Living in Nigeria as a Korean

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nnenna Ukandu 

Photo = Nnenna Ukandu

Lee Dongwook has been living in Nigeria for many years now. He recently sat down with Korea.net to share some of his experiences about what it’s like to live in Nigeria as a Korean.

Where are you currently living in Nigeria? 

I’m currently living in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Where were you born? 

I was born in Korea.

Why did you choose Nigeria? 

My father signed a contract with a Nigerian, so I am here for work.

How long have you been in Nigeria? 

I have been in Nigeria for seven years.

How long do you plan to remain in Nigeria? 

I will stay in Nigeria as long as possible.

Do you ever get home sick? 

From time to time, I get home sick, especially when I am sick.

How is the cost of living like here in Nigeria compared to Korea? 

The cost of living is high in Nigeria, but the cost of living in Korea is higher.

What do you think about the locals?

I like Nigerians because they are open-minded and friendly, but most Nigerians don’t keep to their promise so it's very difficult to work together. 

What are the things you miss most about living outside your country?

Most of the time, I miss Korean food and my friends.

Are there restaurants where you can eat Korean food?

There are no Korean restaurants in Abuja and I really want to open one.

How do you purchase Korean ingredients? 

I either get them through the mail or from other Koreans.

What are the challenges you face living in Nigeria? 

The currency, the naira, currently crashed and there's a high cost to immigration.

What do you have to say about Korean and Nigerian cultures? 

Sometimes they are very similar and very different.

What can you say about Korean and Nigerian drinking and dining etiquette? 

When they meet friends, Nigerians sometimes fail to show up on time. Dining etiquette is similar in both countries, but Koreans usually don't eat until their elder begins to eat.

Do you have tips for our readers about Nigeria?

When we see things that happen in Nigeria, we should not judge them based on our opinions, because everything that happens has a reason. So let’s try to understand Nigerians with goodwill.

wisdom117@korea.kr