Local2Global with Ada Africa - My Naira Crunch Story: For the 1st Time I Cursed Nigeria

With the death of my dad in Jan. 2023, I stayed in the village and got so engrossed with renovation work and other burial preparation that I forgot my trip to the US. Two days to my flight to the US, I rushed back to the city and bundled everything inside my bag and headed to Lagos.

I arrived in Lagos on Sunday and at night, I unbundled my bag and I discovered I forgot a few vital items but the most essential one was my two USD debit cards. I called my sister to check them so it could be sent with the first bus from Asaba on Monday. She searched and couldn’t find them.

I settled my mind to go to the bank the following morning and get a new dollar card. I can’t embark on the trip without a card or cash as I would be stranded right from the airport on arrival.

The first bank I went to did not open for business. I enquired from the security and he directed me to another nearby branch. I trekked to the branch, same story. I picked a Bolt (hailing taxi like Uber) to the third branch, I was told there was no network.

I got confused and started making calls to know why the banks in Lagos do not open for business. I was told it was due to the attack on some banks in the past weeks because of the naira crunch so fear caught most banks to open. The relation I called after explaining to him my ordeal directed me to go to Island, that corporate banks will be able to deal with such dollar issues fast.

The entire cash I have as a human being was N600 only so I resorted to using Bold so they can deduct money from my card. All the rides I ordered to take me to the Island asked me to cancel the ride. I was cancelling quickly and ordering a new ride. I was shocked after the 4th ride was cancelled. I was barred from ordering a ride. REASON: because I have cancelled numerous times.

I was walking on Lagos Street confused, thinking of what to do next. Yeah! N600 can take me to the Island. Let me get there first, and worry less of how I would come back. I boarded the public transport and spent N500 to land at the bank’s headquarters.

The security informed me that the headquarters was recently moved to another location. They gave me a description of how to get there and the cost. Involuntarily, tears rolled down as I had only N100 with me and I couldn't book a ride. I asked if I could trek it, NO was the answer.

I walked away and started entering any branch of the bank I sighted. The first one refused to grant me access to enter. Many customers were waiting too. I explained to the security guard my ordeal. He went inside and came back with the feedback that the debit card was unavailable.

I continued with my ‘hiking’, it was the same story for the next two branches I got to. I was exhausted, it was past 2pm and I haven’t had breakfast. My priority was to get the card before any other activity for the day. The next branch I saw, I explained to the security officer my ordeal, he said he didn't understand what I was saying, and rather I should go in and explain myself to the Manager. He directed me where I will meet the manager.

As I strolled inside the bank, the Manager, a fair young lady first sighted me and started commenting on my fashion attire and the one I have on my head and next, tears rolled down from my eyes. She was shocked and ran to get a seat for me. She took her time to calm me down, gave me a napkin/serviette to dry my tears and beckoned me to talk to her.

After she listened to me, she assured me I will get a new card in less than 40mins and it happened. I thought I had conquered and done for the day. Didn’t know another hassle was awaiting.

I went to the bank ATM to confirm the card was working, all the ATMs were not working. I went to two other banks, none were working. I started slogging again looking for banks where the ATM works. The sun was too much for me to bear but because I do not want to get stranded on landing in New York, I struggled to continue the search. Finally, I found an ATM that worked and confirmed the card work.

Time to go back to the mainland, how do I go back? I have only N100 left with me. I checked the Bold app, I was still barred from booking a ride. I asked for directions to the mainland, I was shown and so Ada Africa started trekking from Island to mainland under the scorching sun.

I was completely exhausted and worn out. Buses to Yaba kept passing by but I couldn't board, no shishi with me. I picked courage to board one knowing I don’t have the N300 bus fare. Time to pay, I asked the conductor if he could collect transfer. The conductor looked at me and started raining curses on me. I didn’t say a word, rather collected all the insults with prayers.

We got to the final bus stop, I pleaded with the conductor to take the N100 I had. He collected it without a word. I was happy and said a word of prayer for him. To get to my hotel, I had to trek from Yaba to NRC headquarters and the sunshine was horrible. It was on it I discovered one market where ndị mmụọ sell and package Igbo foodstuffs for travelers. (I will tell the story in another write-up). I was staggering on the road, not even a dime to buy water to drink. I was no longer myself.

Meanwhile I was on the phone with a relation I called earlier in the morning to get me food, water etc to the hotel. I staggered and arrived at the hotel and went straight to soak myself in the bathroom. Out from the bathroom, I delved into the food and drink. It was night already, no strength to pack my bag for the trip the next day. I went to sleep.

The next morning, due to the prolonged trekking I did, my legs were aching. The relation gave me little cash, so I bought other things I forgot and dashed to the airport. I boarded and sat on my seat inside the aircraft and with the body pains, for the first time in my life, I cursed and cursed the country called Nigeria. And right there made plans not to come back to Nigeria but the Africa in me won’t let me do that.

Every week while in the US, I will call Nigeria to know whether the naira crunch is still on. I vowed never to return until it is over. It was a nightmare experience.

What is your naira crunch story?

Ada Africa

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