Teju Babyface

 Nigerian comedian and TV host, Teju Babyface, has opened up about a difficult phase in his life when he deeply regretted relocating to the United States with his family.

In a new video shared on his YouTube channel, Teju got candid about the emotional and mental struggles he faced after moving abroad, describing his experience as a wake-up call about the realities of life outside Nigeria.

According to him, he fell victim to what he called the “grass is greener” syndrome — the false belief that life automatically becomes easier or better in another country.

“The issue with life is that we almost suffer from ‘the grass is greener on the other side’ syndrome. When we’re standing in one position and looking at another place, it looks very green and appealing — but we don’t see the challenges of that side from where we are standing,” he explained.

Teju revealed that before leaving Nigeria, he was confident that moving abroad was the right decision for his career and family. However, reality hit hard after their relocation — especially when the COVID-19 pandemic struck just a few months later.

“When we were leaving Nigeria, I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was the necessary next step in my career evolution. But when we got here and the challenges started, especially when COVID began, I was convinced I had made the biggest mistake of my life,” he admitted.

The comedian said the tough experience left him emotionally shaken and forced him to rethink his expectations of the so-called American dream.

“America has its own unique challenges — tough ones. Then when you add COVID on top of that, ah! For about three years, I was convinced that I had made the biggest mistake of my life. That I had shot myself in the foot,” he said.

Teju also shared that the period of confusion and hardship helped him truly understand a classic King Sunny Ade lyric, which had always puzzled him.

“I had a phrase for it. I was convinced that I had taken a ruinous risk — the kind of risk that leads to ruin. Because I was completely lost and had no idea where my life was going. For the first time, I could understand what King Sunny Ade meant when he sang that song. I’d been singing it all my life but never understood the emotion behind it until then.”