There’s something unforgettable about your first night in your very own apartment. After moving out of your parents’ house, your own space is one of the big markers of independence and being grown up.
Zikoko asked seven Nigerians about the first night they spent in their apartment after moving out, and their responses were equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and relatable.
“It is one night I can never forget.” — Desola*(24), F
It was my first time living alone, and it was bliss. I enjoyed it so much! I had my full bed to myself — I didn’t have to share with anyone. I realised living alone meant I could play my music at night, and I wasn’t disturbing anyone. I could take phone calls anytime I wanted without the fear of bothering someone. It is one night I can never forget.
“I got a little room in a face-me-I-slap-you house.“ — Morgan*(37), M
I had just turned 19 and gotten my “freedom” at the shop where I did my printing apprenticeship. I got into a fight with my dad where he said if I was going to live under his roof, I would have to follow his rules. I found that unacceptable, so I took the money I had saved up from tips and side gigs at the printing shop and got a single little room in a face-me-I-slap-you house.
Looking back, it was a dank and dirty little room, but on my first night there, I was so proud of myself. I felt like a real man, a big boy. Bills have humbled me, but that apartment was the start of real adulthood for me.
“It felt like I had everything in the world.” — Fisayo*(29), F
It’s wild because I’m about to move out of that very first apartment into a bigger one, but at the time, it felt like a mansion. I was so proud that I could finally afford a space that doubled as my art studio, in the same estate I’d grown up in — but this time, it was mine.
I remember thinking about all the things I wanted to do there: the dinners I would host, the sleepovers I could finally plan, the freedom to do my own thing, on my own terms. Suddenly, I forgot all the fights it took to get there. I forgot how my parents insisted I should move from their house straight into my husband’s. Hilarious when there was no man in sight, not even a prospect. I just wanted space to find myself, to learn about myself. That first night felt like the beginning of that journey. I’m never really able to sleep the first night in a new space, but I slept like a baby. It was just me, a bed, and a fridge. But in that moment, it felt like I had everything in the world.
“When I lived with people, I was always this paranoid feeling that someone touched my stuff, but now I can leave stuff anywhere” — Franklin* (26), M
I was coming from a previous situation that was not convenient, and I really liked where I moved to in Ibadan. My mind was bursting with all the possibilities this new space offered me on my first night there. It had everything I wanted in a space; almost 24 hours light, a big room, a big kitchen, a big toilet. I could set myself up how I wanted, and dating would be easier. My previous co-living space had greatly limited my dating possibilities in the past.
When I lived with people, there was always this paranoid feeling that someone touched my stuff or stole some of it, but now I can leave stuff anywhere without thinking deeply about it. My new place also has a field nearby, and I look forward to getting fit on it.
“Nothing was arranged, and the floors needed a good scrubbing, but I felt like a queen.” — Yetunde*(55), F
It was in 1995, and I had just finished my HND program at Kwara State University. My boyfriend — now husband — got me a two-bedroom apartment because I wasn’t ready to get married immediately.
That first night, I felt like such a big girl. Nothing was arranged, and the floors needed a good scrubbing, but I felt like a queen. It’s such an empowering feeling to have your own space. I encourage all women to do it at least for a year in their lives; it’s thrilling.
“Even now, whenever I move into a new apartment, it still feels just as amazing as the first time.” — Damilola*(26), F
I moved out of my parents’ house in the middle of the night, right in the middle of the COVID lockdown. Nothing was arranged, and all my things were in boxes, but my first night at my first apartment felt surreal. I almost couldn’t believe that I was this grown babe with a job and her own place.
It was exciting, scary and amazing. I had lived alone when I went to university, but there was always this knowledge that I was going back home. Now, this place was all mine, to do with however I like. It’s not a feeling I would ever give up. Even now, whenever I move into a new apartment, it still feels just as amazing as the first time.
“I was very happy to tell my parents and show that I was a capable adult.” — Adejare*(29), F
I had just moved to Lagos against my parents’ wishes, and they didn’t give me a dime for my accommodation as punishment. I was squatting in a corper’s lodge using most of my alawee for rent when a friend of mine offered to let me live in his family’s boys’ quarters for free.
It wasn’t a large room, but it had its own kitchen, bathroom and a fridge. My first night there was the very first time I truly saw that this moving to Lagos thing might work out great for me. I was very happy to give my parents the update and show that I was a capable adult. I wish I could buy that feeling, it was amazing!
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