The Foreigners Making Nigeria Their New Home

1. Abraham Abraham

Abraham Abraham, popularly known as Pastor, never imagined that Nigeria would become his home. When he was about 20 years old, Abraham had dreams of travelling to Europe. He particularly wanted to reach Russia. At the time, he believed that travelling outside Africa would give him an opportunity to build a better life. He attempted to make the journey through fishing ships. However, his journey was interrupted when he reached Côte d’Ivoire.

While in Côte d’Ivoire, Abraham encountered many people who were also trying to migrate. The large number of people he saw pursuing the same journey made him reconsider his plans. Instead of continuing his journey, he stayed in Côte d’Ivoire for some time. During his stay, he learned how to work as a builder. However, his stay in Côte d’Ivoire was also interrupted by the outbreak of civil war. Because of the instability, Abraham returned to his native Togo.

After returning home, his journey eventually continued, but this time it brought him to Nigeria. When Abraham arrived in Nigeria, he began working on construction sites. He worked as a builder and Nigeria slowly became a place where he could establish himself. Over the years, Abraham became more established as a builder. He supervised the construction of many houses and became part of the process through which people built their homes in many parts of Nigeria. With time, he was also able to build a home for himself at Ilorin, Kwara state.

His life in Nigeria changed from that of a migrant looking for an opportunity to that of a man who had established roots. He brought his wife to Nigeria and eventually brought his children as well. His family grew up around the life he had built in Nigeria.

An aerial view of Abraham Abraham’s community Angwan Sayawa in Abuja, Nigeria.

Abraham Abraham, a migrant from Côte d’Ivoire living in Nigeria, boards a taxi in the ACO area of Abuja en route to a construction site where he works and supervises building projects

Abraham Abraham works at a construction site he supervises at Fourth Royal Estate in Abuja, Nigeria.

Abraham Abraham, a migrant living in Nigeria, scrolls through his phone’s photo gallery, showing images of building projects he has supervised across the country.

Abraham Abraham, a migrant living in Nigeria, stands inside an apartment he is supervising the renovation of at Fourth Royal Estate in Abuja.

Abraham Abraham, a migrant living in Nigeria, speaks on the phone with one of his clients regarding his building projects.

Abraham Abraham sits in his room reading the Bible on his phone. He prefers the electronic version to the physical Bible.

The electronic version of the Bible on Abraham Abraham’s phone as he reads during his morning devotion.

2. Gambo

Gambo is a younger migrant who left his native Niger Republic more than 20 years ago and came to Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. When he left Niger Republic, he believed that Nigeria was where he would be able to make a living and create a better future for himself. He came to Lapai and began working as a man operating a grinding machine. Today, Gambo owns his own grinding shop in Lapai.. The shop has become an important part of his life. It is where he earns his income and interacts with people in the community. Despite spending most of his working life in Lapai, he continues to maintain a strong connection with his native Niger Republic.

When the farming season comes, Gambo returns to Niger Republic to farm. The money he earns from his grinding business in Nigeria helps him finance his agricultural activities back home. When Gambo leaves Lapai to return to Niger Republic for farming, his older brother comes to Nigeria and takes over the operation of the grinding business.

An aerial view of Gambo’s grinding mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Gambo, a migrant from the Niger Republic, sits on a sack of maize inside his grinding mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria, where he operates a grinding business.

Gambo, a migrant from Niger Republic, and his staff work inside his grinding mill, where they grind maize and other grains for customers in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Containers of maize await grinding at Gambo’s grinding mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Customers wait outside Gambo’s grinding mill in Lapai, Niger State, to collect their ground maize and other grains.

Gambo receives payment from a female customer after grinding her maize at his mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. Milling fees start at ₦200 and vary depending on the quantity of maize.

Gambo makes supplications after the Asr prayer at a mosque in Lapai Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria.

Gambo, a migrant from Niger Republic, operates a grinding machine alongside one of his staff at his mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria. He employs more than three Nigerian workers to help run the business.

When he is not working, Gambo spends his free time playing and chatting with his neighbours’ children in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Gambo, a migrant from Niger Republic, rests on a wooden bench at his grinding mill in Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria, taking a break from work.

This story was supported through the Reporting Labour Migration (RELAM) Programme implemented by StoryMi Academy, funded by GIZ Nigeria, and delivered in partnership with Diaspora Africa and Tell That Story