As Nigeria faces mounting challenges, including corruption, insecurity and unprecedented inflation, the voices of young Nigerian women resonate with resilience and determination. We asked 5 Nigerian women to share their experiences living in Nigeria and how they navigate the tumultuous landscape of the country. In these interviews, their stories offer a glimpse into their daily struggles, but more importantly, they reveal the unwavering spirit and the driving forces that keep them motivated amidst the uncertainty.
Delve into the realities of Chika*, Rory*, Kristine*, Ronke and Rita* whose words or experiences may not only resonate with you but may serve as a beacon of hope for thriving in Nigeria today.
What’s Your Name and How Old are You?
Chika, 23 years old.
Rory, 24 years old.
Kristine, 25 years old.
Ronke, 25 years old.
Rita, 26 years old.
What About the Current State of the World and Nigeria Displeases You, and Why are You Displeased by It?
Chika: Is it too predictable if I say the Nigerian government? They are just a bunch of old men who have robbed youths of the opportunity to become the leaders of tomorrow. Although they say comparison is the thief of joy, I look at my life today and compare it to the life of my mother when she was my age. I look at all the things she was able to achieve then because she lived in a “working” Nigeria, and I get so mad that my blood begins to boil.
I also detest the individualistic morphing of the world as a whole. People only care about themselves these days, forgetting that we are all somehow interconnected. Women’s rights are being debated every day by people who not only see us as inferior but also as mere objects and baby-making machines. To add to this, the atrocities currently happening in Congo, Sudan and Palestine make my heart bleed.
Honestly, I’m just tired.
Rory: I can’t stand the fact that Nigeria imports way more goods than we export. How exactly will the country ever be self-sufficient?
Kristine: The way people are being kidnapped is so, so scary. You can’t even scroll through Instagram or Twitter without seeing a missing report. I’m honestly scared to leave my house at times, especially in this Abuja. This is no way to live. Four months ago, my friend’s dad was kidnapped. When these kinds of things hit too close to home, it opens up very real fears that it really can be you, anytime, any day.
Can I also add how disgusting and alarming the rate of Nigerian men’s sexism is? I thought as a society we are progressing in terms of liberal values. I try to avoid social media these days because you really can’t scroll without seeing a rape case, revenge porn, domestic abuse or the most irritating and harmful opinion ever from a man.
Ronke: The three top things in Nigeria that annoy me are: the high level of Insecurity, the low minimum wage and the inconsistent state of electricity, mostly because it directly and negatively impacts my standard of living.
Rita: The inflation of prices, goods and services makes life very difficult. Nigerians watched in real time the eradication of the middle class. Now, you’re either rich or poor.
What are You Doing to Cope?
Chika: Hmmmmm…I am learning how to cope but it is hard when the odds are stacked against you. Aside from being proactive in my activism, I take time out from social media to just be. I’ve always loved writing, but sadly since writing became my career, it has not been an easy outlet like it used to be. Music helps too, plus I recently started working out. The gym girlies were right, it does make you feel better.
Rory: I currently work in the agricultural sector of a bank. In my work, I prioritize the empowerment of agribusinesses which at a time, used to be responsible for more than 50% of the country’s exports. I’m working hard to see that we take back that title.
Kristen: To be honest, I try to be really vocal about the things I hate both online and offline. I can’t see rubbish near me and let it pass by. It must be addressed. This genuinely makes me feel like I am being the change I want to see in the world. Another way I cope is by reducing my screen time, there’s way too many terrible things happening in the world and social media exposes all of them to us at once. I don’t think human beings are wired to be privy to that great scale of negativity.
For the issue of kidnapping, I just started using “along” because of the crazy Uber prices. I always share my location with loved ones, I never enter a taxi that is full-ish and I carry a pocket knife with me.
Ronke: I feel like my hands are tied. There’s really not much more to do than to hope a change will occur soon.
Rita: Omo, I have had to be frugal and cut down on a lot of things.
What Makes You Keep Going in These Trying Times?
Chika: This may sound very odd but my dead grandmother keeps me going. She died at a young age and I favour her in a lot of ways. When I do things as little as ticking tasks off my to-do list, I feel it is for both of us. I also feel like I owe her not to waste my potential as I am blessed with opportunities she could only dream about.
Rory: My motivation these days is that nobody else will do it so how can I not? Nobody in the government or high places are willing to take that risk in 2024 and if someone starts, at least people will follow.
Kristine: I am motivated to stay alive because, call me delusional, but I know I am going to do great things. So why stop halfway to the completion of my journey? I also have a sister that I adore, and I want her to have a good life. She is the anchor that keeps me going.
Ronke: I want to experience that sense of fulfilment that comes with success. I also have a deep fear of failure. Lastly, I’m grateful to have a family that gives me enough good reasons to be alive.
Rita: God. I know his plans are to give me a future and a hope.
Are there Any Words of Motivation or Affirmation that Reminds You that Everything Will Be Okay?
Chika: Nothing lasts forever. I know it is not going to be this gloomy forever. At some point, the sun will come out but regardless, waiting periods are hard.
Rory: Never let the fact that I’m a woman deny me from making radical changes.
Kristen: Hmmm, I’m an avid reader so I have a lot of words of affirmations that have strengthened me and I really can’t pick one. I’m not religious but the Bible is packed with so many motivational quotes. I also read the words of Ijeoma Umebinyuo, she’s a Nigerian writer and she’s brilliant. Rupi Kaur and Ozzy Etomi pen some good stuff too. I normally send words from these four sources to the people I care about, and I will advise young women to check them out as well,
Ronke: No condition is permanent, there is hope as long as there is life.
Rita: Isaiah 26:3 says, you will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.
What Things Do You Do to Spark the Much Needed Joy in Your Life?
Chika: God! I love reading. I love the fact that I get to be introduced to this new world. I think the best thing about reading is being able to find myself in some of these fictional characters.
Rory: I go to the beach to enjoy solitude and swim. I also spend time with loved ones and like minds.
Kristen: I am a huge advocate for romanticizing the mundanities of life. To spark joy, I will order a meal that makes my taste buds dance, I will lose myself in a fantasy novel, or I will plan a girl’s night out with my besties. That last one is really important, because getting dressed up to go outside and play with the people who love you is soul-soothing. I pray every woman has a tribe of women who appreciate the light in her.
Ronke: I read romance novels. It makes me plunge into oblivion for some minutes or hours.
Rita: I watch a lot of movies lately. They help me escape for a little while.
*This article was edited and condensed for the sake of privacy and clarity.
