A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Adedoyin Adeleke, has revealed what influenced his decision to leave Italy and return to Nigeria at a time when many Nigerian youths would give whatever it takes to be in the West.
The PhD holder, who had a job in Italy, said his return was to make Nigeria a greener pasture that attracts people from different countries.
Adeleke, speaking to Leadership, said he returned despite his family’s warnings with a mission to drive green growth and development across Africa.
“I returned to Nigeria without their knowledge in November 2023. Since then, I ensured no one connected to me by family was aware, except one of my aunties. My mum only got to know after I had been in the country for five months in April 2024.
“Europe, where I was, is certainly a ‘greener pasture’, but some people made Europe ‘green’ enough to attract our interest. But can’t we increase the fortune of Nigeria, to be ‘green’ enough for other nationals to compete to visit and relocate to Nigeria? This is the call I decided to heed,” he stated.
Over the years, Adeleke has made substantial contributions to development across 22 African countries from Europe.
Reflecting on his decision to return home, he remarked, “If I could do this by the side while I was in Europe studying, I can do more if I return. I often say ‘Africa is too rich to be poor, I choose to act’.”
“If Nigeria must be great, sacrifice, determination, and hope are essential among the citizenry, while the government and industrial stakeholders also need to step up their games.”
Adeleke runs a non-profit organisation, the Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network (Green Growth Africa), formerly known as the International Support Network for African Development (ISNAD-Africa), which he founded in 2017.
