Why Pablo and Aanu Left America to Build a Different Life in Nigeria

The common narrative today often centres around Nigerians relocating abroad in search of better lives. It’s rare to hear stories about Nigerians moving back to Nigeria, let alone non-Nigerians choosing to return. However, 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.

In 2023, they decided to move to Uganda. While Uganda initially offered them the peace they needed to heal, it soon became evident that it wasn’t their forever home. They faced challenges with their investments, their land was not ready, and they realised that as a Nigerian-American family, they would always be seen as outsiders, navigating complicated visa processes just to remain in the country.

In 2025, they moved to Nigeria. In this conversation, they talked to us about their previous life, what it looked like, their experience in Uganda and what living in Nigeria has been for them as a family of seven.

Pablo and Aanu in the United States

Before Nigeria became home again, what did life look like for you and your family?

We were living in the American Midwest, where Pablo worked as a university professor, and we had purchased a cosy home in the countryside. Around that time, Anu made the decision to leave her career in healthcare to become a full-time stay-at-home mother. By the time we decided to leave the United States, our family had grown to include four beautiful children—two girls and two boys.

Even though we were physically in America, our home was a vibrant microcosm of our…