Renowned comedian and actor Bovi has revealed his decision to move his family to the United Kingdom, citing concerns over the pervasive issue of bullying in Nigerian boarding schools.
During a recent appearance on the Uncolored podcast, which gained significant attention on Wednesday, Bovi shared that his children have been living in the UK for the past two years.
He explained that the move began with his eldest son, who relocated to the UK in 2021 to attend boarding school. The rest of the family later joined him.
“My kids don’t live in Nigeria anymore. They’ve been in the UK for two years now. It started by accident; my first son has been there since 2021 in a boarding house,” Bovi said.
Reflecting on his own experiences in a Nigerian boarding school, Bovi acknowledged that it taught him resilience and street-smart skill.
However, he chose not to subject his children to the same system due to what he described as a deeply entrenched culture of bullying.
“I went to boarding school in Nigeria, and it made me street-smart. But I decided my kids shouldn’t go through the same system because the educational environment has normalized bullying,” the 45-year-old explained.
Beyond the issue of bullying, Bovi also addressed the broader trend of mass migration from Nigeria, attributing it to the country’s lack of an enabling environment.
He highlighted the medical sector as a prime example, noting that many doctors are leaving due to poor working conditions and inadequate resources.
Bovi emphasized that migration is not solely driven by financial opportunities but also by the desire for dignity, better infrastructure, and a supportive work environment.
Comparing Nigeria’s conditions to those in the West, he pointed out that professionals abroad have access to superior resources and systems.
“The saving grace for Nigeria is that we haven’t faced war, food shortages, or natural disasters. We can lose 500 doctors in a year, but about 200 new doctors come on board. It’s like applying a band-aid to a deep wound. That’s why the situation hasn’t completely collapsed. If the government wants to address this issue, they need to learn from what the West is doing,” Bovi stated.
His comments shed light on the challenges faced by Nigerian families and professionals, underscoring the need for systemic improvements to curb the growing trend of migration.
