$5,000 Salary but Lonely: Nigerian Woman Returns Home from Dubai

By Paul Joseph

A Nigerian woman who relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in search of better career opportunities has sparked widespread reactions online after revealing that she returned home due to overwhelming loneliness.

The woman, identified as Susan Adike, shared her experience in an interview that later circulated widely on social media. Her story has since triggered conversations about the emotional challenges faced by many Nigerians living abroad.

Adike explained that she had previously secured a well-paying job in Dubai, earning about $5,000 monthly, which initially seemed like the ideal opportunity for a better life.

However, despite the financial benefits and career prospects, she said living alone in a foreign country gradually became emotionally exhausting.

According to her, the absence of family members and a close support system made daily life increasingly difficult, leading to feelings of isolation.

She noted that people who relocate abroad with relatives or friends often cope better with the transition, while those who move alone may struggle with loneliness. “Loneliness abroad is real” she said.

Adike said the emotional toll of isolation eventually pushed her to resign from her job and return to Nigeria, where she could reunite with her family.

“Loneliness was the major reason why I came back. I don’t know why it is not talked about that much,” she said.

She also urged people to be more open about the mental and emotional realities of living abroad, noting that social media often presents an overly glamorous picture of life outside the country.

“Loneliness abroad is crazy. Ask people living abroad, especially those who don’t have families there, if they are okay. People assume it is all rosy. Forget the blue skies and the Instagram pictures. People are really depressed,” she added.

Since the story surfaced online, many social media users have shared mixed reactions, with some expressing sympathy for her experience while others highlighted similar struggles faced by immigrants living far from home.

Others used the opportunity to discuss the mental health challenges of migration, emphasizing that financial success abroad does not always guarantee emotional well-being.

The story has renewed discussions about the realities of diaspora life and the importance of support systems for people pursuing opportunities outside their home countries.