In a recent episode of the ‘Uncolored’ podcast, stand-up comedian and actor Bovi shared his reasons for relocating his family abroad.
He revealed that his children have been living in the UK for two years now, citing the prevalence of bullying in some Nigerian schools as a major factor in his decision.
Bovi, who attended boarding school in Nigeria himself, acknowledged that the experience made him street-smart.
However, he refused to send his own children to boarding school in Nigeria due to the bullying culture that has become accepted in the educational system.
“I went to boarding school in Nigeria and it made me street-smart. So I decided that my kid needs to go boarding but not in Nigeria because the educational system has accepted bullying,” he explained.
The comedian also attributed the mass migration of Nigerians abroad to the lack of enabling environments in the country.
He cited the example of doctors leaving Nigeria, stating that while new doctors are being trained, the working conditions in the country are not conducive for them to stay.
Bovi emphasized that it’s not just about money, but also about working in an environment that values and supports professionals.
He highlighted the stark contrast between working conditions in Nigeria and those in Western countries, where doctors and other professionals can work with dignity and decent infrastructure.
“If the government wants to stem the tide, they need to check what the West is doing. Why are doctors comfortable going to work in other countries? It’s not just the money. If you are passionate about something but when you get to work, there’s light and an enabling environment, you don’t get to fight to go to work or go back home,” he said.
Bovi noted that Nigeria has been fortunate to avoid major catastrophes like war or natural disasters, but the country’s problems are still deeply ingrained.
He emphasized that the government needs to create an enabling environment for professionals to thrive, rather than just focusing on training new ones.
“Patients have died in Nigeria because of lack of blood or power failure during operation. If you are a medical doctor, would you like to work under that kind of condition? The answer is no,” he concluded.
