The Homecoming Series #4

Written by Manuela U

My plan had always been to move back to Nigeria after university for Law School. Quite frankly, I was tired of breathing British oxygen. I craved sunshine, chaos and most importantly, proper food that didn’t put a dent in my account!

The day to finally leave the UK came. I was excited and anxious. I’d be going to law school in Abuja – a city I had never been to. No parental supervision in Nigeria, imagine the possibilities! 20th of June and it was time to go to law school. Mum and I got to the local airport and the flight was delayed for about 2 hours. But it was all good. I was still excited. We arrived Bwari, Abuja (where Law School is situated) around 8pm. It was the longest, scariest ride ever. The driver entertained us with tales of how creepy the nights get at our destination. He got to my mum with that talk but he didn’t succeed in killing my vibe! We finally arrived at the famous Elim hotel. My mum was requesting for soft tissues, proper bed sheets, more TV channel options and better lighting like she was at the Marriott. I was mentally prepared for this (at least that’s what I thought) because after all, we’re in Nigeria.

Day 3 in Abuja. Time to go to my hostel so Mummy and I decide to walk from the hotel. We walk through high grass and red sand, proper village stuff. Surely this is in no way is a reflection of where I’ll be sleeping, I thought. Until I arrived… When the porter said “here are your keys” I laughed so hard for a good 2 minutes. He had to be joking. Keys to where? A zoo? All of a sudden I felt like a foreigner. Where is the wifi? Where are the curtains? Where is the sink to brush my teeth in? Why does my door not close? Where is the shower? Where is the tap that runs with water? When I realised I wasn’t getting the answers I wanted to these questions, I topped up my phone and called my dad to lament about my situation, hoping he would sympathise with me and suggest I come back to Lagos to rethink my decision to go to Law School. “Welcome back home” he told me and with that my initial laughter very quickly turned to tears.