“I Spend More Here Than In The UK”- Nigerian Lady Shares Budget Woes

• A Nigerian lady, known as @melissa_oti on TikTok, has gained attention for discussing her experiences with Nigeria’s high cost of living.
• She recently returned from the UK and was surprised to find her expenses in Nigeria now exceed her previous spending abroad.
• Her story highlights the financial challenges faced by many Nigerians, particularly those who have lived abroad.

A Nigerian woman who recently returned from the UK has gone viral after opening up about the challenges of coping with Nigeria’s high cost of living.

Identified on TikTok as @melissa_oti, she expressed surprise that her expenses in Nigeria now surpass what she used to spend abroad.

Since moving back, she revealed that despite careful planning, her monthly budget often falls short. “I set a budget each month, but I keep going over it. Is it just me? Am I overspending, or is my budgeting off?” she said in the widely shared video.

A significant source of her financial strain comes from car expenses. She noted that while car repairs in the UK are typically covered by insurance, she has had to pay large amounts out-of-pocket in Nigeria. Other costs, like fixing a broken phone screen, have also contributed to her rising expenses.

Food has become another major strain on her budget. She shared that she now spends more on meals in Nigeria than she ever did in the UK. “I have been spending far more on food here than I did abroad,” she lamented.

Fuel costs have also added to her financial worries. Accustomed to the lifestyle and expenses abroad, adjusting to Nigeria’s rising prices has proven challenging. She even questioned how local residents manage their finances under the current economic conditions.

Reflecting on her spending, she noted that her expenses seem disproportionate compared to Nigeria’s minimum wage and wondered whether her lifestyle might be considered extravagant or if these high costs are simply unavoidable.

The video has since stirred conversation online, with many viewers weighing in with their perspectives.

See post below;

@melissa_oti

A lot of things don’t make sense anymore #japada

♬ original sound – Melissa