Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Babatunde Yusuf knows what it feels like to have a dream crushed. He also knows what it feels like to rebuild from the ashes. As a young man, shortly after completing his university education in Nigeria, he was deported from Japan. An agent had secured a visitor visa for him, but Japanese immigration officials stopped him at the airport, questioned the purpose of his visit, and ordered him back to Nigeria. His family had contributed money towards the trip. The humiliation and the loss were devastating. He slipped into depression, struggled with sleeplessness, and experienced what he now describes as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night. I just wouldn't be able to sleep," he recalls.
But that was not the end of his story. Yusuf rebuilt his life. He pursued professional certifications in technology, obtained a Cisco networking certification, and secured employment with Etislam Nigeria, where he gained opportunities to travel to China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. In 2015, he relocated to Canada as a student. Today, he is a technology and cybersecurity professional and entrepreneur, with businesses spanning automotive trade and logistics between Canada and Nigeria. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Mapleby Autos Canada Inc., a registered company that has shipped over 500 cars to Nigeria since 2017.
His journey, however, has taught him a sobering lesson that he now wants to pass on to millions of Nigerians dreaming of a better life abroad. In a candid appearance on TVC News' Diaspora Connect, Yusuf warned that the "grass is not as green as it used to be. The grass is only green where it is being watered." His message is simple and urgent: do not assume that life abroad is automatically better. Do not rush to leave Nigeria simply because you believe opportunities elsewhere are superior.
Yusuf's warning comes at a time when the "Japa" phenomenon—the mass migration of young Nigerians to Europe, North America, and other parts of the world—has reached unprecedented levels. Thousands leave every month, driven by economic hardship, insecurity, and a desperate desire for a better future. But for many, the reality they encounter abroad is far removed from the dream they sold their possessions to pursue. Yusuf knows this personally. Despite having worked in IT in Nigeria, his first job in Canada was in a bakery. "Canada is going to bring you down to your lowest before it brings you back again," he says. It is a sobering statement from a man who has lived it.
The warning is not an isolated one. Yusuf's advice echoes that of media mogul Dele Momodu, who has repeatedly told Nigerians that there is "no mercy abroad" and that those with stable jobs and promising careers at home should reconsider their relocation plans. It also aligns with the experiences of countless Nigerians who have found themselves underemployed, struggling to make ends meet, and trapped in a cycle of survival in foreign countries. Yusuf's bakery job, despite his qualifications, is a powerful illustration of the reality that immigrants often have to start from the bottom, regardless of their professional backgrounds.
Yusuf's message is not just about the economic challenges. It is also about the psychological and emotional toll of migration. He has experienced the trauma of deportation, the stress of starting over, and the loneliness of being far from home. He knows that the journey abroad is not for the faint-hearted. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to retrain and rebuild. It requires the humility to accept a job that is far below your qualifications and the determination to work your way back up. "Nigerians moving abroad should be prepared to retrain, study and build new professional networks," he advises.
Perhaps the most important part of his warning is directed at those who rely on agents to facilitate their migration. Yusuf knows firsthand how misleading and exploitative these agents can be. He warns Nigerians against relying on agents who provide false information about immigration opportunities. He urges them to prioritise proper documentation and legitimate immigration routes rather than travelling under false pretences. His own experience with the agent who arranged his ill-fated Japan trip is a cautionary tale that he wants others to learn from. The cost of trusting the wrong people can be devastating, both financially and emotionally.
Yusuf's message is not that Nigerians should never travel abroad. It is not an argument against ambition or the pursuit of a better life. It is a plea for realism. It is a call for Nigerians to assess their prospects at home before deciding to leave. If you have a good job, a promising career, and a stable life in Nigeria, think carefully before you abandon it. The grass abroad is not always greener. Sometimes, it is just a patch of dirt that has been watered by the tears of those who came before you.
The Japa dream is not a guaranteed path to prosperity. It is a high-stakes gamble that can leave you stranded, broke, and broken. Yusuf's story is proof that success abroad is possible, but it is also proof that the road is paved with setbacks, sacrifices, and moments of despair. For every immigrant who makes it, there are countless others who return home with nothing to show for their years abroad. Yusuf's advice is not to abandon the dream, but to approach it with open eyes, a clear plan, and a realistic understanding of what awaits you. The grass is green where it is watered. And sometimes, the most fertile ground for your future is the one you are standing on right now.
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