One day, I realized that all my evangelization of ”scaling across Africa” didn't sit well with people in other countries especially Ghana which I’ve made my home. Some saw scale as ”conquest.” I tried hard to explain the benefit but it seems my being Nigerian was an original sin.

Many are suspicious of the intentions of Nigerians. Even before I married my wife (who was born in Imo State, Nigeria) I was asked if I was going to take her away back to Nigeria? That was the first fear by my new family. I had to reassure them that I was never going back.

Not going back presented another problem. Not many people here welcome that. They want us to go back. I realized that most people from other countries in Africa who aren't Nigerians rarely settle in other African countries and know very little beyond stereotypes.

The ”Nigerian Stereotype” is one of the loud brash business person who will do ANYTHING to make money. Nothing could be further from the truth. I frequently remind people that Nigeria is NOT Lagos and we are a multiethnic country with every part of Africa represented here.

Many Nigerians who leave Nigerians for other countries do so to escape the brash and loud people or those with guns. A Nigerian who goes into another country in Africa instead of leaving Africa either genuinely loves Africa or is very poor as helpless. We are refugees in a way.

Refugees should be humble and we mostly are. The loud people you see, those are the visitors. No right-thinking Nigerian antagonizes people in their host country especially when they don't intend to return. The stealing your women part, see it as your women stealing Nigerian men.

We left the mouth of the shark to seek a new home. We are not the sharks, we left the shark back in Nigeria. We found new homes and we are grateful for your accommodation. If you also want to make money from Nigeria, hit us up. We are now your family.

What is ridiculous is that the white South African is welcomed universally across Africa but the black Nigerian is not. Pan Africanism my left butt cheek. We say things but act differently. Nigeria is more open for business than any other African country. Just mind the shark.

Someone mentioned to me yesterday that MTN’s troubles in Nigeria one from being South African owned. I told him that it was far from it. It is the politics against one of the local shareholders. People everywhere use nationalism to further a selfish agenda. Nigerians do it too.

Just mind the shark. Don't feed us back to it.