Former Big Brother Naija housemate Uriel Oputa has shared a deeply personal story about being homeless in Lagos for six months, revealing how faith and unexpected kindness helped her survive and rebuild.
In a detailed Instagram post, Uriel explained that her ordeal began in November when she made the tough decision to sell her car and give up her Lagos apartment.
Her plan at the time was to relocate to London for two years to care for her mother, who had just been diagnosed with a new medical condition.
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“In November, I sold my car. I had no plans of coming back to Nigeria. My mum had just been diagnosed with something new, and I was preparing to move to London for two years to take care of her. I gave up everything. My car. My apartment. My Lagos routine. I left it all behind,” she wrote.
However, things took an unexpected turn in December when her brother advised her to return to Lagos. The decision left her confused, emotionally drained, and without a place to stay.
“My brother told me to go back to Lagos. I was confused, heartbroken, and honestly had no direction. I had nowhere to stay and no plan,” Uriel revealed.
Desperate for shelter, she checked into a short-term rental apartment that charged ₦150,000 per night. Though uncertain of how she would manage the cost, she paid the full rate for two months. Fortunately, the apartment owners offered her a discounted rate of ₦100,000 per day afterward, and even gave her a full month free in May as a long-term guest.
“I ended up in a shortlet apartment paying ₦150,000 per day. I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. But somehow, I did. For the first two months, I paid full price. Then they gave me a discount ₦100,000 per day. Eventually, they even gave me a full month free (May) for being a long-stay guest. Let me tell you something it was only God. Only Jesus,” she shared.
In what she described as a period of spiritual reflection, Uriel began praying more, and unexpectedly, her juice and meal plan business began to flourish. Orders increased, allowing her to cover rent in weekly or 10-day intervals.
“In that space of not knowing what to do, I started praying. My juice and meal plan business suddenly picked up. People started placing orders. Money started coming in. I started paying weekly. Sometimes every 10 days,” she said.
She praised the apartment owners for their understanding and support during the difficult period.
“The shortlet owners never stressed me. They gave me grace. That grace gave me room to breathe, to rebuild, and to bounce back,” she noted.
After six months of uncertainty, Uriel finally secured a new home and expressed her gratitude for the journey.
“Six months later, I got my own place again. And I’m so grateful,” she wrote, adding a message to anyone currently in a place of uncertainty:
“If you’re in a season where you’ve let everything go and don’t know how you’ll land, this is your reminder: God provides. Even when there’s no plan.”
