Tacha Akide, a reality TV star and influential figure, has made waves online with her observation about the financial hardships faced by Nigerians residing in the UK.
Despite popular belief, many Nigerians living abroad do not have stable financial situations, according to a recent video by the ex-BBNaija housemate who is now based in the UK.
Tacha debunked a common misconception by saying that many Nigerians currently residing in the UK are struggling to make ends meet, and some are even less well off than their Nigerian counterparts, mainly because of the exorbitant cost of living there.
According to Tacha, many Nigerians are actually doing better than their foreign counterparts, particularly in light of the increasing cost of living in the United Kingdom.
Even though most people here are poor, you see that those of you who live in Nigeria always feel bad about yourself because you assume everyone here is wealthy.
Persons I've met in the UK actually have the lowest income levels of anyone I've met. Each person is keeping their own composure. Yes, it's pricey.
Believe me when I say this is not a perfect place to live.
Actually, the majority of Nigerians are doing better than the average Nigerian.
Therefore, proceed with caution; don't think, "Oh, it's all rosy."
If you don't want to take the train, you can easily spend 300,000 on a cab in a single day and 1,000,000 on a vehicle in a week. She advised serious consideration of the choice.
Many social media users have weighed in on the debate that her remarks have sparked, contrasting the expectations of people back home with the realities of living abroad.
Here are a few responses that GROWING2GETHER7 has collected:
"She is saying the truth 100%," @oluchiafundu pointed out.
"Everyone you see in the UK walking and doing content as a track nation first is a JJC, body still dey sweet them, secondly they have not found a real purpose," mentioned @okunenyeife.
"We never hear word since Tacha come UK," @iammaryam raz said.
They may be short on cash, but at least they have the necessities," tweeted @e.f.e.m.e.n.a_kylian. Look, we're still shouting "UP NEPA," so there's no need to compare.
@godwinrealest made the comment, "It's no surprise my uncle stayed for 25 years without experiencing anything noteworthy."
You're all obsessed with wealth to the exclusion of everything else, as @joyaustin4743 put it. With all that cash, how good is life for the people in Nigeria?
Thanks for reading: Negative Experiences Abroad: Tacha Shares Stories of Struggling Nigerians in the UK