Nigerian comic actor Bayo Bankole, popularly known as Boy Alinco, has narrated the difficulties he faced on his journey to obtaining his United States citizenship.

The 56-year-old actor revealed that he had to leave his family in Nigeria in 2015 to pursue US citizenship through marriage.

Bankole, widely known for his role in the sitcom Papa Ajasco, shared his experience in an interview on The Teju Babyface Show.

He revealed that seven months after meeting his partner, he tied the knot but was faced with challenges in the first two years of his marriage, including financial struggles and hardship.

Bankole stated that while in the US, he took up menial jobs to support his family in the US and his loved ones back in Nigeria.

According to Bankole, some of the difficulties he experienced were a result of the joint financial arrangement he made with his wife.

He attributed some of the difficulties to his joint financial arrangements with his wife and a lack of proper guidance in navigating the immigration process.

The actor, however, expressed joy as his life has since improved and that his children from Nigeria are with him in the US. He also mentioned that he does not habour any resentment towards his wife and is focused on getting ahead with his life.

Bankole pointed out the challenges immigrants face when seeking legal residency in the US, highlighting the many roads available and the difficulties that they will face.


“My case was unfortunate because I had no one to advise me on the citizenship process.

“I have had the opportunity of traveling way back in 1999 and 2000 frequently. But I came to the US for the first time in April 2015,” he recalled. “Then I met a lady. When I came back in October 2015, I got settled and decided to get married. But it was a bitter experience for me. Eventually, I had to stay back. Two years of an experience that I will not want to recall. It was just like what I wrote when I eventually got my green card that truly I am an Asunkungbade—one who fights to earn his crown. At the end of the day, all glory be to God.

“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.”