Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has argued that the cost of living in Nigeria remains more affordable than in many countries around the world, after revealing that shaving in London costs as much as £40.
Omokri made the remarks in a video shared on his official X account on Thursday during a conversation with a barber in London about living expenses in the United Kingdom.
According to him, many Nigerians wrongly assume that life abroad is automatically easier and more comfortable, whereas residents in countries like the UK spend significant amounts on rent, grooming, transportation and groceries.
He explained that he had earlier visited petrol stations and stores such as Sainsbury's to compare prices and demonstrate to Nigerians that the UK is far from the “heaven” many people imagine it to be.
During the discussion, the barber disclosed that shaving alone costs £40, while a haircut and shave together would cost £76.
Omokri also noted that renting a one-bedroom apartment in London could cost around £2,500 monthly. He added that individuals earning about £40,000 annually in the UK may not necessarily enjoy a better standard of living than Nigerians living back home.
The former presidential aide urged Nigerians to take pride in their country and promote it positively, similar to how Turkish citizens proudly represent their nation globally.
He further revealed that some people approached him because of the green-and-white outfit he wore and identified him as a Nigerian, which he said should encourage citizens to remain proud of their heritage.
Speaking in the video, Omokri said, “If I tell people in my country, Nigeria, because I showed them at gas stations the price of petrol, and I also went to Sainsbury’s, which is a middle-range shop, not like M&S or Ocado, and I showed them the prices of groceries, I just want them to understand that many people want to come here because they think this country is heaven.
“The cost of living in this country is very high. Very high. This is London. If you want a one-bedroom flat here, you’re looking at probably £2,500 monthly. So when you read in the papers that your friends here are making £40,000, they are not necessarily having a better standard of living than you back home.”
Captioning the video, Omokri wrote “It Costs £40 To Shave In London. A One Bedroom Flat Costs £2500 a Month. The Cost Of Living In Nigeria Is Way Better Than Many Parts Of The World!”
The video surfaced barely a day after Omokri highlighted the widening difference in petrol prices between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, noting that fuel prices in England had climbed to almost three times the amount paid in Nigeria.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he linked the increase in petrol prices to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
According to him “Petrol Is Now #3200 Per Litre In England. Almost Three Times What We Pay In Nigeria. Price Increases Are a Global Issue Caused By The Middle East Crisis.”
Elijah Adeyemi
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