Nigerian in Lithuania: Learning the Language, Facing Racism and Missing Africa
Nigerian software developer Olugbenga Adewuyi has lived in Lithuania for seven years, reaching A2 Lithuanian and obtaining permanent residency. In an interview with LRT, he discusses language difficulties, the search for housing and hostile online comments.
Olugbenga Adewuyi, a Nigerian software developer, has lived in Lithuania for seven years. In an interview with the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, he said that although the language is a major challenge, integration is also complicated by racism faced by people with a different skin colour. His account shows what non-European immigrants can encounter in Lithuanian society.
Arrival in Kaunas
Adewuyi came to Kaunas in October 2019 as part of an EU project for IT specialists. He wanted to try something new, and many of his colleagues had found jobs in various European countries. His first surprise was the weather: on the day he arrived it was only 4C, while in Nigeria the temperature rarely falls below 20C. Today he is satisfied with his standard of living, saying IT specialists are paid well, and he holds a permanent residence permit. Even so, he is seriously considering spending part of his time in Africa, because in Lithuania he always stands out from the crowd.
Language and culture
Adewuyi's native languages are English and Yoruba. Lithuanian seemed unlike anything he knew, especially its grammatical cases. His employer paid for his first courses, and his progress accelerated when he began studying on his own for the state language examination. He passed the A2-level exam, which is enough for everyday life, though talking to a doctor in Lithuanian is still difficult. Among the advantages of life in the country he names the changing seasons, public institutions that work without unnecessary formalities, and a sense of security. He describes Lithuanians as more reserved than people in his homeland.
Racism and online comments
Adewuyi says discrimination often cannot be proven. His most unpleasant recent experience was looking for a flat this year: in his view, people with a different skin colour automatically end up at the bottom of the list of potential tenants. He has heard racist insults several times, but rarely, and says he feels safe in daily life. What affects him most are negative comments on social media and public debates about migrants, including the debate over the burning of the Quran. He stresses that he does not consider Lithuania dangerous for foreigners, but admits he sometimes tires of standing out.
