Popular Nigerian actress and radio host Omotunde Adebowale David—widely known as Lolo1—has sparked a wave of reactions following her blunt remarks about the tough choices Nigerians are making to survive, both at home and overseas.
In a candid commentary on the country’s deteriorating conditions, Lolo1 didn’t mince words: “I feel bad for Nigerians.” Her concern? Citizens are choosing to suffer in foreign lands to enjoy the basics—like electricity and good roads—things that should be standard at home.
She spoke passionately about how Nigerians are paying enormous tuition fees to study abroad, contributing to the economies of other nations, while their country crumbles under poor leadership and mismanagement. “The data is in your face,” she said. “We’re making life easier for other countries while ours keeps sliding backward.”
Despite the often harsh and even degrading conditions many Nigerians face abroad, Lolo1 pointed out that people still prefer to “manage” there because, unlike in Nigeria, at least the lights stay on and the roads don’t eat up their cars. “You may be struggling, but you’re struggling with some dignity. You can get from point A to B without risking your life in traffic or praying the bus doesn’t break down.”
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She highlighted how, in Nigeria, public transportation is stigmatized and basic survival has become expensive. “Even food is now a luxury,” she lamented. “And if you dare enter public transport, society labels you poor. That’s not true. I don’t want to drive every day—but what choice do I have in this system?”
Her powerful remarks reflect the daily frustration of many Nigerians navigating a country plagued by instability, inflation, and broken infrastructure. For Lolo1, it’s not just about the economy—it’s about dignity, sanity, and survival.
And while her words may sting, they’re a mirror to a reality that too many pretend not to see. Until leadership delivers more than promises, the painful truth is that Nigerians will continue to “manage abroad” rather than live freely and comfortably at home.
