A Nigerian man living in the United States has sparked conversations online after speaking about the realities of life abroad, urging Nigerians not to assume that relocating automatically guarantees financial comfort.

Speaking during an episode of the Frankly Business podcast, he said many people idealise life overseas without fully understanding the financial responsibilities many immigrants face each month.

He said:

“Things are tough in the US, seriously tough. A bad house costs about $1,500 to $1,800 per month. They live from hand to mouth. Nobody helps anybody abroad. If you ask a friend to borrow you $50, he may not even pick your calls the next day.”

According to him, after paying rent and other basic living expenses, many workers are left with little or no disposable income.

He explained that costs such as groceries, taxes, electricity and water bills can quickly consume a monthly salary, making it difficult for many people to save despite earning in dollars.

“Before you know it, your $3,000 salary is gone. Rent, taxes, electricity, water and groceries take everything. They live from hand to mouth, and nobody helps anybody abroad,” he added.

His comments generated mixed reactions on social media. While some Nigerians agreed with his perspective and said life abroad is often portrayed unrealistically, others argued that the opportunities available overseas still make relocation worthwhile despite the challenges.

The viral video has renewed discussions about the true cost of living abroad, with many pointing out that earning in dollars does not necessarily guarantee financial ease.