Nigerian Man Shares How His Friend Who Relocated To Nigeria From The UK Is Filled With Regrets After Surviving On A 310K Salary As A Senior Lecturer

Yesterday I was on a brief call with my good friend (I have his blessings to share). He completed his PhD same time as myself, though his was in the UK. Despite my best pleas to him to stay back in the UK as immigration laws were favourable per pandemic and all, he choose to go back to Nigeria not alone but with his family. I also suggested Canada as an alternative but he was defiant. He wanted to go back.

His reason was a good one. He aspired to be a Professor as in his words, it is way easier to rise to the rank of Professor than abroad. This to an extent is true but again, it depends on the university in question and their promotion structure.

With his abroad PhD, he was placed on Lecturer 1 and his salary was less than 210,000 naira after tax. Last year after more than 4 years plus, he finally made it to Senior Lecturer. His salary only increased by less than 100,000 naira after tax and statutory deductions.

He chanced on my post last month and that made him rethink a lot of things. In his words, “the cost of living in Nigeria appears to outweigh the incentive for living”. His wife has not forgiven since for bringing them back. He is not a Professor and painfully, the little money they returned to Nigeria with has quickly evaporated making Japa a sheer impossibility based on household income.

Life many atimes will give you one chance and if you are lucky, multiple chances. There are certain life decisions that need to be taken in measured steps. Sometimes, in following your personal dreams, give your family the chance to stay back as an insurance policy. Often times, before you dip your two legs into Japada waters be sure you have a clear vision of what is in front.

No PhD degree holder should earn less than 2 million a month in Nigeria. South Africa pays more. No Professor should earn less than 3.5 million naira per month in Nigeria. Likewise, no teacher should earn less than 1 million naira monthly. If you earn less than this, if you can and able to, go to where you are valued.

Source: Dozie Francis Okpaleke

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com