Based on the novel The Lekki Headmaster, why is Mr. Bepo reluctant to relocate to the United Kingdom?

Answer Details

This comprehension question explores Mr Bepo's personal motivations for choosing to remain in Nigeria rather than relocating to the United Kingdom, where his wife Seri already works as a nurse.

Mr Bepo is reluctant to relocate to the United Kingdom because he does not want to leave his students. Despite the significant financial advantage of moving abroad (his wife earns far more in the UK than he earns as a school principal in Nigeria), Mr Bepo feels a deep sense of duty and attachment to the students he teaches. His commitment to their education and well-being outweighs the material benefits of emigrating.

His reluctance is not primarily driven by fear of adapting to a new environment, a belief that life in Nigeria is inherently better, or an unwillingness to leave his wife and children behind (since his wife is already in the UK). The passage makes clear that his bond with his students is the decisive factor holding him back. This detail is central to the novel's exploration of the personal costs and moral dimensions of the japa (emigration) trend in Nigeria.