guiddoti:
haha convert am to yuan if it will make sense. but wait oo na for airticket ni ?

jwillng:
Finally I experienced America for myself and even tasted Canada-double blessing! Ol boy...no let anyone lie to you....na this place be the place! Anyone wey tell you say make you NO come America, thunder go fire that person! Buhari! Buhari! Buhari! How many times did I call your name? You sef don go America o and you see how e bi! We need Change!

America is not just good, IT IS EXCELLENT. I now understand that all those that used to tell me not to waste my time coming to America fall into either of two categories:

a) Those who had already been to America and could not go back again either because they were deported or for some other reason.

b) Those already in America or having access to America but for some funny reason kept saying all the 'bad' reasons why America was a no go. Yet they have either been in America with no plans to come back or constantly go there.

Anyway, I finally got here.

I was a on a thread on this same Nairaland about 2 years ago and read about how Nigerians could make it in America. Cant remember the thread now, but I contacted the OP and got some info from him. Fast forward to 2016 and Im in Yankee.

Not like life in Naija was that bad, but connecting to America has made all the difference and making dollars these days is sweet!

These are some pics of my road trip through Middle America on my way to Canada.

The USA was everything I expected, but Canada was completely different. That place is so big and deserted. There are places where just 5 people live in an area the size of Lagos State and places as big as Nigeria where there is not a single soul. It seems like 90% of the people in Canada live in just 3 or 4 of the cities.

This is already my second trip as I have been opening a nice business venture with some contacts in Yankee.

Some Facts About America I Saw.

1) Forgot about much of what you have heard-everyone is equal in America. Before I travelled, I remember one American returnee telling us that there are some places in Washington where black people cannot go –that any black man who goes there will be killed and police will not come. He was telling us with so much authority –no one could query him. Its lie. The only place you cannot go is people’s private property. People may not like you or greet you-but no one can stop you. Even Obama cannot slap his gateman. Here in Nigeria-the President can kill his gateway-no questions asked.
2) Roads spoil here too-but unlike in Naija, repairs are done EVERY year. In fact this is the road repairing season in the area where I am now. Every year between Spring and September-billions of dollars are awared to companies to repair roads. EVERY YEAR O! Whether it is Democratic that wins elections or Republican.
3) I travelled alone on the the expressway to Canada for almost 9 hours and on various roads through mid America-no police checkpoint, no armed robbers or highway robbers.
4) Armed Invasion as they call it here or armed robbers entering the house is rare here. In fact one of the people I visited who has lived here for 10 years-said in the entire State-he only remembers 4 or 5 cases of home invasion in the last 7 years. Yes there are killers and rapists and bank robbers –but peoples homes are their kingdoms and is respected. And not only can one not tell who has guns at home-the Police are always just 2 to 5 minutes away.
5) If you are a black man and respect yourself-no one will trouble you. I did not encounter one act of racism or anyone looking down on me. I dressed properly, obeyed their laws and paid my money. Yes there is racism- just like there is tribalism in Nigeria. Police even stopped me and said good evening sir-do you know why I stopped you? Very polite and I respected him too. .
6) Very few Americans desire to be rich or Millionaires-as long as they have a job, a place to live –they are happy working Monday to Friday and partying during the weekend or going to the stadium or cinema.
7) People don’t seem to go to Church –a lot here. There are many churches-but seems on the Sundays I have been here-so many people are at home or watching a game.
People work hard here o. If your job is 8 hours, you must work that 8 hours. No body is paid to do nothing. Even if you are gateman and no car is coming to the compound that day-you cannot sleep or play around-you must be on watch.
9) Car is nothing here. Yes –there are expensive cars and cheap cars-but having a car is not a sign of “ you have made it” . You cannot oppress any girl by stopping on the road and offering her a ride. While even cleaners can drive nice cars here, some millionaires in cities like New York don’t have cars-they use the train system.
10) You cannot use money to oppress people here. Come and see millionires and politicians and famous people walking on the road in New York. Having a car or house/nice flat is not a luxury-it’s a neccesity.
11) Nigerians in America work harder than Americans here. Come and see people with 3 jobs.
12) Nigerians have more education overall then Americans. Come and see old mama and papa going back to University in America even after working 10 to 20 years or more in Nigeria.
13) Hotel prices change here from day to day and they are cheaper than in Nigeria. The same hotel I would pay 40k for in Nigeria is like 15k here before the naira fell. The price can be $60 today and $90 another day and $70 another day. The key is to book at the right time.
14) There are many lazy people here who refuse to work. Government gives them money every week and subsidized flats. And instead of planning there lives, they play and drink and waste their money.
15) People save here like crazy. Even ordinary factory workers with just secondary school education can save up to the equivalent of N100 million in the course of 30 to 45 years. The saving is meticolous through what they call 401k (a pension system). So while they are not rich-they have enough saved for retirement.
16) There are speed limits on all roads and highway. If you go more than 9mph above it -you will be given a fine or may even be arrested. Most expressways are 60mph to 70mph. Police are usually hiding in one corner waiting to catch people who travel too fast. I was caught o. Thank God -I had cash with me-because if you dont live in that State-they will arrest you if you cant pay on the spot. If you live in that state -they will give you a ticket and you can pay later. I had to pay about $120!
17) Obasanjo, GEJ, Buhari have all been to America many times-why can they not copy what is done in America.


-Sorry-I dont have my best pics here.

These few are of my road trip across mid America to Canada. I passed by Wisconsin Dells-the largest water park in America.
I also stopped at a Rest Area! You cant imagine. Government built hundreds of Rest Areas all across the expressways of America where people can park-rest, eat and sleep. No armed robber-the toilet is cleaner than Aso Rock-very spacious. In fact if Buhari cannot do it in Nigeria-I need to build such and charge people.

I stayed in an average hotel on one of my trips. that in my opinion is as good as Sheraton in Ikeja-yet in Sheraton they will charge like 90k and this room was barely 20k.

I took my time and read all you wrote up there so i can spot one lie , unfortunately for me, all your assertions and observations are valid, factual and absolutely correct.

jwillng:


No-. At least not for Nigerians. You need a visa to Canada. But if you are a green card holder-you dont need Visa.

jacko007:

my brother, you no go need laugh me o...that amount excludes transport fare..

jwillng:


Thanks sir.

We must make Naija better. I am here to make money and secure Naija. Naija for Life!

Not as a student-I took the advice of a Nairalander and used his tips-so sort of a Seminar/Training in Yankee and wedding in Canada.

SmartMugu:

1. By the time you start working, making money and find out much of it is going back into the system, then you'll understand why people said those negative things about this beautiful place.

At least you EARN for you to pay 'tax on income' and VAT on consumption. Besides, you see & enjoy Wat your tax does.
In your dear country, students pay 'stamp duty' of #50 on every 1k deposit.

1a When you eventually start seeing that the cost of your accommodation for 2 months is more than some people need to pay for a similar place for a year in Nigeria.

Your high accommodation pay come from a relatively higher income shey? Also, it's all-inclusive; you don't have to dig your borehole, buy different generators and fuel on daily basis (inhale smoke on per seconds bill), you don't pay security to secure your assets and life etc.


Factoring in other bills like car note, auto insurance, gas, taxes, 401k etc. Those add up pretty quickly and dictate how much you're left with after those deductions.
You have the options of moving by timely working public transport (trains) or you acquire car that need auto insurance and cost of gas. Your choice!

1b. When you start racking up credit cards, then you'll realize you're actually gradually getting enslaved and can remain in the US working and working to be free again.

CC, bro your choice!!

1c. If God blesses you with a set of twins to start with, as long as you can budget at least $1000 a month for someone to watch them while u go to work, ure fine. In Nigeria, most people would rather hire a maid and pay them about $50 a month for that.

Yes you are right, $50 to a maid (even $40) but it comes out of your inconsistent meagre salary of $80 (18k minimum wage)

So, it's easier to save in Nigeria than in the US and Canada that you mentioned.

No it's not! A drop out of a quarter empty cup is lesser in total compared to an half share out of a full cup of same size. Get it?

Have you ever wondered why the US passport can get US citizens almost anywhere in the world, yet Americans hardly travel like Nigerians do? My opinion is that many people living in the US are at what they'd call "comfort zone". Many US nationals haven't seen anywhere else but the US and can only assume that's how the rest of the world is.

Comfort zone is D answer. Same way you won't pack to a remote village from Lagos at your productive age

Many others that would love to travel are buried in debt and bills

Debt, Their choice. Bills are being paid world-wide.


I would think a person making $100,000 per annum in the US would prefer a job that pays $50,000 in Nigeria

15M/annum? How many workers get that legit in naija? You don waka tey for Naija I bet.
FYI bro, Only big boys get 10% of wat you sated; $5000/annum (1.5m) in Nigeria. If you are lucky to b d 1big boy who earns $5k a year, your house will a pilgrimage sort of by family & friends.

Depending on that person's lifestyle, even though they make over $100,000 (about N33m in Nigeria today), they may end up still living from paycheck to paycheck.
Lifestyle, The more reason my naija guyz make it big in foreign economy.

nairacountry:
SmartMugu, permit me to take you on some of your assertions

Thompsonneyo:

leave that smart Mugu,i jez dnt understand u guyz,but if dem dey share dia visa, na u go first hussle collect, nd if it happens ur already there, then WTF ar u still der for??listen the system works, so many lives have changed, so many positive stories, even today if you got d right papers, ur better off there, so many opportunities.... imagine ppl still doubling dia hussle to leave a meagre life in Nigeria,.. life's too short u knw...

SmartMugu:

Did I try to discourage anyone from coming to the US? I just gave an idea of what to expect. It's a beautiful place and I'm glad I'm a citizen here as well as I'm a Nigerian.

collins011:



Bros Jwillng. Is it true that with your visitors visa you can travel from Yankee to Canada? And which city is closer to travel From Yankee?

Timflex:
Bros jwilling abeg bless me too o. Your story dey so inspirational.
I sent you a,mail already. But in case you no get am,
Abeg holla me ma wan go Yankee. Frustration wan mud man for this country.

Plotzrealtor:
Well, looking at d Op's encouraging success story and Smartmugu's assertion, someone would tends to agree that it still pays to go hustle in those foreign lands compare to rubish dis political class take us for in this country. We could imagine the end result of level of hustle in dis country to dos Amelika and others. Congratulation @Op, I'm inspired Mehnn. Canada here I come.

loluola:
Please how is Registered Nurse doing in us I meant their salary per hour and how do i do it if Nigeria Registered Nurse want to work legally over there. Thanks

jacko007:
its a great testimony your sharing with us...we are learning from you too, thanks to Nairaland.

My questions is, would 700k excluding itinary be enough for my 2 weeks trip? I don't have a past travel experience .
thank you once again.

dustydee:

Hi,
how do you intend to get your green card? or are you going to be shuttling between Nigeria and the US every 6 months? won't that raise suspicion of the border agents? Thanks.

Folafikemi:
@Jwilin,
I read all u wrote dere and other positive comments from fellow nairalanders and am kinda persuaded to further with my abandoned interest in travelling to the US to work and live.

And pls i want to know what good deal is presently on ground now cos i need to leave nija as quick as i can.
How much do i need to make a family of 3go n what else will i need to make it work. Please reply asap

byrron:



I took my time and read all you wrote up there so i can spot one lie , unfortunately for me, all your assertions and observations are valid, factual and absolutely correct.

chiboy429:

bros you have deeply reignited my morale . this has been my childhood dream but so many factors are still hindering me, the worst is the recent economic situation of the country. i pray and working towards this dream.
please i will like to get the report too. god bless you

Thompsonneyo:

leave that smart Mugu,i jez dnt understand u guyz,but if dem dey share dia visa, na u go first hussle collect, nd if it happens ur already there, then WTF ar u still der for??listen the system works, so many lives have changed, so many positive stories, even today if you got d right papers, ur better off there, so many opportunities.... imagine ppl still doubling dia hussle to leave a meagre life in Nigeria,.. life's too short u knw...

guiddoti:
welcome amelika! Bro make yu know burst d lakacera oo. pple dey high d package oooo. moreso plenty ascari dey read yur telewire

hartson:
Congrat bro,It is indeed a dream come true.you will soon be overwhelmed by the amount of enquiries you will be answering each hour.I have seen it coming.stay strong

Thompsonneyo:
omo no mata wat dey say, me sef go soon enta... f**K dat shit!!! for me Yankee Still d best place anytime.. op jez post d report hia, make ppl wey nid am learn..

Malayy:
why midwest bro? the most underdeveloped region in US

jwillng:


My base is South Dakato-but Im hustling across the mid west.

coolbreeze44:
I will be in Lemon, South Dakota by next month for an art exhibition. I would like to see you o? Besides you are invited to my art exhibition.