A change of mindset is essential for renewal. Holding on to an outdated mindset often leads you back to where you started, perpetuating the same struggles. True transformation begins with self-awareness—understanding who you are at your core. Ask yourself: What do I want to be? What do I want to achieve? How can I bring out my best?
When no one is there to help, a transformed mindset becomes your strongest support. Following others blindly might take you part of the way, but when you hit a roadblock, only a clear and purposeful mindset can pull you out. If your previous way of thinking was self-defeating, you must let go of it to move forward. You can’t just mimic others without proper preparation. Attempting to follow their path without understanding or readiness will leave you stranded.
It’s like being pushed onto a boat in the middle of the sea without knowing how to paddle or swim. What happens then? You struggle, and if you lack the resources to survive, you drown. Many tragic stories illustrate this, such as those who attempt perilous journeys through Libya to Europe. If their boat capsizes and no rescue is in sight, survival is often impossible.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t leave an environment you’ve outgrown. If you genuinely feel ready to move on, ask yourself: How am I preparing for the next phase of my life? You can’t rely on others’ actions as a blueprint for your success. Your journey starts with you—your goals, plans, and the mindset needed to achieve them. It’s about understanding your unique path and contributing meaningfully to society. Planning is also key to traveling abroad. Here is a book I wrote to get you planning properly.
Does leaving your country automatically solve your problems? Perhaps, but only if you’ve cultivated the right mindset. Without preparation, leaving can become a fruitless escape, driven by a poverty mentality. Many Nigerians believe that simply arriving in Europe or the USA solves half their struggles. It’s a fantasy. The reality is that success starts with a clear vision, preparation, and the right mindset.
Start with Self-Reflection
What do you want to produce? How will you contribute to your country and society? What talents do you have, and how can you refine and apply them? If you don’t yet know your talents, explore your interests and develop skills. Let your motivation for leaving Nigeria—or any place—stem from a genuine desire to grow and achieve something specific. For example, if your passion requires specialized education unavailable locally, then studying abroad might be necessary. But remember, the internet has brought countless opportunities to learn and grow right at home in Nigeria.
Many people leave without knowing what they truly want, thinking that moving abroad will magically transform their lives. Without proper planning and preparation, this mindset leads to disappointment. Success, whether at home or abroad, requires intentional effort. If you want to excel, you must put in the work. Think of preparing for an exam: you only succeed if you study, understand the material, and give it your best effort.
Change Your Perspective About Nigeria:
A change of mindset about Nigeria and yourself is crucial. If you believe everything about Nigeria is bad, you’ll enter other countries with an inflated sense of their goodness, which often isn’t the case. Instead, ask yourself: What can I do to make Nigeria better? What role can I play in its growth?
Nigeria has potential, but we often fail to recognize our part in its progress. Learn a trade, pursue education, and develop your skills. Thanks to technology, much of this can be done from the comfort of your home. With the right mindset, Nigeria becomes the fertile ground where you can plant and nurture your dreams.
Know Who You Are:
The journey to self-discovery doesn’t require a plane ticket. If you go abroad without knowing who you are, you waste years searching for answers you could have uncovered at home. But if you discover your purpose and gifts in Nigeria, traveling abroad becomes a stepping stone rather than a lifeline. It’s a short-term opportunity to refine yourself before returning to contribute meaningfully to your community and inspire the next generation.
The Blueprint for Success:
Everything begins with a mindset. Start by asking yourself: Who am I? What do I want to achieve? How can I contribute to my country and society? When you embrace self-awareness and preparation, you create a roadmap to success that isn’t reliant on external factors. Whether you choose to stay or travel, your future starts with a transformed mindset and a commitment to making the best of wherever you are.
My Journey: The Power of Purpose and Mindset
What I’ve just shared stems from my personal life experiences and reflections on where I began. My journey started in Nigeria, where I landed a job that transformed my perspective even before traveling abroad. When I eventually left Nigeria for Europe and then the USA, I had a clear blueprint of my purpose for going.
One key aspect of my mindset back then was that I never thought Nigeria was a bad place, nor did I consider myself poor. My primary goal was education, but at the time, my parents couldn’t afford the tuition fees. Despite that challenge, I followed what I believe the Universe had planted within me: the drive to seek opportunities. I found a job with an organization that broadened my awareness and gave me valuable exposure. I pursued that job with intention and passion because I dreamed of becoming an air hostess, which turned out to be a stepping stone in my journey. Through that opportunity, God and the Universe helped me transcend my circumstances.
When I traveled to the USA, I carried with me a strong desire for education. However, I hadn’t properly planned how to fund my studies, and this lack of preparation created significant challenges. It took years to accomplish my educational goals because my mindset at the time wasn’t fully aligned with the planning required to make them happen seamlessly.
Even with those challenges, my perspective on Nigeria remained positive. I never saw Nigeria as poor, nor did I view its people as inherently corrupt. Perhaps this outlook helped me when I arrived in the UK and later the USA, as I was able to find the help, I needed to achieve my goal of attending university. My ultimate dream was to become a writer—to tell stories—and I succeeded in that pursuit.
Unlike many, my reasons for going to America were never centered on working to make money or marrying to start a family, though those things may happen naturally in life. These goals simply weren’t part of my personal blueprint. In fact, I wasn’t raised to focus on marriage or wealth as primary aspirations. When I eventually began to desire those things, they came with their own set of struggles, as they weren’t ingrained in my early mindset.
The Lesson: Purpose and Planning
One lesson I’ve learned through my journey is that whatever you want to achieve in life requires intentionality. You must ask yourself why you want it and commit to that vision. Without a clear sense of purpose, things won’t flow naturally. Success and fulfillment start with thoughtful preparation and a deep understanding of your “why.”
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