Popular comedian and TV host, Teju Oyelakin, widely known as Teju Babyface, has shared an honest reflection on his relocation experience to the United States, describing it as far more difficult than he had imagined.
Speaking in a recent episode on his YouTube channel, Teju said many Nigerians hold a false belief that life automatically becomes easier abroad, while overlooking the unseen challenges that come with starting over in a new environment.
“We all tend to suffer from what I call the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ syndrome,” he said. “From where we stand, another place always looks better—greener, more promising. But we usually don’t see the challenges that come with it until we get there.”
The comedian revealed that he initially regretted relocating, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made adjusting to life in the U.S. even more difficult.
“I lived in that place for years. America has its own unique set of difficulties. When you add COVID to that, it was brutal. For about three years, I was convinced I’d made the biggest mistake of my life—that I had shot myself in the foot,” he admitted.
Despite the hardship, Teju said the experience taught him valuable lessons about resilience, perspective, and contentment, urging Nigerians to make relocation decisions with clear understanding rather than emotion.
He concluded by encouraging those seeking greener pastures to develop patience and adaptability, stressing that fulfilment often comes from thriving where one is planted rather than constantly chasing what seems better elsewhere.
