A Nigerian man currently residing in the United Kingdom, UK, has described fellow Nigerians in the UK as ghetto, sparking a heated debate on social media. His statements, which were shared on his X account on Friday, January 17, have raised eyebrows as he laments the behaviour and attitude of Nigerians living in the UK.
Iruefi, who expressed his frustrations online, pointed out that while Nigerians in the UK might present a more polished image online, the reality is much different. He remarked that the online persona of Nigerians in the UK is just a small part of what goes on in real life, highlighting the stark contrast between the image presented and the challenges faced in the community.
He went on to explain that the only thing preventing the areas with Nigerian communities in the UK from becoming like Ajegunle, a well-known slum in Nigeria, is the presence of law and order in the country. According to Iruefi, without law enforcement, the situation could quickly spiral into something far more chaotic.
Iruefi further elaborated on the difficulties faced by Nigerians in the UK, particularly the financial strain that many experience. He stated, “You stay one month without a job and the bills come piling up – you basically live paycheck to paycheck.” His comments reflect the harsh economic reality of life in the UK, where the cost of living is high, and many struggle to meet basic needs despite long hours of work.
The Nigerian man also shed light on the extent to which fraud has become a common coping mechanism for many Nigerians in the UK. He revealed that in an effort to maintain the lifestyle expected of them by both their local communities in the UK and back home in Nigeria, many Nigerians engage in fraudulent activities. He explained that some Nigerians resort to defrauding their fellow countrymen, stealing large sums of money that have been hard-earned. Iruefi shared that he himself had been a victim of fraud, losing £8k last year and £21k in total, a situation he claims is common within the Nigerian community in the UK.
He theorized that the root cause of these actions lies in the scarcity of resources in the UK, combined with the classist mindset prevalent among many Nigerians. Iruefi believes that the desire to impress others, both within the UK and in Nigeria, drives people to engage in fraudulent acts to meet a lifestyle that their minimum wage jobs cannot sustain. This cycle, according to him, has contributed to a growing issue within the community, where many are willing to go to great lengths, including committing crimes, to maintain an image of success.
In his full post on X, Iruefi expressed his disappointment with the way things have developed in the Nigerian community within the UK, emphasizing the reality behind the façade that is often presented online. His post drew attention to the stark contrast between how Nigerians in the UK present themselves publicly versus the struggles and issues they face privately, ultimately questioning the impact of these behaviors on the larger community.
My bro, what you see online is very little compared to what goes on in real life. Nigerians in the UK are so ghetto. If not for law & order in this country, the areas where there are Nigerian communities will be no different from Ajegunle.
I spent over £50k to bring my family… https://t.co/SBu64AeJkQ
— Iruefi XXL (@IruefiNG) January 17, 2025
