Stealth T-male in Nigeria

 Nigeria, like many parts of the world, is often viewed through a lens that captures only the surface—its vibrant culture, its energetic cities, its vast potential. But to truly understand Nigeria, to really grasp what life is like here, you have to be present, to live in it, and to feel the challenges that people face every day. It’s a reality that can’t be fully appreciated from the outside looking in, no matter how much information or media coverage you consume. There’s an entire side of life here that many may never comprehend until they’ve walked in these shoes.

Personally, I didn't grow up within the usual social circles, and I had no foundational networks or long-standing connections to fall back on. This means that every relationship I build today is new, and every interaction starts from scratch. People are learning to trust me for the man I am now, not for who I was, because, honestly, they never knew me before. The networks I am trying to establish have to be nurtured from the ground up, and that comes with its own set of challenges. These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that there aren’t easy or readily available tools lying around that would make this process more straightforward.

Yes, some individuals are blessed with more resources and opportunities than others. But that doesn’t mean that those who lack these resources are any less determined or any less serious about their goals. It's important to understand that circumstances don’t always reflect effort. The reality on the ground in Nigeria is much more complex and nuanced than that. The struggles people face here are not due to a lack of ambition or drive—they are due to systemic issues, environmental challenges, and the often overwhelming pressure of living in a place where basic needs are sometimes inaccessible.

For example, imagine living in a place where electricity isn't guaranteed. Sometimes, power is out for days, weeks, or even months. Some areas go years without reliable electricity. In situations like this, something as basic as having consistent access to light becomes a luxury. The lack of electricity affects everything—work, education, communication, and even simple day-to-day tasks. It's a challenge that many people have to work around daily. Water, too, isn’t always readily available. Some communities have to buy water just to get by. It’s hard to focus on growth and productivity when the basics of life are a struggle.

The issue of poor governance isn't new, and while it’s true that people are speaking out, trying to make changes, the problem runs deeper than that. There is a fundamental lack of love and care in how the country is being run. The pressure of this lack is felt everywhere. It affects how resources are distributed, how opportunities are created, and how systems function. It's not that people aren’t talking; it’s that the voices demanding change are often overshadowed by the immense weight of this lack of love and compassion in governance. And without being honest about this situation, I can't pretend that I don’t need help. The reality is that I, like many others here, need support to continue moving forward.

It's ironic when I see teenagers here, some of whom don’t even know how to use a phone for anything more than playing games, yet they have phones. Meanwhile, I, who rely on a smartphone for work and productivity, find myself struggling because the tools I once had were stolen. I had two smartphones, both crucial for my work. But as circumstances would have it, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and they were taken from me. Now, I find myself in a difficult position, trying to rebuild and regain the tools I need to continue being productive.

Without those phones, it has become increasingly difficult to come online and complete the work I need to do. I’ve been doing free work to promote publicity and help others, but it's hard to do that when I can’t even get online consistently. Every time I need to work or communicate, I have to find a way to access the internet, which isn’t always easy or convenient. Not having a phone to go online at will has been a significant barrier to my productivity, but I am still pushing forward as best as I can.

In the meantime, I focus on what I can control—my personal growth. One thing I can do without any external tools is working out, so I put everything I have into it. It helps me grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a way for me to stay strong and focused amidst the chaos. My workouts have become a source of stillness and strength, a place where I can continue to grow even when everything else feels like it's at a standstill.

I understand that it's easy for those outside of Nigeria, or even those within more privileged circles, to assume that I’m not doing enough. It’s natural to think that maybe I could push harder or find more ways to get things done. But let me be clear: I am doing the best that I can, given the circumstances I’m in. I am putting in the work, the effort, and the energy, but the reality of my environment limits what I can do. The challenges here are real, and they are constant. It’s not a matter of not wanting to do more; it’s a matter of not having the resources to do more.

Believe me when I say, you don’t want to be in shoes like these. It’s not easy to explain the daily struggles that come with living in a place where the most basic necessities are not guaranteed. But I’m not here to complain or to make excuses. I’m here to share my reality and to express the fact that I am doing everything within my power to succeed. If you’ve never lived through these challenges, it’s hard to fully comprehend the toll they take. But know this: every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. Every effort made, no matter how limited, is a testament to resilience.

I don't want pity, and I don’t want to be misunderstood. What I want is to continue growing, to continue striving, and to continue doing my best in this environment. I am grateful for every bit of strength I’ve gained through this process, and I know that I will come out stronger in the end. But in the meantime, I am asking for the tools that will allow me to take that next step. With the right resources—something as simple as a phone or consistent internet access—I know that I can continue to build and contribute in meaningful ways.

So, while it may seem like I am not doing enough from the outside, know that from where I stand, I am giving everything I have. And I will keep pushing forward, regardless of the obstacles.