Nollywood star Jim Iyke has shared a powerful reflection on identity, travel, and what it truly means to be Nigerian in a world that often judges by passport colour before character.
Born in Gabon but proudly Nigerian, Jim Iyke revealed how he has carried his green Nigerian passport across continents — from Moscow to Argentina, South Africa, Gambia, Ghana, and the south of France. According to him, there were moments at borders when officers looked at the passport and their facial expressions changed instantly. Still, he stood firm — calm, confident, and unbroken.
“I told myself I wasn’t there to beg anyone,” he said. “I was there to spend my time, my money, and my value.”
For Iyke, travel wasn’t about validation; it was about learning cultures, meeting people, and exchanging ideas. Even when borders felt cold and unwelcoming, he turned the world into his classroom.
Recalling an experience in Dubai, the actor said he boldly asked immigration officers to look beyond stereotypes — to check his name, his work, and his impact. He reminded them that a few bad apples can never define an entire nation, and that countless great Nigerians are still coming.
“When one mind changes, systems change,” Iyke stressed.
A story of pride, courage, and national identity — Jim Iyke’s words are a reminder that being Nigerian is not a disadvantage, it’s a responsibility.
