Moving cities can be a risky decision, especially when it means leaving behind a familiar life. But for the Nigerians in this piece, the decision was necessary to get a better shot at the life they want. 

They moved across Nigeria in search of better opportunities, a chance to start over, and ultimately, a better financial future. Here’s how that went for them.

“I moved to Lagos thinking I’d make more money. I ended up poorer” — Obinna*, 56, M

In the early 2000s, I left Enugu for Lagos because everyone around me said there was money there. I had a small phone and gadget business and thought a larger market would mean higher profits. 

I arrived with ₦500k, which I used to rent a shop and apartment. Within six months, I made more sales than I ever had in Enugu, but somehow I had less money. To this day, I honestly can’t explain what happened. I was working hard but getting poorer and falling into debt.

On top of that, my family back home were expecting money. I eventually had to move back to Enugu. It took me a year to recover. Enugu didn’t bring me as much money as I hoped to make in Lagos, but I’ve lived a good life over the years. Not everyone’s destiny is tied to Lagos.

“I ran away from Benin because my father was physically abusive” — Itohan*, 28, F

I was 21 when I left Benin City for Lagos in 2019. Actually, I ran away. My father had always been violent, but it got worse after I told him I’d no longer give him money from my hairdressing income. I also couldn’t leave home because I was broke.

One night, he beat me so badly that I ran out and slept on the street. The next morning, I used my last ₦15k and travelled to Lagos to stay with a friend. I didn’t take one change of clothing. Every day for two months, I walked around looking for a job. At night, I slept on the floor of my friend’s self-contained apartment. I eventually got a factory job paying ₦35k/month. Around the same time, I fell out with my friend and had to start sleeping at the factory. 

In all of this, I still occasionally sent money home to my mum so she could escape, too. She never left. On the bright side, my financial situation is better now. I have a better job, a hairdressing side hustle, and my own apartment. So, it all worked out in the end. 

“Moving to Uyo changed my finances” — Donald*, 30, M

I was a photographer in Lagos with a very unstable income because my earnings depended on events. I wanted to own my own studio to expand my services, but I was never able to save. All my money went to transportation, food and rent. So, I took a risk and moved to Uyo to live with my aunt temporarily and try to save money. I also freelanced with a studio and occasionally travelled to Lagos for events. 

Two years later, I have my own studio and an assistant. I earn less than my counterparts in Lagos, but I have lower expenses and can finally save. I wouldn’t say moving to a cheaper city automatically makes you financially successful, but it bought me time, and that was what I needed.

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“I moved to Abuja to escape debt” — Precious*, 31, F

In 2024, I borrowed ₦700k from a microfinance bank in Lagos to save my failing clothing business. The business still failed, and worse, I didn’t have money to pay back my debt.

Soon, the bank started calling me daily and camping around my house to threaten me. I had to change my phone number and run to Abuja to hide with extended family. Thankfully, I got a job three months after my move and gradually repaid my debt (which had grown to ₦1.6m) throughout 2025 and early 2026. My uncle paid half of it, though.

The plan was to move back after settling my debt, but I recently landed a ₦800k/month job here. Things are finally looking up, so I might as well just stay here for good.

“I left Calabar to become a nanny in Lagos” — Gina*, 27, F

After graduating from uni in Calabar, I spent two years job-hunting with no luck. In 2023, someone told me about a nanny position in Lagos. I was embarrassed because I had a degree and thought people would see it as a step backwards. But the salary was ₦100k, and it came with accommodation.

My friends laughed at me when they found out why I moved, but that job ended up changing my life. The family was nice to me, and when they were about to relocate abroad in 2025, they recommended me for an administrative position at a school. I earn ₦200k/month now. I’m not where I hope to be yet, but if I hadn’t moved, who knows whether I wouldn’t still be job-hunting in Calabar.

“I regret moving my business to Ogun State” — Kemi*, 31, F

I moved my tailoring business from Lagos to Ogun State in 2019 because I realised I was spending too much just to keep it running. All my profit went to rent and transportation. I had a family house in Ogun state, and I thought it would be cheaper to run the business there and help me keep more money.

It didn’t work out like that. The customers in Ogun State weren’t willing to pay more than ₦5k per outfit. For context, I was charging up to ₦40k in Lagos. To make things worse, the lockdown happened the following year, and I didn’t earn anything for months.

Things are a bit more stable now, but I’ve been trying for years to move back to Lagos, and nothing is working. Lagos rent is even crazier now, and I can’t afford it. I regret moving.

If you enjoyed reading this, Zikoko Life’s A Happy Ending explores that same desire for a better life, and the difficult choices that can come with pursuing it.

Watch here: