‘I’m thankful I left US’, Man reveals how mother ‘forced’ him to move to Nigeria

A Nigerian man, Michael Sonariwo, has revealed that his mother relocated him from Atlanta, United States, to Nigeria against his wishes after he finished his sophomore year of high school. Born in Washington, D.C., Sonariwo moved to Atlanta at the age of three and spent much of his childhood there. His mother's decision to return to Nigeria with him and his two younger brothers came as a surprise, given his deep roots in the U.S. and the life he had built there. Sonariwo described the moment his mother informed him of their impending move. “One day after my sophomore year, my mom tells me, ‘Hey, I’m moving to Nigeria.’ And I look at her and I say, ‘Congratulations.’ She looks at me back and says, ‘No, we’re all going,’” he recalled. The transition proved difficult for him, as he had grown accustomed to life in Atlanta, attending public school and enjoying the familiar surroundings. Throughout the summer leading up to the move, Sonariwo resisted the idea of leaving. Relatives, friends, and members of the Nigerian community in Atlanta tried to convince his mother to let him stay. Even his pastor offered to take him in, but she refused. Eventually, Sonariwo relented after witnessing his mother become emotionally overwhelmed during a farewell sleepover with his friends. He promised her he would board the flight to Nigeria the following day. “Once I said I promise, my mom wiped her face, drove back home to Cobb County, packed our stuff, and I was on the Delta flight to Nigeria,” he said. During the flight to Lagos, Sonariwo reportedly cried throughout the journey, prompting a flight attendant to inquire if everything was alright. Upon arrival, his mother destroyed his American passport and enrolled him in a boarding school. Six months later, Sonariwo managed to escape the school and sought help at the U.S. Embassy, where he claimed he was being held against his will. Embassy officials offered him a flight back to the United States, but he declined due to fears of being disowned by his family. Instead, he stayed in Nigeria, living with his grandmother for approximately two years while his mother adjusted to life in the country. Sonariwo faced significant cultural challenges in Nigeria, particularly after enrolling at the Supreme Education Foundation (SEF) in Magodo, Lagos. He was often referred to as the “Yankee boy” by classmates due to his strong American accent. On his first day, he struggled to understand certain disciplinary practices, such as being ordered to kneel. These differences culminated in a confrontation with a teacher, resulting in him being caned. Reflecting on his experiences, Sonariwo acknowledged that the ordeal helped him adapt to life in Nigeria and appreciate the importance of parental preparation for major cultural transitions. He advised parents considering sending their children abroad to Nigerian schools, especially boarding schools, to engage in open discussions about the cultural differences they might encounter. “Make sure you are involved in your children’s life even if you send them to secondary school, especially boarding school, because there are a lot of cultural differences they have to understand,” he said. Although he initially resented the move, Sonariwo now expresses gratitude towards his mother for making the decision. He believes his life could have taken a different path had he remained in Atlanta. After completing his undergraduate and master’s degrees in London, he credits his unique upbringing between the United States and Nigeria for shaping his current trajectory.