I Regretted Moving To America- Teju Babyface
Comedian and TV host Teju Oyelakin, popularly known as Teju Babyface, has shared his candid experience about relocating to the United States, describing it as a journey filled with unexpected challenges.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the comedian said many people mistakenly believe life automatically becomes easier when they move abroad. He explained that every environment comes with its own struggles, often unseen from afar.
We all tend to suffer from what I call the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ syndrome,” he said. “From where we stand, another place always looks better—greener, more promising. But we usually don’t see the challenges that come with it until we get there.”
Teju revealed that he initially regretted relocating, admitting that life in the U.S. was tougher than he anticipated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I lived in that place for years,” he said describing the hardship of finding his feet.
“America has its own unique set of difficulties,” he said. “When you add COVID to that, it was brutal. For about three years, I was convinced I’d made the biggest mistake of my life—that I had sh+t myself in the foot.”
Teju Babyface concluded by saying “it is normal,” encouraging Nigerians considering relocation to weigh their decisions carefully and cultivate patience, noting that fulfillment often comes from adapting and growing where one is planted, rather than constantly chasing greener pastures.
His words: “I Regretted Moving to America: Here’s What I Learned!”
“When we left Nigeria, I was sure — absolutely sure — that it was the right move. A necessary next step in my career and in our family’s journey. But when we got here, and the challenges began — then COVID hit — I started to wonder if I had made the biggest mistake of my life.”
“America has its own struggles, even in the best of times. Add a global pandemic to that, and suddenly the promised land started to feel like a wilderness. For three long years, I questioned everything. I felt disoriented, confused, and lost — like I had taken what I now call a ruinous risk.”
“But here’s what I learned: disorientation is part of the transition.”
Every major shift in life comes with a season of confusion — that in-between place where nothing makes sense. It doesn’t mean you missed God. It might just mean you’re moving from one mountain of life to another.
“If you’re in that place now, feeling like you’ve lost your way… it’s normal. You’re not failing. You’re transforming.”
