swimming pool, and a nice space for hosting friends and family. I’d set it up so that no matter how chaotic the world outside gets, my home feels like peace. It would be the kind of place I can wake up in, sip tea in the backyard, hear birds in the morning, and just be content.

I’d also invest in my personal security and convenience and make sure there's reliable power in my home like solar since i can't trust Nigeria electricity,this just reminded me that as we speak power has been down for six days where i live, it's sad but that's not the point, I'll also work on getting good internet, a driver for the days I don’t feel like touching traffic myself, i don't think i can hire a chef,i enjoy cooking do I'll do it all myself. I’m talking about comfort that makes you look forward to coming home every day.

Traveling is another thing I’d prioritize. Staying in Nigeria doesn’t mean I won’t see the world ooh. I’d still travel whenever I want, Europe in the summer, Japan for one of those anime red carpets, Dubai for a quick getaway, maybe spend a week in the Maldives just to relax by the beach but after every trip, I’d come back home. There’s a feeling you get when you land back in your own country and hear your language, smell the street food, and know you’re among your own people.

I’d also spend time enjoying Nigeria itself, we have beautiful places that many of us never explore. I’d visit Yankari Game Reserve, Obudu Mountain Resort, Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, and even small hidden beaches in Lagos. I’d take road trips across states, taste different local dishes I've been wishing to taste, and meet people from different tribes. That’s the kind of life I want,a life rich in experiences, not just rich in currency.

Most importantly, staying means keeping my identity. I won’t have to force myself to adapt to a culture that’s not mine, or worry about losing the little things that make me Nigerian. The jokes that only we understand, the loud market women, the taste of suya at night, the neighborhood kids shouting “aunty!” when they see you, it’s these small, ordinary things that make life feel familiar and warm.

I know life here isn’t perfect, and the money won’t magically erase the country’s issues. But it will give me the ability to live comfortably without having to abandon my roots. I’ll have the best of both worlds, I'll experience comfort, security, and freedom without losing touch with home.

I’m not against people who relocate. Everyone’s path is different but for me, the escapism mindset doesn’t sit well. I’d rather face the fire and learn to put it out with others who care. With resources in hand, I’d choose the harder road that leads to a home worth staying in.

So yes, I’d remain in Nigeria not because it’s easier, but because this is where my story began, and this is where I want to keep writing it. The money would make my life better, but my choice to stay would make it meaningful.

Posted Using INLEO