Why we left America for Nigeria with five children — US professor, wife

Pablo Segun, a US professor, and his wife Aanu, relocated to Nigeria with their five children due to their desire for a sustainable life and a healthier environment for their children. Both were born and raised in the United States, with Pablo having studied in Spain and becoming a professor of Spanish-language linguistics. Aanu's family hails from Nigeria, where they eventually decided to settle after experiencing life in Uganda.

The couple met at a university social gathering, where Pablo, shy and initially hesitant, eventually struck up a conversation with Aanu. They married within a year and soon after, had their first child. Despite initial fears about moving away from America, Pablo saw the move as an opportunity for a better life. He points out that both American and African cultures share some similarities, such as a laid-back attitude towards time and an openness to new experiences.

Pablo's fluency in Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria, was developed through living in Nigeria, which has allowed him and Aanu to feel more at home in their new environment.