Two American tourists, Liza Gatsby and Peter Jenkins, have shared their story of spending over 36 years in Nigeria on a 10-day transit visa issued in 1988. They spoke about their unexpected extended stay in an interview with content creator David Nkwa.
Initially, Gatsby and Jenkins intended to stay only briefly but were inspired to remain due to their involvement in wildlife conservation. They were impressed by Nigeria’s opportunities in science, wildlife, and the hospitality of its people.
The tourists established a nonprofit called Pandas, focusing on conserving drill monkeys in Bano and Calabar, Cross River State. They valued the unique wildlife and cultural experiences they encountered, which led them to stay far beyond their initial visa period.
Jenkins praised Calabar for its wildlife and noted that the area was underexplored before their arrival. He emphasized that in the 1980s and early 90s, Nigeria’s natural resources and wildlife were abundant and the cost of living was low.
Gatsby also highlighted a concern about the loss of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge in Nigeria. She criticized the lack of pride in the country’s traditional practices and the growing reliance on imported products.