Veteran highlife musician Bright Chimezie has expressed concerns about the growing trend of Nigerians relocating abroad in search of better opportunities.
Chimezie, who spoke during an appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast, said this trend is misguided, saying that the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.
In his view, many Nigerians who migrate overseas often face unexpected struggles, despite their high hopes for a better life.
Chimezie emphasised that those who relocate abroad often start from the bottom, taking on low-paying jobs just to survive.
He cited his own experiences of traveling extensively and noted that opportunities abroad are not as abundant as many people might think.
He encouraged Nigerians to explore and invest in local opportunities, which he stated are valuable and worth developing.
“Our problem is right here. We keep helping people over there because we think the grass is greener on the other side. But it’s not. I’ve travelled quite a bit, and I can tell you there are no more opportunities there. When you get there, you start from the bottom, sometimes even washing toilets just to survive,” he said.
The musician also attributed Nigeria’s current mindset to the legacy of colonialism, which he said has led many citizens to undervalue their nation and themselves.
Chimezie lamented that if Nigerians applied the same dedication they have for their faith to areas like science and technology, the country would be far better off.
“When the white people came, it affected our mentality and development. If we studied biology and mathematics with the same passion we use to read the Bible, our society would be far better,” he lamented.
