Shaffy Bello chooses Nigeria over America, saying the country is home as she encourages young people to build skills and pursue opportunities
Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has declared that she has no intention of relocating from Nigeria, saying the country remains home despite having lived abroad and received part of her training in the United States.
Bello made the remarks during a panel discussion while responding to a question about how young Nigerians could remain hopeful and build successful careers despite the challenges of pursuing opportunities in the country.
The actress encouraged young people to identify their strengths, acquire relevant skills and position themselves to take advantage of opportunities available to them.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Bello said her experiences in America had contributed to her development, but Nigeria had played a defining role in shaping who she had become.
“America trained me, but Nigeria made me. I pray I never get the opportunity, as they call it, to go back. But because of the opportunities that I’ve seen in this country, and I am still seeing, I don’t ever want to go back. This is home, this is where it is,” she said.
Her comments reflect her stated preference to remain in Nigeria rather than return to life abroad, with the actress pointing to the opportunities she believes the country continues to offer.
Beyond explaining her decision to stay, Bello urged young people to look inward, understand their abilities and consider what they could contribute to society.
She encouraged them to focus on developing their potential rather than losing hope because of the difficulties associated with building a career in Nigeria.
“Look within yourself, what do you have to offer? What is in your hands?” she asked.
The actress also stressed the importance of authenticity, saying that being truthful about oneself makes life easier than maintaining false impressions.
“For me to be here for so many years, first of all, I have to be authentic to who I am. If you lie, you keep having to remember the lies, if you tell the truth, it’s easy,” she said.
Her message centred on self-awareness, honesty and the need for young people to recognise what they can offer while preparing themselves for available opportunities.
Bello’s remarks place emphasis on her personal connection to Nigeria and the role the country has played in her life and career.
Although she acknowledged the influence of her time in America, she made clear that she regards Nigeria as home and does not wish to relocate.
Her comments also contribute to ongoing public conversations about migration, career opportunities and whether young Nigerians can build fulfilling lives and professional careers in their home country.
Rather than presenting her decision as a rule for everyone, Bello used her experience to encourage young people to assess their abilities, develop relevant skills and remain open to opportunities.
For the actress, her preference is clear: despite her experience abroad, she wants to continue living and pursuing opportunities in Nigeria.
