The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
Nath (21) became too troublesome for his parents to handle so they brought him back to Nigeria as a form of punishment. In this week’s edition of Abroad Life, he shares how he struggled after the sudden relocation and defied all odds to find his way back to Brazil.
Where do you live, and when did you move out of Nigeria?
I live in Brazil, and I moved here from Nigeria in October 2024. Although I was born and partly raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
So why did you come back to Nigeria?
In 2011, my parents brought me back to Nigeria to discipline me. I was becoming too rowdy for them, so they brought me back to instil morals in me. I did my primary and secondary school education in Nigeria.
First of all, how did your Nigerian parents end up in Brazil?
My dad’s first business took him to Brazil. Then he returned to Nigeria, married my mom and took her to Brazil with him. That’s how we all settled there.
What was growing up like in Brazil?
It was much simpler than my life in Nigeria. Everybody’s free-spirited in Brazil. The food and culture were great. Food and soccer brought people together. Even looking back at those memories makes me happy. It was so peaceful; nobody was worried about anything. We were always dancing. Brazil has this party-everyday atmosphere that makes life worth living.
So, how did you feel when you moved back to Nigeria?
Unfortunately, the first place I set foot in after our relocation was Lagos. I was shocked by how chaotic and busy it was. From Lagos, we flew straight to the village to see my grandma, and I stayed there for about one month. I only knew Portuguese and couldn’t speak a single word of English, so I felt left out.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Did it get any better?
It didn’t. We left the village and settled in Lagos, where I was enrolled in school, and I’m not exaggerating when I say I hated school. I was mocked for not knowing how to speak English and for having a heavy Portuguese accent.
I had to learn a new language (English) from scratch. Even after I started learning, it was impossible to drop my accent. It was so bad that my nanny had to learn how to speak basic Portuguese. It took me a whole year to learn how to greet in English.
The school also threatened to kick me out if I didn’t learn how to speak English soon enough. As a young child still trying to process Lagos’ bustling nature, I found it hard to learn quickly.
Did your parents attempt to teach you English while growing up in Brazil?
No, they didn’t. The place where we grew up is full of Portuguese speakers, so there wasn’t any need to learn English. How many years did it take you to learn how to speak proper English?
It took over two years to learn the basics, but I got better as the years passed.
So why did you go back to Brazil?
To chase my dreams. The first thing you should know is that ever since I watched a Brazillian movie called City of God, I wanted to go into theatre and filmmaking. But I also wanted to impress my parents so badly, so after finishing secondary school, I decided to study law because that was what they wanted. I sat for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam twice, and I failed both times. I decided to write it for the third time, but I failed again. It was then I started thinking of returning to where I was born to finally chase my filmmaking dream. I was already a citizen, so I didn’t need to look for a visa or passport. I just renewed my passport, and off I went.
I love that for you!
Thanks! I got equipment to kickstart my filmmaking journey a few days after I arrived Brazil. I also started brushing up on my Portuguese; I never forgot how to speak it, but I needed some lessons to help me speak more fluently. Now, I’m a film school student in Brazil, and I’m living my best life.
How did you convince your parents to allow you to go to film school?
When I first told my parents, they thought I wasn’t serious. It took years to convince them, so I had to find ways to keep the passion alive. I started watching many movies while waiting for my big break. My sister introduced me to old Hollywood movies and inspired me to start my movie catalogue, which now has up to 3000 movies.
3000 movies?
Yes. I started collecting them in my SS2.
Wow! So, at what point did they start supporting your passion?
After failing to pass JAMB three times, my dad told me I could do whatever I wanted. It was starting to look like I was failing the exam intentionally so I wouldn’t be forced to study law. In all honesty, I tried, but it was only to please them.
How is life going in Brazil?
Returning as an adult is different but the place is exactly how I pictured it as a child. There’s still the same free spirit and free socialisation devoid of race or class bias. I’m trying to immerse myself in the culture all over again.
Are your parents sponsoring you?
We struck a deal. My dad promised to sponsor me if I hit a certain sales quota for his business. I hit it, and he kept to his end of the deal.
Nice. How does it feel to be chasing your dream finally?
It’s been beautiful, but I plan to live in Brazil for only two years and then return to Nigeria. I’m passionate about seeing Nollywood grow, so I plan to apply everything I’m learning here to the Nigerian industry. One of my dreams is to win an Oscar for the Nigerian industry.
That’s ambitious. Have you found it easy to reconnect to your Brazilian roots?
I’m getting there. I took a barista job for my first three months here, so it would be easier for me to connect with people. I’ve also finally visited the Jesus the Redeemer statue, which I’ve wanted to see since childhood. When I went there, I was astonished.
Brazillian food is another thing I’m happy to be experiencing again. I still feel close to Nigeria because there are four Nigerians in my department, and we connect regularly. I also live with my Nigerian aunty, so I actually don’t feel far from home.
So would you recommend relocating to Brazil?
100%. There’s peace of mind, affordable housing, quality education and free healthcare here.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you with your life in Brazil?
10 over 10. I’m so happy. Life is beautiful in Brazil!
Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).
