Chidera: Far From Home.

Chidera | Proof of Life - Episode 44

Looking back, I don’t think my dream changed. It simply grew with me.

That might be the best way to understand Chidera’s story.

I’ve known Dera long enough to call her my chop-life partner and padi, but this episode gave me a different view of the woman behind all the food, laughter, and friendship. From growing up as a quiet girl who dreamed of building things with computers to becoming a Software Product Manager and eventually building businesses of her own, her story has always been about creating something.

Now, she is doing that from Germany.

She tells us what it really means to start again in a new country, the loneliness and responsibility that come with independence, the things she misses about home, her hopes for CreateNest, and why moving abroad is definitely not something you should do because everybody else is doing it.

There is food, culture shock, Nigerian parents asking the marriage question every single day, and, of course, a very Chidera random thought to close things out.

This is Proof of Life.

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What does “Proof of Life” mean to you in this season of starting over in Germany?

To me, “Proof of Life” in this season of starting over in Germany means choosing to keep going, even when life feels uncertain. It’s waking up every day in a new country, learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, facing disappointments, especially the ‘leider nicht’ (laughs), and still refusing to give up on my dreams.

Take us back a little. What kind of child were you growing up? What dreams did little Chidera carry, and which of those dreams are still alive today?

Growing up, I was a terrible introvert, and one of the things that brought me the most joy was going to the evening market to buy clothes. I also knew from a young age that I wanted to do something with computers. By JSS3, I would always say I wanted to build something that could charge phones without plugging them into electricity. I never built it, but it’s amazing to see how technology has evolved with wireless charging today.

Today, I’m a software product manager, and I’ve built products across inventory management, e-commerce, and fintech. Looking back, I realize I’ve always wanted to solve problems through technology; that dream never changed.

I’m still driven by curiosity, still excited by innovation, and still asking myself, “How can we build something that makes life a little better?”

Looking back, I don’t think my dream changed. It simply grew up with me.

Relocating isn’t something people wake up and do overnight. What was happening in your life that made you finally say, “It’s time to leave Nigeria”?

To be honest, it was police harassment that happened twice, and I did not feel safe.

Everyone sees the airport photos and the excitement. Very few people see the first few months after. What has restarting your life in Germany actually looked like? Give us the honest version.

It was really overwhelming, especially as I did not know anyone here before coming, and it is still overwhelming. Not knowing what to do at a given point or how to go about it.

What’s one moment since moving that made you stop and think, “Wow... I really don’t live in Nigeria anymore?”

I pass by a police officer and say ‘Hello’, and I go ahead to either ask for direction or ask for a photo… laughs.

Every country has its own rhythm. What have been your biggest culture shocks in Germany? The funny ones, the frustrating ones, and maybe the ones you’ve secretly grown to love.

Funny ones – You must separate your bin (Bio, plastic, paper, bottles, clothes)
Frustrating ones – You must wait for the green light to turn on for those on foot before you cross the road, even at midnight, and there’s a constant letter in your mailbox.
The ones I secretly have grown to love – total silence from 10 pm and silence on Sundays

What do you miss most about home? Not the obvious answers—the little things you never imagined you’d miss until they disappeared.

I miss randomly walking into a food shop to buy hot amala or Abacha. In Germany, if it’s not döner, it’s pizza or a burger, and I do not like those things.

If someone handed you a free ticket to Nigeria for one weekend only, what’s the very first thing you’re doing after landing?

Heading straight to an Abacha Jointtttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Friendship changes when oceans get involved. How has relocating changed your relationships? Who stayed, who surprised you, and what have you learned about keeping people close from far away?

I still have my people; nothing has changed

Let’s talk about CreateNeste. What problem were you trying to solve when you started it, and what kind of future are you hoping to build with it?

CreateNest was born from a simple belief: great ideas shouldn’t fail because people lack access to the right technology or team to bring them to life.

As a product manager, I met founders and businesses with amazing ideas, but many struggled to turn those ideas into products that users actually wanted. Some built the wrong features, some had poor user experiences, and others didn’t know where to start. I wanted CreateNest to bridge that gap by helping businesses build digital products that solve real problems and create real value.

Looking ahead, I want CreateNest to become more than a software company. I want it to be an innovation hub where startups and businesses can confidently bring their ideas to life. I also hope it becomes a place where young African tech talent can grow, build meaningful solutions, and create products with global impact.

At its core, CreateNest is about building technology that matters and creating opportunities for people through innovation.

Food is one of the quickest ways to feel at home. 😭 What’s your relationship with food been like since moving? What Nigerian meal would you fight to have right now, and have you found anything in Germany that’s won your heart?

I have been eating Nigerian food for the past year. As a matter of fact, I came here with one full bag of abacha. The only thing here that has won my heart is salmon.

We have to address the classic Nigerian question. 😂 How has the “So... when are you getting married?” conversation evolved now that you’re abroad? Do your parents still keep the pressure alive?

In fact, moving abroad made my parents ask me this question almost every day.

Adulting abroad comes with freedom, but also responsibility. What has this season been teaching you about independence, money, and building a life completely on your own?

Living abroad has taught me that freedom comes with a lot of responsibility. You are responsible for your rent, your bills, your studies, your career, and every decision you make. There’s no safety net.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of financial discipline. If you don’t have savings that can sustain you for at least three months when you’re out of a job, life can become very difficult. In Germany, you quickly realize that nobody is handing out money for free. You have to plan, budget, and prepare for unexpected situations.

This season has taught me that independence isn’t just about living on your own; it’s about being intentional with your finances, making wise decisions, and building a stable future. Saving isn’t optional – it’s a necessity.

If the Chidera who boarded the plane to Germany could sit across from you today, what do you think she’d be most proud of? And what about the woman you’ve become would completely surprise her?

I think she’d be most proud that I never gave up. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’ve kept showing up. I moved to a new country, adapted to a different culture, learned a new language, got better at my career as a Software Product Manager, and even started my own companies, CreateNest and Kraftigo. Every challenge has made me stronger.

What would probably surprise her the most is the confidence I’ve gained. I was such an introvert growing up, but today I’m comfortable leading projects, working with diverse teams, sharing my story, and putting myself out there. I still have moments of doubt, but I no longer let fear make my decisions.

I think she’d look at me and realize that all those little dreams she carried didn’t disappear; they evolved. And she’d be proud that, despite every setback, I chose to keep building the life I once only imagined.

Looking ahead, where do you honestly see yourself? Is Germany home now, or do you still imagine life bringing you back to Nigeria someday?

GERMANY IS HOME

What advice would you give another young Nigerian who’s dreaming of relocating? Not the motivational version—the real advice you wish someone gave you before you left.

Have a plan. Please don’t relocate just because your friends or family are relocating. Migration is not a trend,it’s a life-changing decision.

If you move without a clear plan for your studies, career, finances, and how you’re going to survive, you will struggle. And trust me, adulting abroad is expensive. (Laughs.) In Germany especially, nobody is handing you money for free.

There’s an Igbo saying: “Ị ga ebe ka okwá...” (laughs). In other words, know where you’re going and why you’re going there. Relocate because you’ve thought it through, not because everyone else is doing it.

Finally, leave us with one random thought that’s been living rent-free in your mind lately. Funny, profound, chaotic… anything goes.

In Nigeria now, when a thief is caught, they play different songs for them to dance, or they are given instruments to play, and Jesus said he will come like a thief in the night. Maybe someone needs to tell him not to come to Nigeria now… laughs out loud

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Call for questions.

Proof of Life is approaching its 50th episode.

To mark the milestone, I’m turning the tables. For the first time, I’ll be the guest.

Over the past 49 conversations, I’ve had the privilege of listening to people share their lives with remarkable honesty. It only feels right to celebrate this moment by opening up and sharing my own story.

So, I’d love your help.

If there’s anything you’ve ever wanted to ask me about my life, work, creative journey, failures, wins, or the person behind the questions, leave a comment or send me a message. I’ll be gathering your questions for the episode.

See you on Episode 50.

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If you enjoyed Dera’s Proof of Life, you should meet Precious and Christabel!