A Nigerian man has described a horrific childhood experience after his mother relocated him from Atlanta, Georgia, to Nigeria at the age of 17, describing how the decision altered the direction of his life.
In a video posted on X (previously Twitter), the man, who grew up in Atlanta since the age of three, stated he cherished his time there and went to public school throughout his childhood.
However, following his sophomore year of high school, his mother unexpectedly announced that the family was relocating to Nigeria.
“One day after my sophomore year, my mom tells me, ‘Hey, I’m moving to Nigeria.’ And I look at her and I say, ‘Congratulations.’ She looked at me back and says, ‘No, we’re all going.’ I’m like, ‘I’m not going.’”
He said that his friends attempted to assist him stay in America, with his pastor even offering to let him live with him. However, his mother disagreed and later became distraught when she asked him to pledge that he would join the flight.
After they landed in Lagos, he claimed his mother tore up his American passport and enrolled him in boarding school. Six months later, he escaped and went to the American embassy with his companions for assistance.
“They offered me a flight back to America. But the problem is, if I got on that plane, my family would have disowned me. And I said, ‘You know what? One more year will not kill me.’ And that’s how my life started in Nigeria, and I ended up in London for my undergrad and master’s,” he added.
His story has sparked debate online, with many people criticising his mother’s decision and its influence on his life.
Looking back, he expressed gratitude for leaving Atlanta, saying that his life would have been worse if he had stayed there.