A Nigerian woman living abroad has narrated an experience of what she described as discrimination linked to her nationality, lamenting that carrying a Nigerian passport has become a major disadvantage in some foreign countries.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) and sighted by DIASPORA NG, the woman who didn’t mention her name said she was denied the opportunity to open a bank account solely because she is Nigerian, despite meeting the required conditions presented to other applicants.
According to her, she visited the bank alongside friends from Ghana and Jamaica, as well as another acquaintance, after being told that a passport and social security number were sufficient to open an account.
She said while her Ghanaian and Jamaican friends were attended to and successfully opened accounts, the bank refused to process hers, allegedly stating that it no longer opened accounts for Nigerians.
The woman described the experience as humiliating, adding that remarks made by one of her friends about Nigerians being perceived negatively worldwide made the situation even more painful.
She explained that her employer later intervened by issuing a formal letter to support her application, but the bank’s management reportedly maintained its stance, apologising while insisting that the restriction was based solely on her nationality.
The woman said the bank documented its position in writing, stressing that it had no personal issue with her but could not proceed because she is Nigerian, a development that left her in tears.
Expressing frustration, she blamed what she called the failure of leadership in Nigeria for allowing innocent citizens to suffer discrimination abroad, while expressing hope that the country would one day overcome its challenges and regain global respect.
Watch video HERE
