Ms DSF Urges Nigerians to Reconsider Moving Abroad, Says Life Overseas Isn’t Always Better

Dorcas Shola Fapson

Media personality Dorcas Shola Fapson, widely known as Ms DSF, has advised Nigerians earning comfortable incomes at home to think twice before relocating abroad for work, stressing that foreign jobs are often less glamorous or rewarding than they appear.

Speaking on a podcast with Jay On Air, she explained that many people assume relocating to the UK automatically guarantees higher earnings, but the reality is quite different. According to her, high living expenses — especially rent and transportation — can quickly consume whatever income one makes.

To illustrate her point, Ms DSF recounted her father’s early struggles overseas, noting that he worked multiple jobs just to support the family but still earned very little after expenses.

“People think you’re abroad and you’re making pounds. They could be abroad doing a cleaner job, making however much per hour. You probably have better opportunities here in Nigeria,” she said.

She continued by highlighting the financial pressure many migrants face: “Do you know how much rent is in the UK? Do you know how much public transport there is? Before you even make your salary, let’s say you’re doing cleaner work or driving a taxi.”

Sharing her father’s experience, she added, “When my dad first went, he was a taxi driver. Imagine what he was making while trying to take care of his whole family, me, my brother, all my siblings, and my mum. He was working 9 to 5, then 5 to 9… taxi driver, security, accountant, just to make a little money.”

Ms DSF acknowledged that earning pounds can be beneficial if one becomes established abroad, but stressed that the journey is often far more difficult than people realise. “I get it, like if you make it in the UK, it’s great because pounds are stronger and it’s nice to make pounds, but it’s not like that — you really have to hustle to build your way up,” she said.