Judith Okoli, a Nigerian nurse, has shocked many by leaving her nursing career in the United States and moving back to Nigeria, seeking a life that’s not defined by wealth, but by peace and fulfillment.
In a heartfelt video shared online, Okoli responded to the many questions she’s received since making the bold move: “Everyone is asking me, ‘Why did you leave America? Are you okay? You want to suffer in Nigeria?’” she said in Pidgin English. “But I hope you know that money is not everything — at least, to some people. At least, to me.”
Okoli’s decision wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment choice. It came after much reflection on the fact that money, while important, doesn’t guarantee happiness or quality of life. “Someone can make N100 but be miserable — insulted at work, restless, disconnected from life. Then another person makes just N50, but they are happy, they spend quality time with their family, they sleep well, they enjoy peace of mind. For me, it’s about quality of life.”
She went on to highlight how the pursuit of wealth in the West often leads people to lose touch with the things that truly matter — community, family, and a sense of belonging. “Look at what the Western world is doing to us,” she said. “Families are scattered. One child is in Germany, another in Canada, another in Dubai. Six siblings haven’t seen each other in three years — all in the name of seeking a better life, but forgetting about the quality of life.”
