Aboubakar Sule, a native of Dumbu in the Misaje Subdivision, Donga Mantung Division, North West Region of Cameroon spent decades trying to carve out a life for himself in Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala.
Like many rural-to-urban migrants, Sule had hoped that the city would offer him the opportunity to build a better life for his family. Yet, in 2022, after years of chasing success in the city, he made an uncommon decision that surprised many as he chose to return home to Dumbu with his family.
Sule’s migration story is not one of forced displacement or economic ruin. Rather, it was a strategic choice to maximize his productivity and happiness.
In a candid interview with Hilltopvoices TV, Sule explained that while nothing forced him out of Douala, he realized that life in the city was no longer as promising as it once seemed.
"Things were going back," he remarked, reflecting on the gradual decline in opportunities.
For Sule, the village represented something different: freedom, productivity, and a chance to leave a legacy for future generations.
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The decision to return
Sule’s return was not a spontaneous move. He first discussed his desire to leave the city with his wife two years before his final departure. Surprisingly, his wife, Madam Sule, embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Unlike many modern women who might resist returning to rural life, Madam Sule had a passion for farming, which made the transition seamless. In fact, she moved to Dumbu two years before her husband, setting the stage for their new life.