Abstract
This article examines the aftercare experiences of young people who have recently left a residential care institution in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a phenomenological qualitative research design with 20 care leavers, and data collected were analyzed using Attride-Stirling’s thematic networks analytical tool. The young care leavers’ aftercare experiences were marked by many challenges with employment, finances, living and surviving alone, accommodation, and social integration. These challenges were due to inadequate preparation for independent living, as well as their orphan and care backgrounds. However, care leavers were filled with resilient optimism, in terms of personal and social factors. Personal factors related to hope of a brighter future, persistence, fear of failing, and engagement in menial jobs and savings, while social factors included formal and informal support systems care leavers mobilized for improved transitional outcomes. Recommendations for policy, research, and practice are made in light of these findings.