A Nigerian national who relocated to India in 2021 has attracted significant attention online after outlining reasons why he would not consider returning to live in Western countries.
Pascal Olaleye, who left the University of Lagos in 2021 before moving to India the same year, shared a video on Instagram titled "Why I’m NEVER Moving Back to the West After Living in India". In the post, he listed ten factors that, in his view, made life in India more fulfilling and free from the pressures he had previously faced abroad.
In the video, which quickly went viral, Olaleye explained that his time in India had allowed him to live without the constant anxiety and judgement he experienced elsewhere. “I don’t wake up with anxiety here, I actually feel peace,” he said. He emphasised that he was not perceived as a threat because of his skin colour, adding: “I’m not treated like a threat just because of my skin colour.”
He described life in India as less complicated, free of the competitiveness and pretence he had observed in the West. “Life is simple. No flex culture, no fake hustle,” he stated.
On gender expression, Olaleye said he felt more comfortable being himself: “I can be masculine without being labelled ‘toxic’.” He further pointed out that Indian society appeared direct in communication. “People are blunt but it’s honest, not fake nice,” he remarked.
Another aspect he stressed was the absence of constant reminders about his race. “I’m not constantly reminded I’m Black, it’s not my entire identity,” he said.
He added that he felt safer in India than in Western countries. “I feel safer walking the streets at night here than I did in the US,” he noted. Alongside this, he mentioned the affordability of daily life: “Rent is cheap. Food is natural. Life is less stressful.”
For Olaleye, India represented an environment where he experienced genuine personal liberty. “There’s a sense of real freedom, not the kind sold on paper,” he said. He concluded by stating: “Most importantly, I feel respected for who I am, not what I look like.”
The video, which had received more than two million views at the time of writing, prompted widespread discussion and drew hundreds of responses. Many viewers supported his assessment of life in India.
One user wrote: “We don’t discriminate people on colour… you are most welcome here.” Another commented: “Watching you, I miss my country even more, specially the varieties of food and definitely the festivities.”
Some responses reflected contrasting experiences, with one viewer saying: “Really glad to hear this. I have heard horror stories from some of my Nigerian friends in Delhi and Pune.” Another comment read: “Once you go Indian, there’s no going back. Your stay is welcome here, brother.”
In a separate video, Olaleye said that throughout his time in India, no one had ever asked him to return to Nigeria, whereas in Western countries he frequently encountered such remarks.
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