Comic actor Bayo Bankole, popularly known as Boy Alinco, has opened up about the hardships he faced after marrying a woman in the United States to obtain citizenship.
Bankole, famous for his role in Papa Ajasco, shared his experience during a recent episode of The Teju Babyface Show.
The 56-year-old revealed that he left his family in Nigeria in 2015 to pursue US citizenship through marriage.
Just seven months after meeting an American woman, he married her, but the first two years were tough due to financial struggles.
“I had to work menial jobs to support my family both in the US and Nigeria,” he said, adding that a joint account with his wife and lack of proper guidance made things more difficult.
Bankole described his case as “unfortunate” because he had no one to mentor him on the citizenship process. However, he expressed gratitude that things eventually got better and that his children from Nigeria are now with him in the US.
“There are processes to citizenship. There are processes to getting a green card. Do you want to go through asylum? The process of immigration does not come easy.
“Some guys are fortunate. They get it so easily. But not all of us. If you bring 10 guys out, eight will have a nasty experience.
“You have situations that if you go through marriage, if you are fortunate to have a good woman, thank your star for it. And if you do not have a good woman, please endure and enjoy it. The situation becomes so difficult when you have your loved ones back at home who depend on you. You are struggling with their survival here and at home.
“I was not fortunate to arrive at a place where people could mentor me.”
The actor said he holds no grudges against his wife and is focused on moving forward.
