Man disowns Nigeria over naira-dollar crisis, considers Somalia, Ghana citizenship

After losing tons of money owing to the poor performance of the naira, a Nigerian businessman says he’s looking for another citizenship.

And he won’t mind opting for Ghana ahead of Nigeria – the country of his birth, the giant of Africa. Even Somalia is not off limits, Olayiwola Idowu says.

Here’s what Idowu posted to Facebook on Monday:

NewsroomNG chatted him up on why he would consider renouncing his citizenship. He said the following:

Why do you want to disown Nigeria?

N400 to $1…they are trying to say that 400 people in Nigeria are equivalent to 1 person in America in terms of value.

How’s the exchange rate affecting you? Any recent experience?

I run a web hosting and domain name registration. Renewal costs are now skyrocketing. We host in the United States. We’re losing money.

How much do you think you’ve lost since the naira started its recent free fall?

I can’t put that kind of estimate out there. Just say it’s in thousands. Not millions yet.

Of dollars? Naira?

Naira.

Are you based in Nigeria of in the US?

Nigeria.

What options do you have if the naira doesn’t improve?

I’ll have to change my business. I could start selling pure (sachet) water or go into agriculture. I could also start selling fuel or food. Maybe I could get a job with a competitor or similar business. I can’t guarantee that the exchange rate won’t catch up with me there. It will just take the direct responsibility away from me and place it on another person.

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So that’s why you want to renounce your citizenship?

Aside these economic reasons, I want to renounce my citizenship because many Nigerians are just ignorant and misinformed. You just follow the comments on my post. You’ll see reasons I just got to go.

So where will you go now?

I’m still thinking…probably Ghana first, then other countries.

Are you really serious about this? Or are you just kidding (about disowning Nigeria)?

I am serious.

Now, let’s go through the comments on Idowu’s Facebook post. Is this a joke?

.