How to Survive in Nigeria Despite Huge Economic and Security Concerns

Those who survive harsh and life-threatening conditions are not those with the will but rather people who understand how to, in addition to the willingness. Inasmuch as Nigeria is one interesting place to be, the unsettling and anti-human conditions are enough to deter anyone from visiting or even having the intentions of staying (citizen or not). However, this does not take away the huge opportunities this country has to offer as well as the proximity of brothers and sisters – which is a very good reason to cancel any thoughts of leaving the country. Having ruled out those thoughts, the quest for survival begins.

Presently, and over the years, it has become obvious that more and more Nigerians are being smoldered by the economic and security challenges faced by the country. It has got to the point that the faith of many has been shaken or dissolved, owing primarily to the aforementioned challenges. It has therefore become very essential for one to play one’s part in the fight against these, in the fight for survival. This article prescribes clues on how to survive despite the growing and dangerous tides of economic and security concerns.

How to survive economic concerns in Nigeria

1. Make wise financial decisions

With the knowledge of Nigeria’s present economic dissolution, it is important for you to make calculated financial decisions. It is those little and seemingly insignificant decisions you make today that determine where you stand economically tomorrow. To help you with this is a particular scale that you have heard and read about countless times. This scale measures your needs/wants in relation to preference or priority. Having this scribbled out daily or weekly, as the case may be, will help you make the right decisions every time. For one, the spirit behind impulse buying will lose authority over you because you’ve got it all planned out. I have good Intel that Yoruba women like to buy clothes a lot, well it will do more good if you cut back on that and invest some of that money. The future will be proud of you.

2. Value every nickel

Never look down on any denomination you have, it has a value, so value it. It is that value that keeps you in tune with the fact that what you are holding is not paper anyone could just pick up at any time. Now you may be wondering what kind of person does not value money, I’ll tell you. Those who spend carelessly don’t value money. How else would you justify someone who shortly after getting paid or gifted, hits the bar and drowns it all, or goes all out shopping, or even loses it to gambling? The only excuse such a person can escape with is that there is more than enough money in the bank. If you’re being paid meager sums for your services, learn to value and manage it until something better comes along. Don’t further undervalue the money by misspending it. Valuing every nickel is essential to your survival.

3. Save more, spend less

Not many people have the habit of saving money. But a very good number need no tutorial on how to spend or worse still, lavish money. Saving sets up a security for you, a security that no other resource can meet. If you have never tried it before, start now. There is this sense of security, completeness and assurance that comes when you know there is something to fall back on in case things go awry. So divorce the habit of using up your salary before the next one comes along, begin to ask yourself what if the next salary never comes or is delayed. Begin to prepare yourself for the future because things are already hard as it is. Or haven’t you seen how much the Naira goes for 1 Dollar? This affects business in many ways than you think, and downsizing cannot be excluded from potential fallouts.

How to survive security concerns

1. Avoid late night movements

It is widespread knowledge that more evil is perpetrated at night than in the day. Nevertheless, this has not deterred those involved from the norm; neither has it stopped people from taking the risks. If you are to survive the security concerns in Nigeria then by all means try as much as possible to avoid late night movements. To this effect, try to not get a job that is far away from your home. Getting home by 10 or 11pm is too late if you ask me, especially if you make use of public transportation.

2. Avoid security breached areas

These are areas that have been flagged as unsafe either by the government or the general populace. For one, I do not need to hear the government convince me to visit the north by telling me it is safe. I know the facts and I sure won’t. To survive you have to stay away from such places where conflicts are unresolved. Even within your state that seems peaceful there are areas notorious for kidnapping, stealing, etc, avoid those areas. Don’t be like my friends from Hollywood who always see the need to go and verify violence. Stay safe.

3. Always secure your dwelling

Make it a point of duty to secure your house every night and day. Don’t get used to not being robbed because that can make you assume that bad things no longer happen. They do. And perhaps those who do these bad things are simply waiting for a slip up to make their move. Don’t give them what they need to poke you where it hurts the most.

4. Examine commercial vehicles

I know it is difficult to tell fair from foul when it comes to commercial vehicles but it is still possible. When you get to the bus stop, look into the buses first before choosing which one to enter. Don’t make a move if you don’t agree with the way things look inside the bus. Time and again, reports of ritual killers using buses to get victims have pervaded our air waves, it is important you ‘shine your eyes’ well before boarding any bus. As they say, it is better to be safe than sorry.

5. Memorize security hot-lines

If I asked you the numbers of certain security agencies in Nigeria, would you be able to provide them off the top of your head? If you can’t, how serious are you to surviving security glitches? These agencies are not there for fancy, they are there to serve and to protect, but that cannot be done if they are not kept in the loop concerning any security challenge. Memorize them today and save yourself the familiar burst of regret encapsulated in the words “…had I known”.

With all of this intact, the only thing stopping you from doing better than surviving is you. This information will not just help you survive but thrive amidst the economic and security concerns in Nigeria.

Seize the day!

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