Gen Z Guide to FI

If you are Nigerian and grew up in Lagos, you might be able to relate to some of this. If you’re visiting Lagos, these might be some things to note as you travel.

THING 1

My business is everyone’s business: everywhere I go, I run into someone who either knows me or my parents. I’ve been thinking about being incognito and going in secret someday but I’m sure I will be spotted. Get it “spotted” like in gossip girl. Haha let me be delusional. But seriously, it’s a really small world in Lagos. I have family & family friends in too many parts. There’s no place to hide. I like to keep my business private (explains the anonymous blogger). There’s nothing private about being back in town.

THING 2

Corruption is heavy at airports: I think this might have gotten worse in the past year. I noticed almost every airport official around me having secret deals with passengers. Like passengers ask “help me get to the front of the line” and then they (officials & passengers) would have a clandestine exchange of money. I also know this because my dad did that exact thing to get me to the front of the line. He thought he was being slick but he’s too loud. Is it hypocritical that I felt bad about it even though I said nothing? YES. I waited in that line just to check in my luggage for about 2 hours and I was tired of waiting. I’m still acknowledging that that behavior is wrong even though I benefited from it. That is why I’m dragging myself and my dad on here. At every checkpoint – customs, security, the gates – the airport staff openly asked me for money. Their words were “aunty, bless me before you go to America”. To which I respond, “I don’t have cash”. Then, I went away. Firstly, I’m still a sexy youth. Why you calling me aunty?

On a serious note, I didn’t want to anger these officials because I was really not trying to be stuck in Nigeria. If I didn’t care about getting stuck, I’d just ignore their comment entirely. There are signs at each of those checkpoints that stated “call this number 080… to report extortion”. It is such a paradox. What am I actually giving them money for? It made me so angry.

THING 3

TRAFFIC!!!: I realized my high school was only 30 mins away from my parent’s house on this trip. It always took like 2-3 hours to get there every morning. Truly despicable traffic. Lagos is so overpopulated. The drivers are – for lack of a better term -“crazy”. People drive on side walks. People drive in the opposite direction on a one way road. People release cows on the road. I think when I was younger, I mostly slept through all the car rides. Once I got in a car, I was teleported to dream realm. But since I started driving, I can’t help but wonder how I made it home alive every day back then.

Nigeria is a different world y’all. I know there’s much to be done before it can be a stable country. I’m not willing to move back and do the work though… That’s just me being honest. I know I’ll lose my mind if I live there again.

That being said, despite all the crazy, I’m booking another flight for January. I’m trying to get my friends to come too. LOL.

If you have been to Nigeria recently, feel free to leave a comment. Or dm me @genzfirebaby on instagram.

XOXO Gen Z Fire Baby