In a viral exchange on X (formerly Twitter) that has ignited debates on migration, national pride and online discourse, a U.S.-based economist has faced widespread criticism for ridiculing a Nigerian immigrant’s exuberant celebration of his new Canadian citizenship.
The controversy erupted when Scott Bolshevik, who describes himself as a commentator on economics, politics and finance, quoted a heartfelt post from Nigerian lawyer and activist Daddy Eni, turning a moment of personal triumph into fodder for broader commentary on Nigerian emigration trends.
Eni, posting under the handle @JoshO491, shared his milestone on November 12, accompanied by four celebratory photos showing him smiling in formal attire against a backdrop of Canadian flags and maple leaves. “I dreamt it, prayed for it, worked towards it when I did not even know how I would get there. But here I am today, living it, and it feels so normal. #CertifiedCanadian,” he wrote.
Bolshevik’s response the following day struck a sharper tone. Quoting Eni’s post directly, he wrote: “No group celebrates Western citizenship like Nigerians. They make a spectacle of it and you would think escaping home is the dream. Is Nigeria really that unlivable?”
The backlash was swift and multifaceted. Nigerian X users, in particular, expressed outrage, viewing Bolshevik’s comment as a reductive stereotype that ignores systemic challenges such as economic instability, insecurity and limited opportunities that drive many to seek better lives abroad. One respondent, @diponet1, lamented: “O WRONG NAU SCOTT! @scottbolshevik, because our people post and celebrate getting your country’s citizenship, you said ours is unlivable?”, sharing a screenshot of Bolshevik’s tweet alongside images of joyful Nigerian-Canadian celebrations. Another, @Laykes17, wrote: “After celebrating citizenship and making a spectacle of it, they turn around to defend the same government back home in Nigeria that made them flee in the first place. Terrible set of humans. Cook them.
Defenders of Eni’s original post highlighted the human element, arguing that public celebrations serve as inspiration for others navigating similar journeys. “It is such a shame that we get to be mocked this way,” tweeted @Ajelegrandson. “People, whenever you get your Western countries’ citizenship, keep it at home and stop making mockery of our image.” Meanwhile, @EmmyPromise71 offered a more introspective take: “Scott did not even lie. Nigerians handed him the microphone and he simply repeated the nonsense we shout every day. If you drag your own house like it is a public toilet, outsiders will also hold their nose when they pass.”
Bolshevik, whose bio emphasizes a passion for humanity alongside economic topics, has not publicly responded to the criticism as of press time. His post taps into ongoing global conversations about “Japa”, a Yoruba slang word for fleeing Nigeria amid its challenges. Over 1.4 million Nigerians have emigrated in recent years, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration. Critics, however, argue that such mockery overlooks the resilience required to rebuild lives in new countries, often starting from scratch.
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