Why is it that outsiders hate Nigeria? By Victor Dirikebamor

Let me tell you a personal story:

It is mandatory in Nigeria, for every fresh university graduate to serve the father land voluntarily for a year, in his or her area of expertise, in the national youth service corps (NYSC)… a paramilitary one year service to the nation, to bring about unity amongst Nigerians and to learn of cultures and traditions different from the one you were born into.

Graduates are made to preselecte 4 states mostly outside there geopolitical zone for this exercise. Since I was born and educated in the south (Bayelsa/Delta states) I had to select likely states in the north and western parts of the country.

Some time January 2017, I got a message on my phone, reminding me to be in the orientation camp sometime that same month, I felt afraid immediately, the time and date was not the issue here but the location was more important to I and my family, for it was Plateau state... A state I didn't even choose.

I was Posted to plateau state, the northcentral geopolitical zone. That is a dreadful zone for any Nigerian living outside the state, due to it's sporadic religious, farmers and herdsmen clashes and for the fact that it's a likely target to the barbaric terrorist group called boko haram.

My parents became so worried right from day one, my relatives were praying for me and encouraging me to pray for my life. Funny thing is, none of them have been to plateau state, all they know and have heard was either from the news or word of mouth.

Very funny, isn't it? …The danger of a single story!

Since it was compulsory, I had to go and even if you want to push your luck in changing the state assigned to you, it has to be after the orientation exercise which lasts not less than 3 weeks.

To cut the long story short, I finished my service in peace, and learned alot in the process. I was never robbed, I was never attacked. I was loved and treated with respect through out my time in Jos, the capital of plateau state. I was giving free accommodation. My passion for Karate started in Jos as I usually saw a of zealous Karatekas, and I was trained by a Muslim Shihan (professor in Japanese) and thankfully I have my black belt now.

The few friends I have are mostly from plateau state, they are passionate, lovely, honest and respectful people. I made my first million in Plateau State. I was able to travel to several northern states for my Karate activities all because I went to plateau state. I had uninterrupted power supply during my stay in Jos...which is definitely a dream come true for other parts of the country.

Back home, to my home state, I have been robbed three times on gun point. There are places I can't go to in the night due to petty theft and cult clashes,

Who no go no know

To answer your question:

Foreigners hate Nigeria because all they know about Nigeria is either word of mouth or something some frustrated scam victim wrote on the internet, or here on Quora. No doubt their are some really bad people here in Nigeria, just like any other country. And some Nigerians involve themselves in dishonourable deals in foreign countries same as people from other countries.

Is Nigeria a bad place or a good place? Are Nigerians to be loved or hated? You find your truth and hold on to it... Nigeria is exactly what you want it to be. If you come to Nigeria or interact with Nigerians with an open heart, for good intentions, you will surely meet good Nigerians.
 There some really tedious people on this planet but that doesn't make the earth a completely bad place.

If you hate Nigeria and Nigerians because of something you Heard or read here on the internet, I think it only reflect your trueimage as a person.

From Quora