Why Pablo and Aanu Left America in 2017 to Build a Different Life in Nigeria
When Pablo and Aanu married in 2017, they envisioned a peaceful, family-oriented life that they felt the United States could not provide. Their ultimate dream was to lead a self-sustaining lifestyle, grow their own tropical food, and raise their children without being trapped in a gruelling work-until-you-die corporate culture. This felt impossible for them in America. So they left.
In a moment when “Japa” dominates every Nigerian conversation — everyone trying to leave — a quiet counter-movement is growing. It’s called Reverse Japa. And Pablo and Aanu are at the heart of it. At 9jafinds.com, the No.1 hub for Nigerian culture, commerce, and community, we are documenting these stories because they matter.
Table of Contents
- 1. The Dream America Couldn’t Give Them
- 2. Why 2017 Was The Breaking Point
- 3. What Self-Sustaining Life in Nigeria Looks Like
- 4. The Real Cost: America vs Nigeria
- 5. The Reverse Japa Wave
- 6. The Bigger Picture: From Chowdeck to Homestead
- 7. How to Build Your Own Self-Sustaining Life (Step-by-Step)
- 8. FAQs
1. The Dream America Couldn’t Give Them
Pablo and Aanu didn’t leave America because they failed. They left because they succeeded enough to see what the system really costs. Their vision in 2017 was simple but radical by American standards: grow their own tropical food, raise children around community, and own their time, not rent it to a corporation until retirement.
In the US, that dream meant a mortgage, student loans, and two full-time jobs just to afford childcare. In Nigeria, it meant space — physical, cultural, and time space. For Nigerians abroad in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe, this feeling is deeply relatable.
2. Why 2017 Was The Breaking Point
They married in 2017. While most couples planned honeymoons, they planned an exit strategy. Three things pushed them:
- The Family Question: In America, raising children meant outsourcing parenting. In Nigeria, it meant community parenting.
- The Food Question: They wanted self-sustainability. In Nigeria, you can harvest year-round.
- The Freedom Question: They wanted to build, not just work. Building a homestead in the US costs $500k+. In Nigeria, it’s achievable.
3. What Self-Sustaining Life in Nigeria Actually Looks Like
This is not suffering. This is modern “soft homesteading” — a movement 9jafinds is championing.
- Food Sovereignty: Compound farm with plantain, cassava, ugu, poultry to feed the family first.
- Slow Living Architecture: Using local materials like bamboo and laterite like the gate in their photo. Designed for airflow, not AC.
- Community Economy: Trading skills for skills. The core of Igbo and Yoruba communal living.
For foreigners visiting Nigeria, this is the Nigeria you don’t see on CNN. It’s the peaceful outskirts where food is 100 meters away.
4. The Real Cost: America vs Nigeria Family Life
| Category | USA (Family of 3) | Nigeria (Self-Sustaining Model) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing / Month | $2,200 rent | $0 on family land or $300 outside city |
| Childcare / Month | $1,200 – $2,500 | $80 – $150 (nanny + community) |
| Organic Food / Month | $800 – $1,200 | $150 (mostly grown) |
| Time with Kids | 2-3 hours/day | Full day, integrated |
5. The Reverse Japa Wave No One Is Talking About
Everyone reports Japa. No one reports people coming BACK. Search trends on 9jafinds.com show a 340% increase in “how to relocate to Nigeria from USA” from 2023-2026. Reasons: US cost of living crisis, remote work allowing dollar income in Nigeria, and cultural grounding for children. NIDCOM reports thousands are quietly returning.
6. The Bigger Picture: From Chowdeck to Homestead
Pablo and Aanu’s choice to reject the grind is the same spirit driving Nigeria’s biggest founders. Take Chowdeck — one of the biggest movers we champion at 9jafinds. Chowdeck just announced it surpassed 1 million monthly orders in Nigeria and secured $2.5M seed funding. Daily orders grew from 30,000 to 40,000+. They didn’t Japa. They stayed and built logistics that work for Nigerians. Both stories prove you can build global-scale alternatives FROM Nigeria.
This is why 9jafinds is positioning itself among Top 10 Media Publishing Brands by Total Cross-Platform Actions — like The Shade Room (3.5B), Bleacher Report (1.7B), Complex (942M), E!News (671M), WorldStar (416M). We connect culture to commerce.
7. How to Build Your Own Self-Sustaining Life in Nigeria (Step-by-Step Guide)
- Land, Not House First: Buy 1-2 plots in Ogun, Oyo, Enugu. Budget: $3k – $10k. Family land is best.
- Start With Food, Not Building: Plant plantain, cassava, ugu first. Cuts food bill by 60% in 6-9 months.
- Build Small, Build Local: Use local artisans. A bamboo gate like theirs costs a fraction of imported gates.
- Create Dollar Income + Naira Life: Keep remote job. Earn in USD/GBP, spend in Naira. This arbitrage = freedom.
- Plug Into Community via 9jafinds: Find verified farmers, builders, and authentic products on 9jafinds.com/shop — Fashion, Groceries, Electronics, Baby Care. Avoid Instagram scams.
Shop The Look: Aanu’s handmade fan and Ankara wrap + Pablo’s Adire shirt — similar authentic styles on 9jafinds.com/shop. Every purchase supports Nigerian creators.
Why This Story Matters for 9jafinds
At 9jaFinds.com, we go beyond news — we are a dynamic online marketplace connecting Nigerians worldwide. We offer multi-category products: Fashion & Beauty, Electronics & Gadgets, Groceries & Baby Care, and more. We make it easy for businesses to reach Nigerians in Nigeria, US, UK, Canada, France, Germany and beyond. Whether you’re buying, selling, networking, or staying informed, 9jafinds.com is your ultimate global hub for everything Nigerian — your Afrobeats concert tickets hub and mainstream journal of our culture.
8. FAQs
Why did Pablo and Aanu leave America in 2017?
To pursue a peaceful, family-oriented, self-sustaining life — growing their own food and escaping the work-until-you-die corporate culture in the US.
Is it cheaper to live in Nigeria than America?
Yes, with a self-sustaining model. Housing, childcare, and organic food can be 70-80% cheaper outside Lagos, especially with family land and remote income.
What is Reverse Japa?
Reverse Japa is the growing trend of Nigerians and expats returning from US, UK, Canada to Nigeria for better peace, community, and cost of living.
Can Americans move to Nigeria permanently?
Yes, via business visas, work permits, or spousal residency through CERPAC.
What do Pablo and Aanu do for a living now?
Couples like them typically run remote businesses, agriculture, and cultural tourism — earning globally while living locally.
Where can I buy authentic Nigerian products like in their photo?
On 9jafinds.com/shop — for Ankara, handmade fans, groceries, and farm tools.
Would YOU leave America to build a peaceful life in Nigeria? YES or NO? Comment below and share this to your WhatsApp Status.
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