Journey Back Home

About Journey Back Home

Journey Back Home is your passport to authentic African experiences, where we share honest stories, practical advice, and real inspiration to help you navigate the journey back home. Whether you’re moving back from the diaspora, curious about starting fresh on the continent, or simply looking to connect with stories of resilience and possibility, this podcast is for you. Each episode dives into personal journeys, cultural insights, and the challenges and wins of building life, business, and community back home. Expect engaging conversations with returnees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, as well as practical tips on moving, finances, lifestyle, and finding your place again. This is more than a podcast it’s a growing community for Africans at home and abroad, united by the dream of building a life rooted in heritage and hope. 🌍 Honest conversations. ✨ Practical advice. 🎙️ Stories that inspire. Subscribe now and be part of the journey back home. Follow us: @journeybackhomepodcast

Publisher

Bukky Oh & Jamila Zuriya

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Aug 2025

Latest episode

18 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Oct 2026

   Would You Still Choose Nigeria?

   If you had the option to leave today, would you stay? In the Season 2 finale of Journey Back Home, we get into patriotism vs practicality, the guilt of leaving vs the responsibility you have to yourself, and the pressure from family vs your own ambition. We also talk about passport privilege, visa inequality, and how returnee privilege shapes who really gets to choose Nigeria. A raw, honest close to a season about life, identity and building in Nigeria. Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

2. 

   11 Oct 2026

   Building Wealth in Africa

   What does building wealth in Nigeria actually look like? In this episode of Journey Back Home, we talk about why wealth here is rarely just financial, why there’s barely a middle class, and why more Nigerians than ever are turning to entrepreneurship. We get into the difference between looking rich and actually being wealthy, why land is often the real wealth signal, and how the Tony Elumelu Foundation is creating funding and pathways for entrepreneurs. Income pays bills. Ownership builds legacy. Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.

3. 

   3 Oct 2026

   The Return Economy

   Why are so many Africans moving home, and what are they building when they get here? This episode explores the industries growing from returnee energy, fashion, beauty, food and asks whether coming home is emotional, strategic, or both. We also dig into the stats behind the diaspora's growing economic footprint across the continent, from remittances to startup funding. Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

4. 

   26 Sept 2026

   The Reality of Earning Naira

   Is earning in naira actually enough to live well in Nigeria today? In this episode of Journey Back Home, we get into the real financial anxiety of returnee life — inflation that never slows down, the naira vs dollar dilemma, and why "cheap" is relative once you factor in an imported lifestyle. We talk about the pressure to always earn more, the psychology of watching your money lose value, and the honest answer to a question every returnee eventually asks: can you actually live well here, or are you just surviving? Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

5. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Nigeria Is Not a Real Place

   What's it really like moving back to Nigeria? In this episode of Journey Back Home, we unpack the everyday culture shock of life in Lagos, the pace, the cost of living, the infrastructure gaps and what's actually changing for the better. As two Nigerian diaspora returnees, we also talk about how our shopping habits have shifted since relocating, and the local alternatives that now beat anything imported. If you're a returnee, thinking about japa reversed, or just curious what reverse migration to Nigeria actually looks like, this episode is for you. Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

6. 

   12 Sept 2026

   Where are we now

   Season 2 kicks off with a candid catch-up between two returnees at very different stages, one 10 months in, one 10 years in. We talk jobs, relationships, and the mental and emotional weight of adjusting, then go rapid-fire on the best and worst parts of living in Nigeria, plus what to prepare before you move. If you've ever wondered what life actually looks like on the other side of "japa reversed," this one's for you. Follow us on Instagram @journeybackhomepodcast for more. If this resonated, comment your thoughts, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

7. 

   5 Oct 2025

   The people chapter, love, friendship and finding your tribe

   The People Chapter love, friendship and finding your tribe — OUT NOW! ❤️ The final episode of Journey Back Home is here, all about love, friendship, and finding your tribe when you move back. Thank you for coming on this journey with us — every listen, share, and message has meant the world. 💛 Stream Episode 6 now, let’s close this chapter together.

8. 

   28 Sept 2025

   The Culture Shocks Nobody Talks About

   Episode 5: The Culture Shocks Nobody Talks About Nobody warned us about THIS part of moving back 😅 In Episode 5 of Journey Back Home, we dive into the culture shocks nobody talks about, from the small everyday surprises to the big identity shifts that come with relocating back to Africa. If you’re planning your move, already back, or just curious about the real “returnee” experience, this episode will have you nodding, laughing, and maybe even rethinking what it means to call somewhere home. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation, because wherever you are on your path, you’re not alone. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. 📲 Catch up on previous episodes 🌍 Follow us on Instagram: [@journeybackhome] #JourneyBackHome #CultureShock #AfricanDiaspora #MovingBackToAfrica #ReturneeLife #LifeInNigeria

9. 

   21 Sept 2025

   Navigating Careers and Creating Opportunities

   Episode 4: Navigating Careers and Creating Opportunities 🎙️ In this episode of Journey Back Home, we dive into one of the biggest challenges returnees face: work and career opportunities in Nigeria. From traditional jobs to freelancing and entrepreneurship, we share what it really looks like to build a career here. You’ll hear us talk about: • Why we’d recommend securing a remote job before moving back • The reality: in Nigeria, who you know often matters more than what you know • Salary differences between Nigerian companies and international employers • Adjusting expectations: the kinds of jobs you may find yourself doing compared to the UK • The scale of opportunities created by Nigeria’s population and demand for services • Navigating labour laws, permits, business registration, and the challenges of hiring talent • The gaps in soft skills and what that means for building teams • The mental toll: imposter syndrome, pressure to succeed, and embracing Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit 💡 Takeaway: Come prepared, stay flexible, and remember — success in Nigeria looks different, and that’s not a bad thing. ✨ Haven’t listened to the earlier episodes? Catch up on Episodes 1–3 now to follow the full journey before diving into this one.

10. 

    13 Sept 2025

    Bills, Bills, Bills

    Finding a home in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. It takes patience, persistence, and plenty of lessons learned along the way. In this episode of Journey Back Home we dive into what it really takes to secure a place to live when moving back. We share our personal journeys of house hunting and why Abuja and Lagos became our chosen cities. Bukky breaks down the realities of the real estate market including pricing, agents, hidden costs, and the scams you should watch out for. We also touch on modern options like shared apartments and the debate between serviced apartments and self-service living. From practical tips such as why you need mosquito nets to a ready-to-use checklist of questions to ask when house hunting, this episode is your guide to navigating the chaos with confidence. Your first home does not have to be your forever home. It just needs to give you space to land, breathe, and figure out the rest.

11. 

    5 Sept 2025

    Keys, Chaos & Finding a Home

    Episode 2: Keys, Chaos & Finding a Home Finding a home in Nigeria is not for the faint of heart. It’s a mix of patience, persistence, and plenty of lessons learned along the way. In this episode of Journey Back Home we dive into what it really takes to secure a place to live when moving back. We share our personal journeys of house hunting and why Abuja and Lagos became our chosen cities. Bukky breaks down the realities of the real estate market including pricing, agents, hidden costs, and the scams you should watch out for. We also touch on modern options like shared apartments through platforms such as Muster and Spleet, and the debate between serviced apartments versus self-service living. From practical tips such as why you need mosquito nets to a ready-to-use checklist of questions to ask when house hunting, this episode is your guide to navigating the chaos with confidence. Your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home. It just needs to give you space to land, breathe, and figure out the rest.

12. 

    31 Aug 2025

    The Girls Behind the Voices

    Episode 1: The Girls Behind the Voices Welcome to the very first episode of Journey Back Home! 🎙️✨ In this kickoff conversation, we (the girls behind the voices) set the tone for what this podcast is all about: honest stories, practical advice, and real inspiration for anyone considering the move back to Africa. We open up about our own “journey back home” from the emotional highs and lows, to the cultural surprises, to the logistical challenges no one really prepares you for. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s exactly the kind of safe space we want to create here. You’ll hear: What Journey Back Home is about → a space for authentic African experiences and unfiltered conversations. Who it’s for → returnees, diaspora Africans, dreamers, and anyone curious about what life on the continent really looks like. Why it matters → because moving back isn’t just about a flight ticket — it’s about identity, resilience, and redefining home. We’ll also share what you can expect from us every week: engaging guests, unfiltered advice, and an open space to ask the questions you’ve been holding onto. And if you’re thinking about your own move? Here’s our advice: 💡 Start planning now, but be ready for detours. 💡 Save more than you think you’ll need. 💡 Research everything, then be flexible when reality doesn’t match the plan. 💡 Most importantly: be patient with yourself. This journey will challenge everything you thought you knew about home, identity, and success and that’s not a bug, that’s a feature. We’re here for all of it: the wins, the breakdowns, and everything in between. Welcome to Journey Back Home — we’re so glad you’re here for the ride. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and let us know what you think. And remember… wherever you are on your path, you’re not alone. 🌍

13. 

    19 Aug 2025

    Journey Back Home Intro

    Journey Back Home is your passport to authentic African experiences, where we share honest stories, practical advice, and real inspiration to help you navigate the return journey to Africa. Whether you’re moving back from the diaspora, curious about starting fresh on the continent, or simply looking to connect with stories of resilience and possibility, this podcast is for you. Each episode dives into personal journeys, cultural insights, and the challenges and wins of building life, business, and community back home. Expect engaging conversations with returnees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, as well as practical tips on moving, finances, lifestyle, and finding your place again. This is more than a podcast, it’s a growing community for Africans at home and abroad, united by the dream of building a life rooted in heritage and hope. 🌍 Honest conversations. ✨ Practical advice. 🎙️ Stories that inspire. Subscribe now and be part of the journey back home.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings