How Similar is Africa's Most Populated Country to America?
“Welcome to the United States, oh! I see you’re going to the West Coast” — this was how I was greeted by the border control officer at the US point of entry in New York.
The surprised look on his face upon realizing that I had an onward journey to far-away San Francisco was quite interesting.
I imagined he saw the west coast as a totally different part of the country where people from the East coast do not travel to quite often.
The East and West Coasts aren’t just thousands of miles apart within the same country, they are two different places, I would think so.
America is the melting pot of several cultures, and each region is distinct, which is the hallmark of it being a heterogeneous country.
Another country with the same heterogeneity is Nigeria. I couldn’t help but notice this similarity from movies, documentaries and based on my brief interaction with the airport officer.
You see, Nigeria likes to pride herself as Africa’s most populated country. It’s true and to add to this fact is that she’s also the most populated black nation in the world.
While Nigeria’s over 200 million population isn’t too far away from America’s 300+ million, Nigeria’s population density is much higher.
For context, the combined sizes of Texas and Oklahoma states is almost the same as Nigeria. So, picture 60% of America’s population cramped in Texas and Oklahoma. Fascinating, right? Or not. You’ll probably be choked and public infrastructure will be overstretched.
When you visit Nigeria, it is important to be specific about where exactly in Nigeria you’re visiting. It is not uncommon that various cities will have features that make them unique but in Nigeria’s case the differences could be rather stark.
North-Eastern Nigeria is considered the poorest part of the country and even as a Nigerian, from the south I’m shocked to see visuals from that region.
If I was blindfolded and dropped off there, I wouldn’t question anyone if they told me I was in a different country. And this goes both ways. A local from that part of the country may feel the same way in the south.
Sometimes these differences are amazing. Cultural, historical, geographical, tribal/racial or language differences are a blessing, and they reveal the beauty in diversity.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Differences in income equality and wealth distribution are major causes of the shock that comes with realizing the disparity in opportunities for citizens.
Nigeria is made up of many different parts. Some differences are good and unfortunately some aren’t.
Is this like America? I’d love to get more insights from US citizens or residents.
The West Coast of the US attracts a lot of people. It's sunny and you get all sorts of people and dense populations. That brings a lot of issues out, like homelessness and mental health issues.
To use the phrase third-world countries as if that is in itself some kind of bad thing is a racist dog whistle that immature white people here use to speak poorly about other countries.
All countries have their issues. All people have their issues.
Some are judgmental and unlike Jesus, while bragging about how much of a Jesus-loving patriot they are.
Hypocrites are very common here. Especially in the Evangelical churches.
They point the finger and blame everyone but themselves.
It's sad and pathetic, really.
If you come to visit again, I have family in both LA and SF, and you will find those cities and people there as welcoming as anywhere else.
Regardless of what some complainers will try to tell you.
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Well, you share more than one trait with American: we’re hustlers. We like to gain the upper hand, even if that hand costs someone else an arm and a leg!