Judith Okoli, a Nigerian nurse, has drawn significant public attention after leaving her nursing job in the United States to return to Nigeria, citing a desire for a more meaningful and peaceful life.
In a candid video shared online, Okoli explained that her decision followed a long period of introspection.
Her story stands out at a time when many Nigerians are pursuing opportunities abroad, making her choice both bold and unusual.
“People keep asking, ‘Why leave America? Are you mad? You want to suffer in Nigeria?’” she said in Pidgin English. “But money is not everything — at least not to everyone. Not to me.”
She emphasized that material wealth in the West often comes at the expense of peace, family, and human connection.
According to her, true wealth lies in a life that offers happiness, sleep, time with loved ones, and mental peace.
Okoli also highlighted the negative impact of migration on African families, lamenting how economic pursuits have led to fragmented homes and emotional disconnection across continents.
Her decision has sparked widespread debate on the true cost of success and what it means to live a fulfilled life.
