A young Nigerian man has issued a powerful and emotional warning against the dangers of gambling after his addiction cost him a coveted United Kingdom dependent visa and a five-year relationship that was headed for marriage.
Dreams Shattered Hours Before Visa Approval
Alabi Tolulope Michael revealed that his UK dependent visa application was cancelled by his then-girlfriend just 24 hours before the process was to be finalized. The visa was his ticket to joining her in the UK, where he planned to complete a PhD program, build a family, and pursue a career covering international football tournaments.
In a lengthy and remorseful Facebook post, Alabi described the aborted move as one of his greatest life regrets. He shared a collage of his prepared travel documents, symbolizing a future that slipped through his fingers. He had already been shown his prospective room and environment in the UK by his waiting hosts.
The Final Straw: A Partner's Breaking Point
Alabi admitted that his partner had repeatedly warned him about his destructive habit but he failed to heed her concerns. His addiction led him to waste significant amounts of money, a behavior his girlfriend could no longer tolerate.
"She never wanted any of this," he wrote. "She couldn’t cope with my gambling addiction or all the money I had wasted. In the end, she decided to end everything.. the relationship and even my dependent visa application."
The dual cancellation—of both the relationship and the visa—happened in less than a day, leaving him devastated and feeling as though he had become "the greatest enemy of my best friend."
A Life Lesson and a Public Warning
Despite stating he has moved on, Alabi confessed the pain and mystery of the loss still haunt him. He expressed a wish for his ex-partner's wellbeing and hoped she would one day remember him fondly.
His post concluded with a direct plea to the public: "⚠️ Please! Stay away from gambling before it makes you its victim. You might be enjoying it now, but the future will not be kind. Don’t fall into irreversible pain."
The story, shared on December 15, 2025, sparked reactions online. Many commenters offered sympathy and perspective, with some suggesting the drastic action might have been the necessary shock to break his addiction cycle. Others encouraged him to see the closed door as a potential blessing and to focus on rebuilding his life and dreams.
This personal tragedy highlights a broader national issue. In a related context, Nigeria has been reported to top the list of African countries dominating sports betting. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has previously stated that an estimated 60 million Nigerians engage in gambling daily, a staggering figure that far exceeds the number of citizens investing in formal financial markets.
