Kainene (28) sent over 120 applications before getting the job that took her to England. In this story, she shares why it was important for her to leave Nigeria, her experiences in England, and dealing with racism as a healthcare professional.

Where do you live now, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I presently live in England, United Kingdom (UK). I left Nigeria around mid-2023.

What inspired you to leave?

I really wanted a better paying job. So, when a colleague who had left told me they had gotten their move to England for a role in the National Health Service (NHS). I thought it was a great idea, so I started the process and eventually landed a job and moved.

What was life like for you in Nigeria?

I’ll say it was fairly steady. After graduation, I was briefly self-employed and worked on private practice gigs. After a year, I got my internship and did the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC). Shortly after that, I got the last job I had before leaving Nigeria.

So my life back home was fairly steady career-wise, but the economy was failing, and I could sense that. Socially, I was not one to do a lot of outdoor things, so I didn鈥檛 have too many expenses. I was content. Thankfully, I also didn鈥檛 have to pay rent because I lived with my parents.

All of those factors gave me the sense that I wasn’t doing too badly. But the salaries from the jobs were just not sufficient. If the trend had continued, things would have gotten pretty bad. I didn鈥檛 wait to get to a point where I was absolutely frustrated with living in Nigeria, but I could just sense that I needed a plan to get out.

What was the process of leaving like? 

Everything took about a year and a half from the time I heard about the opportunity to the time I left.

The process? I had to get a licence to practice in England. I did my research and found the registration link. There were certain fees to pay and a required list of documents, including the ones they needed from my university. I posted those over to England, paid the processing fees, and when they were happy, they informed me when to pay for the registration.

From my application to the registration took about six months. Once I got the license, I started applying for jobs and let me tell you, t鈥檚 a numbers game. I sent about 120 applications, and only got four interviews. Of the four, I got two offers, and I picked the one I felt was more favourable. My employer helped me process my visa application, and I just followed through until I travelled.

What was it like arriving in a new country?

I was curious to see what would happen. I was definitely expecting the change in weather, and it didn鈥檛 disappoint. I was ready for the cold, but I wasn’t sure how the people would be. I was hopeful that I wouldn鈥檛 experience racism, which is always a concern for anybody moving to a different country.

I also looked forward to seeing how I would survive as an adult because all the components of adulthood were happening to me for the first time in a different country. I was going to be living out of my parents’ house, so I was going to pay rent. Even though I had lived away from home for two years during my internship and NYSC, I didn’t have to pay rent then because accommodation was provided. Now, I was truly going to live alone.

I was also thinking about the new things I would learn working in a different healthcare system. Back in Nigeria, we heard great things about the UK’s healthcare system, and I was excited to see the positive differences.

What about your social life? How did you find the people?

My first exposure to people in the UK was in the work setting. My employers and co-workers were alright. People will be people anywhere in the world; some are immediately warm, some need a little time to warm up to you. I felt more settled and relaxed around my co-workers, but a bit anxious around the patients;  there鈥檚 no obligation for them to be nice to me. They knew that and they used it.

There were times when people were rude and maybe racist. Working in healthcare specifically means you have to grow a thick skin because, all over the world, patients and their families can be tricky to manage.

Initially, I wasn’t focused on making friends. I was focused on learning the ropes and getting along with the people I had to be around most of the day. I just observed people from a distance. Sometimes I would take a walk on my free days or in the evenings and observe how people interact with one another and their environment.

You’ve had some time now. Where would you say you are with all these things?

Work-wise, I think I’ve blended in significantly. I’ve adapted to the system quite well; I’ve given myself time to learn and unlearn things, and I’m quite comfortable now. I know what to expect with various work scenarios. If I can’t manage by myself, I know how to escalate things to my seniors. There is still a lot more learning to do because I want to progress in my career, but for my level, I am quite confident and settled.

Socially, I’ve made a couple of friends. I started making friends locally, and when they moved to other areas, it allowed me the opportunity to visit other places.

Recently, because of my role, I have had to travel around to see my patients. That has got me to move around and see parts of the region away from where I live. You meet nice people like this. You might not necessarily become friends, but each person you meet teaches you something.

Do you have more British friends or more Nigerian friends?

I’ll say more Nigerian friends because most of the British people I meet are through work, and I like to separate work life from social life. I don’t consider my co-workers my friends. I only allow myself to make friends outside of work. If we work together, I automatically put a boundary on how far we can take our relationship.

Having mostly Nigerians is not because I don’t try to make British friends outside of work, but because friendship occurs more naturally when I see fellow Nigerians or other Black people. It flows naturally. I’ve made a couple of British acquaintances who are nice, but there is sometimes a limitation as to how far the friendship can go because of cultural differences. If either party isn’t deeply curious about the other’s culture, it just stays at a surface level.

Did you meet all your Nigerian friends in the UK?

I have a couple of friends who I knew from Nigeria, mostly people I went to university with, because most of us took the same route to relocating. They鈥檙e all healthcare workers, too. None of them lives close to me presently, so I communicate with them over the phone.

The friends I see frequently are those I actually met here in different ways. Some I met through mutual friends at social gatherings, and some through apps. The apps are just like dating apps, but for making friends.

Have you been back to Nigeria since you left?

No, I haven’t. If I’m being honest, it’s just due to funds. Ticket prices are quite high. I have channelled a lot of my finances into learning to drive and keeping a car. My job requires me to drive, so I had to take driving lessons. I learned how to drive a manual car, and it took a lot more lessons than I anticipated. That took a lot of money from my savings. I bought a car after I passed the test.

So, these expenses, along with supporting my family in Nigeria, have made me put visiting Nigeria on the back burner for now.

Do you ever see yourself returning to Nigeria permanently?

The short answer is no. But who knows? When making long-term plans, you have to have a reason; I currently can鈥檛 find a realistic reason for moving back. I left because the salary I made couldn鈥檛 cut it anymore, and things weren鈥檛 getting better. Why would I go back when those circumstances haven’t improved?

Have you experienced racism in England?

Yes. Sometimes it’s direct, sometimes it’s indirect. Most of these experiences come from interacting with patients. Sometimes you walk into their room, and they look at you in a way that shows they weren’t expecting to see you. They can be cold or passive-aggressive.

There are also times when people do things they don’t realise can be interpreted as racist. Like when they say, “Oh, your English is good. Where did you learn to speak English?” I have to tell them that English is the official language of Nigeria, and I’ve been speaking it all my life.

A co-worker once asked me if we have fast food chains like McDonald’s or Domino’s in my country. I鈥檝e also been asked if we have ice cream and if we have air conditioning. It鈥檚 a lot.

The one that has the most effect on me is in professional situations. Sometimes you share ideas, and they don’t take them seriously because they don’t regard your experience or knowledge, since you didn’t train in their country. They just casually dismiss your ideas. And you know if the same idea came from a local, they鈥檇 have taken it.

Did you have any specific culture shocks?

Yes. It was the transportation, especially. I missed my appointments a number of times in my first few months. I would forget that I had to check the bus times. I would think I could just step out to the bus stop as I did in Nigeria and hop onto any moving bus. But that鈥檚 not how it works.

I would wake up and realise the bus that should have taken me had left half an hour ago, and the next one isn’t for another half hour. That took some getting used to. I had to start making strict plans and setting several reminders for myself.

The seasons were also different. I arrived in June, and on the first night, I noticed it was still very bright at 10:00 p.m. That was exciting to see. It mostly happens from spring to summer.

I was quite surprised by just how much people smoke here. Adults smoke, and teenagers vape. When taking medical histories, you hear of people who have smoked for more than half their lifetime.

The drinking culture shocked me, too. Going to the pubs purely for drinking is their way of relaxing. In Nigeria, our ideal fun was more about house parties or clubs with dancing, music, and games. There鈥檚 alcohol, of course, but it鈥檚 more about the activities. Here, they actually care a lot about the drinking itself. It surprises me how much they can fit into their bellies. It’s also like a rite of passage for young men to share a pint with their dads.

What has been your worst experience in England?

The worst experience would be learning to drive. A couple of driving instructors wasted my time and money. A particular one kept cancelling our appointments. She had a rule that I needed to give her 48 hours’ notice if I needed to cancel an appointment. But then she would call me to cancel a few hours before the appointment, and I would have already planned my schedule around it. When I complained, she became even more inconsistent, almost like she was punishing me.

When I finally decided to find a different instructor, I still had to chase after her for a refund, and even then, she only gave me part of my money. I was just so fed up with her that I just took it and left.

Sounds really unprofessional. What about your best experience?

The best experience was when I went to the Hull Fair. I got to go on a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel. It’s one of the greatest fun experiences I’ve had here. 

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in England?

I鈥檇 say 6.6. I miss having proximity to my family. I wish I could see them more and go to Nigeria frequently. If I had the finances to travel more often, I think I’d be much happier because I could have that escape and reset around people I love.

I’m also waiting for when I will truly feel like I belong here. But I also fear I might never feel that way. I think even if you’ve lived here for 20 years, the moment you walk into a room, people judge you based on the colour of your skin. They first see your appearance, and it makes them see you as a second-class citizen, or even a second-class human, to be honest. It might never really feel like home.

I also feel like I’m constantly working. I come home from work, try to reset in a few hours, and then I’m working the next morning again. I haven’t really lived that “UK dream” that people imagine.

I remember a conversation with a friend in Nigeria about skincare products. She was talking about how living here means I have access to the original versions of the products. That may be true, but living here doesn’t mean you can automatically afford them. The enjoyment hasn’t started yet. I’m reserving the remaining three point five points for when I start to feel like I’m enjoying myself.

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As the world marks twelve years since the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeast Nigeria, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) has called for renewed accountability, warning that the tragedy has come to symbolise a broader pattern of neglect and diminishing global urgency.

In a statement released alongside its latest report, MMF said that 89 of the girls remain unaccounted for, underscoring the extent to which the crisis remains unresolved more than a decade later.

According to the Foundation, 187 of the girls have either escaped or been released and rescued since the abduction on April 14, 2014. In addition, over 40 children have been born in captivity and returned with their mothers, reflecting the long-term human consequences of the crisis.

Despite these developments, MMF noted that progress has slowed significantly, with no confirmed recovery of a Chibok girl in the past year.

鈥淐hibok has become more than a place or a moment in time,鈥� the Chief Executive Officer of MMF said. 鈥淚t is now a metaphor for neglect鈥攐f responsibility, of accountability, and of our collective empathy for those who continue to live with the consequences of this tragedy.鈥�

The Foundation warned that the Chibok abduction, once a defining moment of global outrage, now reflects a broader failure to sustain attention and follow through on commitments. It further noted that subsequent abductions of schoolchildren across Nigeria have reinforced fears among families and undermined confidence in the safety of education, particularly for girls.

鈥淲hat Chibok exposed was not only a security failure, but a failure of sustained attention鈥攖he inability to begin and to finish, to respond and to follow through,鈥� the statement said.

MMF called on the Government of Nigeria to intensify efforts to locate those still missing and to ensure transparency and accountability in its response. It also urged the United Nations and the international community to renew engagement and support coordinated efforts to protect children and safeguard education in conflict-affected regions.

The Foundation emphasised that the long-term impact of the abduction extends beyond those still missing, affecting survivors, families, and entire communities. Many girls have experienced disrupted education, prolonged trauma, and uncertain futures.

鈥淐hibok must not be remembered only as a tragedy,鈥� the CEO said. 鈥淚t must remain a call to action. Until every missing girl is accounted for, this responsibility remains unfinished.鈥�

Aisha Muhammed Oyebode 

Murtala Muhammed Foundation

Splendid (28) was building her career in Nigeria but knew that reaching her true potential meant going to a place where opportunities are easily accessible. So in 2022, she applied for the global talent visa and got it on her first try. In this story, she shares her processes, how she struggled to settle into the UK and how she鈥檚 thriving now.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in the United Kingdom (UK), and I left Nigeria in February 2023.

What inspired your decision to move?

I was inspired by my need for growth. I had always wanted to leave since my secondary school days. The push in those years was just to escape Nigeria. But by the time I left in 2023, it was no longer about that; I was already building things in Nigeria, but I felt like I wasn鈥檛 reaching the ceiling. So I needed that move to leap. My move to the UK wasn鈥檛 an escape plan; it was a growth decision.

That鈥檚 nice. How did you leave?

I left on the Global Talent Visa. I got my endorsement in November 2022.

How can one get the Global Talent visa

To get the global talent visa, you have to get an endorsement from . 

Who is eligible for this visa?

I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 a straightforward answer to who is eligible for the Global Talent Visa. To get a recommendation from them, you have to work in tech, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be a technical role that requires coding. I came in as a growth marketer.

Tech Nation is not the only body that can endorse one for the Global Talent Visa.  There are also endorsing bodies under arts and culture, and there鈥檚 also architecture. To know if you qualify, I advise that you visit the website and spend some time there.

Thank you. Is there anything else people should know?

Tech Nation will endorse you either as an exceptional promise or as an exceptional talent. But you definitely need to have some experience in your field to be endorsed in either category. I was endorsed as an exceptional promise. At the time I applied, you鈥檇 need less than three years of experience to apply as a promise and about five years of experience to qualify as a talent.

What鈥檚 the difference between the two categories?

As an exceptional promise, you鈥檒l be given five years global talent visa to enter the UK. At the end of that, you can apply for your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and your British passport.

As an exceptional talent, you鈥檒l get a three-year visa after which you can apply for your ILR. It鈥檚 faster for people under this category.

Is there essay writing involved?

It鈥檚 not an essay; it’s an elaborate process of putting together everything you’ve done in your career to prove that you鈥檙e a person of value.

The process was intense for me. To me, the hardest part was not the application; it鈥檚 documenting your impact in a way that makes sense to people who don鈥檛 know you. It鈥檚 you, telling your story clearly and showing proof of work, and positioning yourself as a person of value. And so, I had to put up different documents broken down into different criteria. 

Tech Nation also requires applicants to get recommendation letters from three top people in the tech space, so I had to get those. I also had to show the work I did at different companies, proof of high earnings, and speaking engagements. So, it’s not a single essay; you have to actually put your documents together, and if I remember correctly, put them into ten letters or PDFs, then group them into mandatory and optional criteria.

The process is rigorous; I always advise people who want to apply through Tech Nation to be thorough. The requirements change all the time, so go to their website and carefully look through it to see what鈥檚 required at the moment.

The rigorous nature of the process forces you to think critically about your journey and your career. But once everything comes together, it鈥檚 worth it.

That鈥檚 lovely. Can you remember how long the process took you?

When I applied for my Tech Nation endorsement, it took me two weeks to hear from them. But the time can vary, really. I have a friend who heard back from them in four days.

After you get your Tech Nation endorsement, everything else is a breeze. You just apply for your visa, and you leave. The entire process鈥攆rom application to leaving鈥� took me about six weeks. I stalled a bit because I wanted to spend some time with my family.

What are the requirements for the visa process?

You have to submit an online application within 3 months of receiving your endorsement. You must submit your passport and your National Identity Number (NIN). You also have to go for your biometrics, pay for your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and take a tuberculosis test.

Ok. Were there any hassles in getting the visa?

Not at all, it was very fast. There aren鈥檛 many requirements, and I think it鈥檚 something that people have to know. The day I went for my biometrics, I went with so many documents, but I found they weren’t needed. There鈥檚 no complexity in the visa process. The complexity is in applying for the Tech Nation endorsement.

What are the benefits of the global talent visa?

The global talent visa, in my opinion, is the best type of visa to get. It fast-tracks the receipt of your ILR and British passport. Unlike a tier one visa, the Global Talent visa doesn鈥檛 restrict immigrants to specific jobs or a salary cap; you can earn your worth.

Another great benefit of the visa is that it allows holders to bring in dependents. Married people can bring in their spouses and children.

There鈥檚 also the edge it gives immigrants in terms of getting a job; no, Tech Nation doesn鈥檛 get you a job, and the visa doesn’t come with a job. But it helps you skip hurdles that make getting one difficult. You don鈥檛 have to be sponsored by any company to get a job; this is usually a big obstacle here in the UK because a company has to pay some fees to sponsor immigrants. That factor makes it difficult to get sponsorship jobs here, but as a global talent visa holder, you鈥檙e not mandated to find sponsorship. You can apply anywhere and work anywhere.

What were you doing in Nigeria, and what do you do now?

I was a growth marketer in Nigeria. Now, I work as a growth marketer with one of the top fintechs here in the UK. Outside of work, I run a non-profit community called  , where I help people find their way into the non-code side of tech and also into growth marketing.

That鈥檚 impressive. 

Thank you.

So, what鈥檚 the work culture like in the UK?

That鈥檚 a dicey question because work culture isn’t defined in a specific way; it really depends on where you work. There’s a good work-life balance at my current workplace. Compared to Nigeria, there鈥檚 so much respect for your work hours and for holidays. You would hardly get work messages outside of work hours and during holidays.

Communication and politeness are also valued, and there鈥檚 a high level of professionalism here. The balance between work and life makes socialising a lot more possible, and that鈥檚 something I like.

Are there a variety of activities?

Yes. There are always activities to do, especially pubs after work. I go to the office once a week; on the days when I go, we always visit a pub right after work.

There鈥檚 honestly always a social activity to do. Most of the companies I鈥檝e worked at prioritise social activities. They range from going to a pub to events and games, to inviting someone to speak to us at the office.

So, from personal experience, I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 one way to describe the work culture in the UK. I鈥檝e had the good and the bad. I鈥檓 currently in the good, and I appreciate that.

Love that for you. What was it like settling into your life in the UK?

Settling in was a roller coaster. I came during the cold, and I went to Scotland first. To top it off, the city I went to鈥擜berdeen鈥攊s one of the coldest in the entire country. Dealing with the cold was very tough for me. Unlike Nigeria, the UK has structures and systems that work; it took me a bit of time to understand and adjust to them.

Settling in was generally a roller coaster.  But it wasn鈥檛 so tough; it took me about 2-3 weeks to get settled.

When you come to the UK, you shouldn鈥檛 try to do things on your own because you won鈥檛 know everything. You have to reach out to someone who was already here. If you have family here, it鈥檇 be less harsh on you. In my case, I had family; they showed me how the trains and bus systems work, how to get my General Practitioner (GP), and other such things. Getting the hang of these things can be tough, and the knowledge that you鈥檙e alone in a new country can make it tougher. That鈥檚 why I quickly built a community.

Even with family, it was tough at first, and I had moments where I regretted leaving the good life I had built in Nigeria. But I snapped out of it, built a community, and everything has been a breeze since then.

That鈥檚 good to hear. What鈥檚 your favourite thing about the UK?

The structure is my favourite thing. The UK is full of opportunities, and the structure allows you to see them. Nigeria also has opportunities, but lacks the structure that makes UK opportunities so visible. Structure and opportunities are the top two things for me.

That makes sense. What鈥檚 your least favourite thing?

It鈥檚 the cold. I know the UK is not as cold as Canada, but the cold is a lot. There鈥檚 also the occasional loneliness and the fact that I鈥檓 far from family and friends.

On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate life in the UK?

I鈥檒l give it a solid eight. There鈥檚 still a lot I’m building and figuring out, but I鈥檓 in a place where I can grow and become the person I鈥檝e always envisaged. In my short time in the UK, I鈥檝e been able to achieve some of my goals thanks to the clear opportunities here. You can be whatever you want to be in the UK. Your dreams are attainable here if you put in the work. There鈥檚 structure to support those dreams.

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(30) spent his early years in the UK for medical treatment, so returning in 2018 for a master鈥檚 felt like a fresh start in a familiar place. In this story, he shares great tips for building community and making friends through activities and social clubs, the pain of being so far away when his grandfather passed, and why he keeps putting off his return to Nigeria.

Where do you live currently, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I live in the United Kingdom (UK), currently and I am based in Manchester. I left Nigeria in August 2018.

I was quite sick as a child, so I spent some of my formative years here, getting treatment. I moved back to Nigeria when I was about five years old. After my treatment, I still had to come over once in a while, for maybe a month or two at a time, for follow-ups and to visit family.

What inspired your move in 2018?

I came to do my master’s; it was a bit of a fresh start. Part of it was because my dad was panicking a bit about my future. I was pleasantly surprised when he offered to pay for my master鈥檚, so I took the opportunity.

I think he wasn’t really sure about my career path because I was doing some writing and working in a few Nollywood and media productions here and there. He wanted a bit more structure for me and was worried about my future, so he suggested I get my master鈥檚 in something a bit more formal. I was already somewhat frustrated in Nigeria, so I thought, 鈥淲hy not?鈥�

When did you finish your master鈥檚?

I did a pre-degree programme for about a year, and then I finished my master鈥檚 in early 2021.

But you stayed in the UK after that. What’s behind that decision?

I quite like it here, to be honest. I鈥檝e built a decent community, and I like the country鈥檚 structure and organisation. I鈥檓 pretty happy here, though I do get homesick quite a lot. I鈥檓 very close to my family, particularly my dad and my brother. I miss them, but I also have some family in the UK and very good friends. Even if I move to Nigeria, I think there will still be a bit of a push and pull.

What was life like for you before you left Nigeria in 2018?

I was working as a production assistant on a few Nollywood movies, ad shoots, and things like that. I鈥檓 a big film buff, so a dream of mine at the time was to be the Nigerian equivalent of Christopher Nolan. In my head, I was going to change the game.

But I realised it was extremely tough work and I didn’t have the patience at the time to be a director. I used to be hypercritical of Nollywood, but after working on a few productions, the constraints they faced made me a bit more sympathetic. I realised it isn’t as easy as it seems from the outside. There are a lot of forces and moving pieces that make it much harder than I thought. I needed to give them more credit.

Let’s talk about life in the UK. What was your experience when you first arrived?

When I first arrived, I was a bit nervous. I had ties back in Nigeria and people I really cared about, so I knew I was going to miss them. I was a bit anxious at first, but then I started to settle. I made friends in my programme, and I already had quite a few friends from Nigeria who had moved to the UK. Honestly, I鈥檝e always been a bit of a social butterfly, so that part wasn’t hard.

What kind of activities do you get up to?

If you really get involved with social clubs, you鈥檒l easily have an exciting life in the UK. There鈥檚 also a lot of opportunity and ease to travelling across the UK and also Europe in a way we haven鈥檛 figured out in Nigeria. I鈥檝e really enjoyed exploring here. My friends even call me “waka-about.”

What tips would you give to someone looking to have fun in the UK?

There are social clubs and things people need to try out. It鈥檚 hard to make friends in adulthood, but just know there are other people also looking for community. You have to put yourself out there. You might even have to start doing things you didn’t normally do before. For example, I got into fitness, running, and hiking.

Nigerians like movies, so you can join a movie club. Some people do painting clubs. There are a ton of things to do. Parties are also great for socialisation, but you鈥檒l mostly find those in bigger cities like London, Manchester, or Birmingham, and you have to be willing to spend a bit of money.

You mentioned you love exploring Europe. What鈥檚 your favourite and least favourite country you鈥檝e visited?

My favourite was Italy. I found it so beautiful, and the weather was warm. It finally hit me how Italy makes so much of the world’s wine. You don’t really get it until you’re there and see vineyards stretching for miles. You can drive for an hour and only see vast vineyards.

My least favourite country was Amsterdam. It鈥檚 not bad, but my friends and I walked past the Red Light District, and I found it a bit off-putting. I know it鈥檚 a big tourist attraction, but I found it really strange. I was like, “Yeah, I don’t want to see this again.”

You’ve been in the UK for several years now. Do you feel you’ve hit the milestones in your plan?

I鈥檓 not close to the milestones, I won鈥檛 lie. A part of me is still thinking I need to come back to Nigeria at times. I have career and personal milestones I need to hit. Compared to what 20 or 25-year-old me thought, I鈥檓 not quite where I want to be in my career, though I鈥檓 making some strides.

I thought I鈥檇 be married by 28, with maybe a kid on the way at 30. That doesn’t quite seem to be on the cards right now, but we鈥檒l see.

Are there downsides to the move?

It depends on your situation. I鈥檒l be honest and say my family back in Nigeria is pretty comfortable. If I鈥檓 out of a job for a month or two, I can live with a family friend for short periods until I鈥檓 back on my feet. Not everybody has that luxury, and the UK can be a bit tough if you don鈥檛 have support.

Overall, I feel safer and more stable here than in Nigeria, despite being more privileged in Nigeria.

Have you been back to Nigeria since 2018?

Of course. I try to come back most Christmases. I think I鈥檝e been back for five or six so far. I didn’t make it the first year I moved in 2018, because I moved in August and coming back in December was too soon. The second time I missed it was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The third time, my dad decided to surprise me, my brother, and my mom in the UK, so we spent it here instead of travelling back. It was a cool surprise, but after a day or two, I think we all would have preferred to be in Nigeria instead.

Do you have a favourite December experience?

My favourite one was probably 2019. It was just really fun. I just remember non-stop fun. I don’t know what was in the water that December; it was just a great time. My close friend鈥檚 wedding also added to the fun.

What are your go-to activities when you visit Nigeria?

I have a love-hate relationship with Nigerian concerts. I do enjoy certain artists’ concerts because they tend to start on time and have decent opening acts and sound. But I have such a strong beef with some Nigerian artists because they won鈥檛 come out until around 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Aren’t you tired yourself? I find it exhausting.

I like plays, so I鈥檒l go to as many as I can. And I also love attending weddings. I enjoy raves too, although the last time I went in December, I was tired by 3:00 a.m., even though it went on for three more hours. I realised maybe I鈥檓 getting to the age where it鈥檚 time to hang it up.

Of course, I鈥檒l catch up with friends, and I really like my family a lot, so I enjoy spending time with them.

My palette has completely adapted to English food and cuisine, but I still enjoy Nigerian food. The only struggle is managing my fitness when I get back to Nigeria because I love food. I have to work out a lot to keep the weight down. In Nigeria, if I don’t wake up super early to run, it gets very humid and hot, which ruins the running experience.

Do you ever see yourself moving back to settle in Nigeria?

I honestly should have moved back about two or three years ago. I think I鈥檓 procrastinating moving back, and all my friends are tired of me saying it.

My dad wants me to work for him, but I鈥檓 not sure I want to do that, and I also have some of my own things going on. I don’t want to completely rely on him. I know I sound like a typical nepo baby who wants to do their own thing, but I really do want to have my own things going.

How do you feel about the political shift in the West and the rise in anti-immigrant sentiments?

It kind of ebbs and flows. I just wish there were more bold leadership instead of people scapegoating immigrants. There is a cost to immigration that was not calculated, like planning for assimilation and building cultural bonds. Instead, there has been an emergence of enclaves.

I won鈥檛 say I feel unsafe, but it is worrying. I feel like no one knows the direction to lead the country, and because of that, they blame immigrants. That conversation has been avoided for a long time, and anti-immigrant groups take advantage of it. If people in power were honest about mistakes made in the initial immigration policy and had a conversation about fixing it, it would be better.

But in the UK, it is still mostly rhetoric. People are not firebombing things or attacking immigrants in the streets en masse. We still have strong structural protections in place that protect you from overt racism. It鈥檚 not great, but it鈥檚 not the end of the world. I just wish for smarter leadership to get the country going.

What has been your worst experience in the UK?

When my granddad passed away in Nigeria. I just wish I were there when he passed. He was my paternal granddad, and we were really close. I thought we鈥檇 have more time to talk and see each other. That鈥檚 the cost of living in another country.

Thank God for technology; in previous generations, once you immigrated, those people were out of sight and out of mind for years. Technology has bridged the gap, but it鈥檚 not the same as being able to see someone and hug them and tell them you love them face-to-face. Not being there for his funeral made me really sad. He was a warm and funny man who really cared about me.

Sorry for your loss. What has been your best experience?

It wasn’t down to one thing, but probably 2024 and 2025 in Manchester. I was just having a blast. I had this really great friend group, and we spent all our time together. My life became like a season of Friends; we鈥檇 see each other three or four times a week. My job wasn’t too bad, I was travelling as much as I wanted, and I was in a very good mental space. I was really happy. I took my fitness seriously and started running. It felt like everything was just going right.

What are your favourite and least favourite things about the UK?

I hate the weather from September to March when it gets cold, grey, and dark. It鈥檚 expensive at times. It鈥檚 less communal; sometimes it鈥檚 nice that people mind their own business, but I miss that communal feeling in Nigeria.

My favourite thing is definitely my friends. I love my friends. I also really love the UK in the summer, from May to August. There are so many festivals, art events, and theatre. It isn’t free, and it eats into my savings, but I have great memories.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in the UK?

I think overall, I鈥檒l give my stay here an eight and a half out of ten. But at this moment, it鈥檚 a seven.

Some of my really close friends left Manchester, so that was heartbreak. My brother also moved back to Nigeria. We are really close, so I miss him a lot. And more money鈥攎uch more money would help. If my friends were back in town and I had more money, it would be a ten.

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Stephanie (29) planned to further her studies about six years after school. But that plan came crashing down after she suffered a traumatic loss. In this story, she shares how she went to the UK rather hurriedly, how she settled in and how she鈥檚 now thriving.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I鈥檓 currently living in the United Kingdom (UK). I left Nigeria in January 2023.

What inspired your decision to move?

I had always wanted to further my education abroad, but the catalyst to my decision was the death of my father. I lost my dad in 2022, but by 2023, I still hadn鈥檛 moved past it. I couldn鈥檛. I decided I needed a change of environment and that I needed to channel my energy and efforts into something that would help me manage the grief.

And so, even though I initially planned to work for about five years after my bachelor鈥檚 degree before getting a master鈥檚, I had to speed it up. That was how I ended up in the UK.

Oh my. I鈥檓 so sorry to hear about your dad

Thank you.

What course did you study for your master鈥檚?

I did my master鈥檚 in Project Management at in Leeds, England.

What was the financing like?

It was self-funded, and I strongly advise against it. I only had to do it because of the circumstances surrounding my decision. I encourage people to do their own research to see the array of options out there and then determine which is most suitable for them. That鈥檚 exactly why I decided to share my story on this edition of 1000 Ways To Japa.

How did you find out about Leeds Beckett University?

I found the school myself. I did the hard work of researching things because I was particular about where I was going to live. I鈥檓 not a country girl; I was really keen on a city that was not too busy, but comfortable enough to give me what I wanted. I wanted a small city.

I found a couple of schools in cities that ticked my boxes, and I applied. Leeds Beckett was one of them. I got the admission, and the rest is history.

What other qualities were you looking for?

Before I chose Leeds Beckett, I read reviews online about them, went through their curriculum to see if the classes they offer under my chosen course aligned with what I wanted to learn and what I needed at that point in my life.

I also spoke to a representative of the school, whom I asked a couple of questions, and I reached out to some of their alumni on LinkedIn with questions, which helped give me insight into the school鈥檚 culture and the overall experience of studying there. These things helped me make up my mind. Both the school representative in Nigeria and the alumni were kind and super helpful with the process.

That鈥檚 nice

Yes. When I had a bit of a hiccup with my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the school鈥檚 representative pursued it for me and helped me get in right on time for my visa application.

What were your classes like?

It wasn鈥檛 anything strenuous. I was required to be on campus three days a week, and two days some weeks. A handful of times, our classes were rescheduled and held online, but it wasn鈥檛 a fixed thing; it was based on contingencies like a train strike or a disruption on the road. 

That sounds fair. What was the application process like?

I applied online after I had gotten all the answers I needed. As I mentioned earlier, the school鈥檚 representative was quite helpful throughout the process.

One of the things I submitted was a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The SOP is a detailed essay where you get to explain why you want to pursue your master鈥檚 (or any other degree) at the school, as well as why you have chosen a specific course.

I was a Product Manager back in Nigeria. So, while applying, I explained in detail what Project Management meant to me, particularly in regard to how it鈥檇 enable me to gain certain leadership, resource management, and time management skills.

I also ensured, while writing, that I presented myself as someone who has done due diligence on the school, so they have a mental image of someone who is fully committed to success. I noted some of the feedback I got from the alumni of the school, why I wanted to study there, why I wanted to be in the city, how drawn I am to the school鈥檚 cultural diversity, some of the things I hope to achieve and how I hope to give back through active participation in the school鈥檚 cultural activities, membership of some of its societies and communities, particularly its diversity community.

After I submitted my SOP, the school offered me a conditional offer to apply for my CAS. It took about a month for me to get it, and I think it was largely due to the influx of applications during my time.

Anyhow, I couldn鈥檛 apply for a visa without a CAS from the school, so I waited till it came. When it finally came, I applied for my visa and got it in about two weeks.

What were the requirements for the visa?

I was required to present my passports, proof of funds, CAS document, and my National Identification Number (NIN). I also had to do a mandatory tuberculosis test and present proof that I had made some form of payment to the school. My school鈥檚 requirement was for a 50% down payment, while some schools accepted 15%, 20%, and 25%; I already knew this from research, but I didn鈥檛 mind because I really wanted to go to that school.

Can you remember how much the entire process cost you?

The cost has increased for sure. At the time, Leeds Beckket was offering a 3% discount to applicants from countries like Nigeria, which reduced my school fees. There were my flight ticket, visa fees, and other things I can鈥檛 quite remember. Altogether, I estimate the entire process of coming to the UK cost me about 拢8,000- 拢10,000.

Did you use a travel agent for the process?

I did everything myself. It looked doable, so I didn鈥檛 think I needed to pay someone else to do it. It also helped that the school鈥檚 representative in Nigeria created a WhatsApp group for applicants in the country to communicate and help each other with frequently asked questions. In the group, you鈥檇 find that a lot of your questions had already been asked by someone else and that they had been answered thoroughly. 

The application process is honestly not that difficult. As long as you鈥檙e a person who is not afraid to ask questions. You鈥檒l find that people are willing to help for free. Also, do your research; that helps.

Do you recommend Leeds Beckett to people looking to study in the UK?

Yes, I absolutely do. In addition to its multicultural nature, the school often organised a lot of self and career-building events where they invite companies to come talk to students about the entailments of certain job roles as well as other careers we can venture into with our certificates.

I spoke with representatives from different companies, from banking and construction to the force and police, and tech. I told them what I did back in Nigeria, the course I was studying, and what I want to do afterwards. I also asked them how I could get my foot in the door. I got lots of helpful tips from them. Those events were so helpful; they opened my eyes and showed me the possibility of returning to my career field, Product Management.

Some companies also offered things like paid internships for people doing more technical courses, like software development, and others to gain practical experience.

That鈥檚 really nice. Did you say you had a career in Product Management?

Yes, I did. I was a Product Manager in Nigeria, but I did a master鈥檚 in Project Management here. I see how that can be confusing. I chose to do it because there were no Product Management courses at the time, and it was the closest thing to the field I already had a career in.

What do you currently do?

I鈥檓 a Product Manager.

Awesome. What visa are you currently on?

I鈥檓 currently on a graduate visa. The UK gives student visa holders two years after their studies to gain work experience, but I hear it鈥檚 now been changed to 18 months. You鈥檙e supposed to find a visa that鈥檒l keep you here more permanently if your goal is to stay. You can get either a work visa, a Tier One visa like the global talent visa, or a spousal visa if you happen to find love.

What is the UK work culture like?

While I was still studying for my master鈥檚, I did some part-time jobs to provide for myself. From a teaching assistant, supermarket assistant, to an event steward. The experience was different then than it is now that I鈥檓 working a full job in my field. 

Working in the UK is amazing, particularly as a Product Manager, because I work cross-functionally: I not only get to mix with the teams, but also with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. From Asians, Caucasians, and Africans, it鈥檚 all so interesting.

When we meet outside of work and get into relaxing conversations, we find that we actually share similar experiences across cultures. It鈥檚 always a pleasant surprise to learn that people did, saw, or ate the same things you did growing up, even if they鈥檙e from across the world. One of the most memorable ones was our software engineer who grew up drinking Milo and pronounced it differently. Before that conversation, I always thought it was only Nigerians who drank it.

So, the blend of cultures is interesting both in their differences and similarities. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in that scene filled with people from different mindsets, different journeys, and everyone coming together to achieve our shared goal, which is building a product that works and serves its users.

That鈥檚 so beautiful

It is. Thank you.

What鈥檚 your favourite thing about the UK?

I love the blend of cultures and how efficient the system is. I also love how accessible opportunities are to everyone; as long as you know what you鈥檙e doing, it doesn鈥檛 matter who you are, you鈥檒l get the job.

Another thing I love is how respectful they are of your work experience from your home country. Everyone respects each other and works together. I know I’m far away from home, but the UK is gradually becoming a second home to me.

Lovely. So what’s your least favourite thing about the UK?

The cold. The UK is quite cold, and it was particularly chilly for me when I came because my school is in the north and the north is significantly colder than anywhere else here.

I came in January, and by February, I was already seeing heaps of snow. It was sweet in the first 2-3 days, and after that, I was begging the snow to stop. It was so cold, and it made everything messy.

If you鈥檙e coming here to live or study, especially in the north, please come prepared with jackets, socks, and gloves to stay warm. It鈥檚 quite important.

What鈥檚 your piece of advice for people looking to move to the UK?

I would like them to know that leaving Nigeria is not an instant success, but it eventually works out.

Secondly, it鈥檚 important to recognise that journeys differ; you might have it easier or harder, but that鈥檚 just how life goes. I didn鈥檛 realise this earlier; I had spoken to some of my friends who had it easier and believed it鈥檇 be the same for me.  It took me about three months to get a job, and in that time, I was changing naira to pounds to pay my bills, and it felt like I was bleeding; it hurt so much I considered going back home. But I stayed back, and it worked out. Everyone鈥檚 journey might not be the same, but it鈥檒l always work out; as long as you’re focused and you’re determined that you know where you’re going, you definitely come out smiling.

So keep learning. Meet people. Don’t be scared to meet people. Meet people, ask questions, create a community for yourself, and help each other. I鈥檝e lost count of the times I鈥檝e gotten help, like job referrals and interview prep from people I met on LinkedIn, at church, and in other places.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the UK in comparison to Nigeria?

It鈥檚 a 9.9. It鈥檇 have been a solid ten, but I miss my siblings and my mom. It might sound crazy, but I also miss the heat in Nigeria. 

Ah, the heat?

I do miss the heat. Trust me, you would too if you were here. I wish we could exchange weather. It鈥檚 the only thing I don鈥檛 like about living here. Other than that, it鈥檚 a ten. I remember watching UK movies back home and imagining myself living in the cities they were set in. It’s so thrilling that I get to live here and see them.

Love that for you. You鈥檙e having a great time. I wish you the best of luck

Thank you!

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Raphael (29) liquidated a successful pharmacy practice in Nigeria to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in England. In this story, he talks about life in England being faster, harder and more racially hostile than he expected. He also shares how he鈥檚 now found the perfect place for a Nigerian immigrant in Scotland.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Glasgow, Scotland. I left Nigeria in January 2023.

What inspired you to leave?

Honestly, I felt I knew who was going to win the 2023 election. Before I left, I managed a pharmacy practice, but the cost of living and the cost of drugs were going up. I knew that if the ruling party won the election, things were just going to get worse, and I was right.

What was life like before you left?

Life was good, and income was steady because people will always fall sick and need medication. But for me, pharmacy is about patient care, not just business. As time went by, patients who urgently needed medication would come in and wouldn鈥檛 be able to afford the drugs I had on the shelves. It was difficult having to turn people away.

Even for me, sourcing drugs became difficult. I would pay a certain amount for a medication, and when I came back to restock a couple of months later, the supplier would say the price had doubled. It just wasn’t making financial sense anymore, so I decided to liquidate.

How did you end up going abroad?

I moved to England first on a study visa for a master’s degree. After my studies, I relocated to Scotland because I got a job there that gave me a work visa.

How did friends and family react to your decision to leave Nigeria?

My friends were happy for me because I had told most of them, even before I started applying to schools in the United Kingdom (UK), that I wanted to leave. So they were really happy for me when I got the opportunity to go. It was different from my parents. They were not really on board at first. But they eventually became supportive. I think now they鈥檙e very glad I left because of how much worse things have gotten in Nigeria. If I were still there, I don’t think I could even afford to leave now.

How did you handle the tuition and living costs?

I had paid about 70% of my fees before moving, and when I moved, it was still relatively easy to get a job. I arrived in January and got a job by mid-February. The cost of living in the UK was also lower then. I worked as a pharmacy assistant for a while and then started working in physiotherapy before joining the National Health Service (NHS).

How many years did you spend in England, and what was it like?

I spent about two and a half years in England. It wasn鈥檛 too bad, but I am quite introverted, so I don鈥檛 think I experienced everything it had to offer. Between the academic pressure and trying to stay afloat financially, I didn’t have the time to do as much as others might.

What was your social life like in England?

Social life was good. I made friends in and out of school. I was also fortunate because many of my friends from pharmacy school had already left Nigeria. Barely two weeks after I arrived, I walked into a store to do some shopping and ran into a friend from school. I knew he鈥檇 left Nigeria earlier, but I didn’t know he was in the same city. So having people like that around me really helped me adjust faster.

91大神鈥檚 HERtitude is back this April 2026. Grab your tickets .

Was there any hesitation when you decided to move from England to Scotland?

None at all. I was working in the National Health Service (NHS), but immigration rules in England were starting to change. I  started applying for jobs in Scotland because I found from my research that the cost of living is cheaper and the pay is marginally better. When I got a job offer with a work visa, it was a no-brainer. I packed my bags and ran. That was in July 2025.

How does life in England differ from life in Scotland?

Life in England is fast, and life in Scotland is very, very slow in comparison. Moving here was a breath of fresh air because I take things easier now. You don’t have to run around as you do in London.

Also, the immigration sentiment is different. You experience more anti-immigration sentiment and racist issues in England. Scotland, in contrast, is very welcoming. I was on a train wearing my Nigerian jersey once, and two Scottish men walked up to me to talk about Victor Osimhen. In England, you鈥檒l be in the same situation, and there鈥檒l be someone just staring at you like they’d stab you if they had a knife.

I鈥檝e seen people on social media say people shouldn鈥檛 come to the UK on a study visa. But they need to realise the UK isn鈥檛 only England. In Scotland, things are different. If you study the right thing, you鈥檒l settle easily in Scotland even if you come on a study visa. Scotland is not as competitive as England. There isn’t as much pressure, and the cost of living is cheap. If you’re looking for a UK destination, choose Scotland.

Without a strong support system, England might break you. But Scotland is slower, easier, and cheaper. I love it here.

Interesting. What is your current job?

I work as a physiotherapy assistant practitioner in critical care and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It鈥檚 mostly rehab work. Some days are tense, but I enjoy them. It鈥檚 given me a new perspective on patient care.

How did you switch from pharmacy to physiotherapy?

To practice as a pharmacist in the UK, you have to run a specific program. Only a few schools offer it, and there was a massive backlog. I was so intent on leaving Nigeria that I wasn’t patient enough to wait for an offer. I took an offer for a master’s programme that wasn鈥檛 in pharmacy, and that meant I couldn’t practice pharmacy immediately. I started in the NHS as a physiotherapy support worker, got some certifications, and eventually applied for my current role in Scotland.

Do you plan to return to pharmacy eventually?

Definitely. I renew my Nigerian pharmacy license every year, even though I don’t use it. I even plan to write the Canadian pharmacy exams this year. I intend to return to pharmacy practice eventually.

Have you been back to Nigeria since you left?

I haven’t. I might visit for a quick trip in the future, but I don’t see myself relocating permanently back to Nigeria for now. Maybe after Tinubu, if Nigeria’s fortunes begin to turn around.

What is your support system like in Scotland?

I have family and friends, and even my manager at work is very supportive. I work Monday to Friday, so weekends are mostly for resting and recovering before going back on Monday.

What do you do for fun in Glasgow?

As an introvert, my work colleagues usually drag me out for drinks or dinner. Sometimes I go to the movies or just stay home and play FIFA on my TV.

What were your biggest culture shocks?

Just how orderly everything is here compared to Nigeria. The cost of living was also a shock. I realised there are things here that we pay about five times the price for in Nigeria. And the minimum wage is actually enough for a person to comfortably survive on.

What has been your worst experience since moving?

Back in England, I once went out wearing just a hoodie and didn’t check the weather. It snowed all day, and I waited for my bus for four hours. By the time I got home, I almost had frostbite. It was only a few days after I arrived in the UK, and I didn’t know that a hoodie wasn’t enough protection from the snow, especially for someone coming from a hot country like Nigeria. You need to have a winter jacket.

What about your best experience?

Moving to Scotland has been a great experience for me. My time in England was crazy with constant planning and strategising. Since moving here, I can wake up and take life at my own pace. The past ten months have been really good for me.

What is your favourite thing about Scotland?

Most people are welcoming, and life feels slow-paced and relaxed. It鈥檚 perfect for someone like me.

And your least favourite?

The weather. It鈥檚 very cold.

Do you see Scotland as home for the long-term?

I鈥檒l say, for the short to medium term, Scotland is home. Whether I鈥檓 here long-term depends on how the immigration rules change.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Scotland?

I鈥檇 say a nine out of ten. When the summer comes, and the weather gets better, it will be a ten.

Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me . For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).

When Vincent (28) developed a passion for Sustainable Development Goals SDGs), he knew his best shot at building a successful career was a master鈥檚 abroad, so he worked hard and got a scholarship. In this story, he shares his processes, his journey and how he later landed his dream job in Germany.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Munich, Germany, but when I left Nigeria, it was for Paris, and it was in 2021. 

What inspired your decision to move?

I was (and still am) passionate about  Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), so I was primarily motivated by the desire to pursue a career in that path and partly by the wave of sadness that hit everyone after the outcome of the #EndSARS protests the previous year, 2020.

So, those were the reasons I left Nigeria to do a master鈥檚 abroad.

What did you study?

I studied International Management and Sustainability at University.

That鈥檚 nice. How did you fund your studies?

I got a 75% scholarship and made up for the rest.

What scholarship was that, and how did you find out about it?

The scholarship is called the , and it鈥檚 quite an interesting way how I discovered it; I heard about the opportunity through the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship, which I had initially applied for.

MasterCard Foundation usually partners with select schools for its scholarship. At the time, they had partnerships with schools in Europe. I wanted to study on the continent, so I submitted most of my applications to schools there. Sciences Po was one of them.

My application for the MasterCard Foundation scholarship didn鈥檛 turn out successful, but it had also been a blessing because I heard about my school through them, and they indirectly paid for my application.

How so?

After the MasterCard Foundation scholarship reviews your application, it gives you the go-ahead to apply to your school of choice, and it鈥檒l pay for the application fee to enable you to seek admission there. If your admission is successful, you go back to MasterCard for further review of your application, then wait for a shortlist of your name if you made it.

I didn鈥檛 make the shortlist, but I had been admitted by the school board at Sciences Po. I deferred my admission by one year and applied again to the MasterCard Foundation scholarship. I still wasn鈥檛 successful. But then, I learned through people that there were other scholarships in France that I could access since I wanted to study there. I found out about the , applied and got a 75% scholarship. 

This is such a nice turn of events. Love it for you.

It was. Thank you.

So, what was the application process like? 

It was rather straightforward. Much more straightforward than the MasterCard application process. I don鈥檛 recall writing any essays, which was something I experienced when I applied to different scholarships, not just MasterCard.

For Emile Boutney, I was asked to upload certain documents, and that was it.

What were the required documents?

They asked for a degree certificate to show I had indeed obtained a bachelor’s degree, as I said I had. They also asked for my transcripts and a few other documents I can鈥檛 quite recall. But I remember it being so seamless. I think it was the only application I was able to start and finish in one day. I remember sitting in my brother鈥檚 room finishing it in one sitting.

After the submission, what’s next?

Once the documents get to the school, they review them and decide what percentage of scholarship to award the applicant鈥� 75%, 40%, or 30%. There was no fully funded scholarship from that organisation at the time.

How long did it take to hear back from them?

It actually took a while to hear back from them. So much so that I had forgotten I applied. I was getting rejections from the scholarships I applied to, so I tried to apply to as many as possible. Emile Boutney was one of them. It also wasn鈥檛 top of mind for me because I really wanted a fully funded scholarship, and they weren鈥檛 offering one.

When the scholarship came, I had to seek advice from other people and also weigh my options. Deciding to go with it wasn鈥檛 an easy choice considering the exchange rate at the time, but honestly, I am so glad I made that choice.  

That鈥檚 nice. What was the visa application like?

The visa process wasn鈥檛 so tedious. I got help from, a French Agency in Nigeria, which assists Nigerian students intending to study in France.

I took my offer letter to Campus France, and they provided guidance on the entire visa process. I wasn鈥檛 particularly alone. Campus France held my hand throughout the process; they do the same for everyone. 

What documents were you asked to bring for the visa?

If I recall correctly, I was asked to bring my International Passport, proof of funds and my offer letter (to prove I had indeed gained admission and was headed there to study). It took about one month to get my visa.

Can you remember how much the entire process cost you?

I can make an estimate, and this would be based on the exchange rate at the time. If you鈥檙e talking about how much it cost me to move to Paris and fund the rest of my studies, I鈥檇 say 鈧�3.6 million. But I encourage people to do their own research, as the economy has drastically changed since then and the exchange rate with it.

Tell me about your experience at Scienses Po? Do you recommend it?

I fully recommend Scienses Po. It鈥檚 a top global school for political sciences and social sciences. In terms of alumni power, career opportunities, global reputation, and diversity,  the school is up there. I definitely, definitely recommend. 

How did you navigate your classes, seeing as you come from an English-speaking country?

All my compulsory courses were taught in English. There was the option of English and French for the electives. I also had language classes four hours per week, so I picked up French along the way. I am so fluent that it鈥檚 become my second language.

What鈥檚 your advice to people looking to get this scholarship or something similar?

I advise everyone to do their own research. We live in an era where information is easily accessible, even more so with the advent of AI tools. Take your time to do some research; do not outsource your research and application to third parties. I understand how things can be in Nigeria, but do not be in a hurry; take your time and do the work yourself. Ask the right questions, compare, contrast, and weigh your options carefully. 

It鈥檚 also important to have a plan. I know things do not always go according to plan, but have one regardless. Having a plan would typically come from being knowledgeable and grounded about certain things, and also being eligible for them. All of these tie back to doing the job of research by yourself. Having vast knowledge will help you decide what鈥檚 best for you.

Be one step ahead and opportunity-ready as well. In my case, I knew I had to have an International passport, so I got one about two years before I started applying for scholarship opportunities. Have your transcripts and important documents ready, too.

So, Germany, how and when did you move there?

I finished my master鈥檚 programme in mid 2024 and moved to Germany in March 2025. I worked a bit in Paris, doing consulting. But I was also applying for jobs, and I didn鈥檛 limit myself to France; I applied to organisations outside of the country and got one in Germany, so I moved. I currently work in Sustainable Finance.

That鈥檚 so cool. Were you still on the student visa when you left?

Yes, I was. The visa was still valid at the time. I moved to Germany on a work visa, and that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 currently on.

What鈥檚 Germany鈥檚 work visa like?

It鈥檚 not a permanent thing; it has to be renewed. But unlike the student visa, which has limitations, it allows you to work any number of hours you鈥檇 like and do other things as well.

What鈥檚 it like living in Germany?

I am relatively new here, but thankfully, they speak English and have a lot more people open to speaking English than in France. So, even though I only started learning German,  it鈥檚 been easy to integrate. 

I also have hobbies like track and field. I鈥檓 part of a run club, and that has helped with my integration. I have a solid work-life balance, so I can鈥檛 complain. Life has been good here. 

That鈥檚 lovely. What鈥檚 your favourite thing about Germany?

I like that I鈥檓 able to pursue my hobbies and have an identity outside of work; I don鈥檛 take that for granted, so it鈥檚 what I love the most about Germany. 

Another thing is how easy it is to move around in Germany. My monthly transportation pass, for instance, enables me to go to cities within the country and a few European countries.

I also enjoy German cuisine and try it whenever I鈥檓 out.

So, yes, I love all these things and also love that I鈥檓 surrounded by people who have my best interest at heart.

On a scale of one to ten, please rate life in France and Germany

I will give France a solid eight. If you鈥檙e a student in France under the age of 26, you get to enjoy crazy benefits. I got rent support from the French government, my transportation was also subsidised, and so were groceries. I could go to a restaurant and get a solid meal for one euro because I was a student. Life was good there.

I suspect I鈥檇 have rated France lower because I was a student my entire stay and would have had to experience life there without those benefits.

For Germany,  I鈥檓 inclined to give it an 8.5 even though I鈥檝e only been here a year. I think my rating is biased by how safe my city is. In my first week here, I lost my wallet, which had all my bank accounts, on a train and did not realise until two days later. Someone found it, and I was able to retrieve it with everything intact.

That sounds great. I wish you the best of luck in Germany

Thank you.

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Gbenga* (24) spent his usual monthly budget for fuel on just a week鈥檚 supply due to a combination of poor power supply and a sudden fuel hike. When he discovered his generator had a fault, he called the technician his family has used for almost ten years. He had no idea that a war happening thousands of miles away would cause a man he thought he knew so well to rob him.

This is Gbenga鈥檚 story as told to Franklyn

I finally understand why people don’t trust all these artisans. What this man did really pissed me off. You think you know someone and can trust them, only for them to betray you.

I know what I went through just to get fuel that morning. The stations near my house didn鈥檛 have any. I had to take a 鈧�500 bike ride just to find a station with fuel. Then, on getting there, the pump price almost made me go mad.

Context Break: A War in the Gulf is Affecting Fuel Price in Nigeria 

On February 28, 2026, , sparking a huge conflict in the Gulf region that鈥檚 led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage that鈥檚 also world’s most important oil chokepoint. Normally, . Its closure has affected global fuel prices, and Nigeria has also felt that impact. Within days, petrol went from around 鈧�875 per litre to over 鈧�1,200, leaving many frustrated and desperate.

To make matters worse, the national grid is in shambles. About . But suppliers are closing the taps because the Generation Companies (Gencos) . The Gencos, in turn, are owed .

This debt chain means there isn’t enough money to keep the gas flowing, forcing Gencos to ration power supply across the country. As unbelievable as it sounds, if these debts aren鈥檛 settled soon, the blackouts could become even worse.

I ended up getting fuel of over 鈧�50,000. That鈥檚 normally what I鈥檒l spend for a month. We鈥檝e barely had light these days, so we鈥檙e using the generator a lot more than before. I already knew the 鈧�50,000 fuel would probably only last a week. That frustration was on one side, then another thing came up.

I got home, and the generator wouldn鈥檛 start. It had gotten faulty due to constant usage.

We called our usual technician. This man has been fixing our generators for about ten years now. It was just my dad and me at home, and my dad wasn鈥檛 feeling well, so he was sleeping in his room. I was the one who had to keep an eye on the technician. But like I said, we鈥檝e known this man forever, so there was trust there.

I showed him where we kept the generator on the balcony. I also asked that he tell me when he was done, so I鈥檒l come fuel the gen and have him test it. We have the fuel kegs on the balcony, too, with the generator.

I work remotely. So once he鈥檇 settled in to start working, I went back inside to my workstation setup in the living room. I should have suspected something when this man didn鈥檛 call me when he was done. He just turned on the generator himself. I reminded him that I said he should call me to fuel the gen before turning it on. He casually told me he had fueled it himself.

I went to check and saw he had given the generator a full tank. While I was out there on the balcony, my eyes strayed to his slightly open bag, and I saw an engine oil bottle. It was the exact brand we use, but I didn鈥檛 really give it much thought then.

I paid him, saw him to the door, and came back to clean up the balcony. I knew we had two empty bottles of engine oil out there, but now I could only find one. That鈥檚 when it started to click. I checked the fuel keg, and it was a lot lighter than it should be, even after giving the gen a full tank.

It dawned on me that this man, whom I鈥檝e known for so long, had stolen our fuel, poured it into one of the empty engine oil bottles and left with it. Fuel that I struggled to buy. I was so vexed.

I know things are hard and fuel is like gold now, but has it gotten to stealing? And it鈥檚 not as if he wasn鈥檛 paid for his work. This man has been working with my family for almost a decade, so it鈥檚 not as if it鈥檚 someone new. I was so disappointed.

We want to hear about your personal experiences that reflect how politics or public systems affect daily life in Nigeria. Share your story with us 鈥攚e鈥檇 love to hear from you!

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Gerry (25) always wanted to get a master鈥檚 abroad. But about two years into Tinubu鈥檚 regime, he decided the time was now. In this story, he talks about life in Scotland鈥檚 Aberdeen, the exciting whims he鈥檚 indulged, and his plans for the future.

听听

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

Currently, I鈥檓 in Aberdeen, Scotland. I left Nigeria in January of 2025.

What inspired you to leave Nigeria?

Honestly, for lack of a better word, I just wanted fresh air. I always knew I would get a master鈥檚 degree at some point, and with Tinubu in power now, I felt it was time to initiate my escape from the country. I decided to go abroad for my master鈥檚, and to leverage it to move to whichever country my heart deems fit after I鈥檓 done.

Are you done with your master’s now?

Technically, I鈥檓 done. I鈥檓 in the process of turning in my dissertation. My graduation is just a few weeks away.

Congratulations. Scotland isn鈥檛 a popular destination for Nigerians I鈥檝e interviewed. Why did you choose it?

I鈥檓 surprised to hear that. Being here, you see the opposite鈥擲cotland is actually a prime destination for Nigerians. There are a lot of Nigerians here. In fact, sometimes, I  only interact with Nigerians for months on end.

I grew up in Port Harcourt, then spent my last two to three years in Nigeria in Lagos. And I preferred Port Harcourt, which is significantly quieter than Lagos. So I knew I needed a city that was just as quiet, hence why I chose Aberdeen.

Is Port Harcourt your favourite Nigerian city?

It鈥檚 actually Akure. I鈥檝e been around a lot of cities in Southern Nigeria, and Akure just stands out as a very fun place. I鈥檇 describe it as a perfect retirement city. Most of the businesses there cater for retirees and make people feel as relaxed as possible.

But the thing with people in their retirement era is that there are a lot of big birthdays and burial ceremonies. So if you’re looking for a type of fun that is very Nigerian but not Lagos-centric, Akure is a good place.

That鈥檚 very interesting. But how could you tell Aberdeen would be your type of city before you arrived?

I have a couple of relatives and very close family friends who have been here for over ten years.  That was where my insight came from.

It must have been great having that support when you arrived. But what were you up to in Nigeria before you left?

I worked in marketing. My master’s is also in marketing. I came to Lagos for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2022. After that, I got a job at a top marketing agency. I spent a little over a year there and then moved to a health tech startup in an executive position. At the same time, I had side contracts as well.

I lived what I鈥檇 describe as a very unbothered, soft life in Lagos. I wasn鈥檛 paying rent for the years I spent there, so all my income went into my personal needs. I was very independent.

Life in Lagos, as hectic as it was, was a very good career step. I knew I had to be there because that鈥檚 where all the big media and marketing work in Nigeria is done. So between 2022 and 2024, my life was basically all about work.

What was the experience like when you first arrived in Scotland?

When I landed in Aberdeen, it hit me, and I realised I may have made a big mistake. Aberdeen is really far up north on the map. It is a very cold city. So I鈥檇 arrived in London, and it wasn’t that cold, and there was no snow. Then I got on the plane to Aberdeen and slept throughout the 45-minute flight. I woke up to whiteness. Every building, the ground, everything was white with snow.

Climate-wise, they are like close cousins to Scandinavian countries. It’s similar to the weather you鈥檇 have in Norway. The mistake I鈥檇 made was that I was only wearing a sweatshirt. The first week was not a fun experience. I had to battle a horrible cold, and my body was struggling to adapt. But now I can walk out in the snow wearing just shorts.

How have you found social life in Aberdeen?

It鈥檚 not bad at all. You also don’t need a lot of money to relax here. Aberdeen is the sort of city where you can meet literally anybody if you鈥檙e the social type. There is a Nigerian club here called Club Lagos. There are enough Nigerian events that mirror the experience from back home, just in slightly higher quality. On a scale of one to ten, I鈥檒l give the social life in Aberdeen a solid nine.

What activities do you do to unwind in Aberdeen?

I like to go running and hiking on the hills here. There are lots of hills and mountains in Scotland. I鈥檝e been to the lake where the mythical Loch Ness monster supposedly is. It鈥檚 a hilly valley with a mountain range. It was weird realising there are mountains of over 2,000 feet in Scotland. I climbed one of the shorter ones, and it was a really fun hike.

Then there is the food. I think that is actually my go-to fun activity. In the last year, I think I鈥檝e tried practically 80 per cent of the restaurants here. I鈥檓 always dragging my friends to the new restaurants I want to try. They already know they don’t have a choice; once I decide we are going to a restaurant on the weekend, we are going.

What are you eating at these restaurants?

I do not like English or Scottish food. I don鈥檛 fancy it at all. I鈥檒l only eat it if my back is against the wall. They know, too, that their food is horrible, so they鈥檙e very welcoming of foreign food. There are so many Indian, Southeast Asian, Thai, Vietnamese, and Italian restaurants here. I鈥檝e even been to a Cambodian restaurant in Glasgow.

What is your favourite ethnic food?

Still Nigerian food. After that, I鈥檒l say Asian fast food.

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Have you been back to Nigeria since you left?

No, and I don’t intend to if it鈥檚 just for a visit. It鈥檚 just too much work. I鈥檒l have to take three flights to get to my father’s house in Port Harcourt. I don’t have it in me to take three flights right now. If it were possible to take just one flight, I would go easily.

I am open to moving back to Nigeria for work on a permanent basis. But not going back for fun because I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 any fun to be had in Nigeria.

What are your plans for the future?

I鈥檓 currently in the process of looking at what the short term looks like, but I鈥檓 horrible at short-term planning. Long term, if the UK is still an option in five years, the goal would be to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or a Global Talent visa. I鈥檇 use that as a bedrock to explore other countries, particularly Canada, for work opportunities.

What is your support system like in Aberdeen?

I have a very close-knit personal network that is surprisingly very female-driven. Most of my male friends here have moved to different cities. I also have the relatives and family friends I mentioned who have been here for decades.

How have you met new people?

I have met a bunch. A decent chunk of Nigerians live in my building; that was the first entry point. My university is also very African-centred, so I met Nigerians and Ghanaians there. As much as I鈥檓 not a social person, people are drawn to my personality, so I actually meet a lot of people. Mostly it’s through church, school, and work.

What culture shocks have you experienced so far?

“Culture shock” isn’t the right word for me because I was already conversant with Western society before leaving Nigeria. Nothing felt like a shock. But one thing that still surprises me is how everyone keeps in line while waiting for the bus. It might not be an orderly single file, but everyone knows who got to the bus stop first, and they signal to each other in that order when boarding.

Something I had to get used to quickly was that Aberdeen is a very cashless city. Everyone uses a card or Apple Pay. I arrived holding about 拢1,000 in 拢50 notes. That鈥檚 the highest denomination here, and the notes are rare to find because if you need to pay for something that much, people expect you to just make a transfer.

Have you experienced racism in Scotland?

I can鈥檛 say I have directly experienced it, but in certain situations, you feel it. For example, while working at a retail store, I noticed that all the higher-level staff were white, specifically Scottish whites. Systemically, you notice it takes a while to gain “trust” in corporate settings when you鈥檙e an immigrant.

But I think the closest thing to racism you鈥檒l see from a Scot is when they鈥檙e around English people. Scottish people generally don’t like English people; you can see the tension most when English people come to Aberdeen for a holiday in the summer.

What is your favourite and least favourite thing about Aberdeen?

My favourite thing is winter. My least favourite thing is also winter. They are great to look at, but horrible to experience.

What has been your worst experience in Scotland so far?

I haven’t really had a horrible or bad experience. The worst I can think of is my phone going off while I鈥檓 outside. But even then, I can just walk into any electrical or repair store and get it charged. If you are good at quick thinking, you won’t have many problems here. People are generally willing to help or guide you.

What has been your best experience?

There are quite a lot. I spent a weekend with a friend, seeing every major landmark in Aberdeen. We both had cameras and played a “colour game” where we looked for things of a particular colour in every region of the city and took pictures. It was a great, personalised city tour.

A runner-up would be going to Glasgow on a whim, then to Edinburgh for a concert, staying at someone’s house for dinner, and not returning home until Monday morning. That was a whole weekend across two cities in three nights.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Scotland?

A solid seven out of ten. It鈥檒l be complete when I get a proper job.

Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me . For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).

Obiageli Okafor (28) knew she had to leave Nigeria to get ahead in her chosen career. So when she made up her mind to study in the UK, she went for it. In this story, she shares how she got to the UK, her initial struggles, and how she鈥檚 settled into a beautiful life.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I live in London, United Kingdom (UK), and I left Nigeria in August 2022.

What inspired your decision to leave?

I was primarily inspired by my search for greener pastures and the need to further my studies. I was fresh into tech in 2022, and I knew I鈥檇 have to get a degree in a related field if I was going to succeed at it. It was especially important because I studied English Language and Literature at the University. So, I packed my bags, went to the UK and got a master鈥檚 in Digital Business Management. It was totally worth it. The best decision I ever made.

What school did you go to?

The University of Portsmouth.

Is it a school you鈥檇 recommend to someone looking to study in the UK?

I absolutely recommend it. One thing that most people who come to the UK to study look out for is flexible schools, and the University of Portsmouth was just that for me. Some schools, for instance, require students to come in five times a week, which isn鈥檛 really ideal for an immigrant. At my school, nearly all our classes were online, and we came to school once a week. Now, I hear it鈥檚 been changed to one week of physical classes in a whole semester.

Aside from the flexibility of the classes, there was a lot of support from my lecturers. It also has an employability centre that does just what its name suggests. They helped me revamp my CV, and they provided so many opportunities for me to pitch to investors when I did my project.

Location-wise, the school is also great, because it鈥檚 close to London and you can meet like-minded people. 

My lecturers have remained super helpful; they connect me with people in the industry, invite me to speak to students, and actually share my posts on LinkedIn.

So yes, I definitely recommend the University of Portsmouth for anyone looking to study here in the UK. 

That鈥檚 so nice. Were your studies self-funded or a scholarship?

It was self-funded, and I鈥檇 come to regret it later on. I wanted to leave Nigeria as fast as I could. I also wasn鈥檛 well-informed about available funding opportunities, so I missed out on them. I did a lot of meaningful work in the Abuja Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) space and would have gotten funding from Chevening and the likes if I had sought it.

My family and friends chipped in to support my studies, but I still had a hard time here, and I fully regretted my decision to self-fund. I strongly advise against that. I hadn鈥檛 paid all my fees when I got here, so at the point when I had about three months left to pay up, I was so pressed for funds that I started doing all sorts of jobs to keep up. I did support work and also filled shelves at a supermarket, among other jobs.

Again, I would not advise self-funding. Explore all your options, and explore all platforms to secure full or partial funding. Even the University of Portsmouth had something called the Vice Chancellor鈥檚 funding, but I didn鈥檛 apply because I came with the last batch of students. Please, do your research before coming.

So, what was the visa application process like for you?

I used a service called Intake, and it was so helpful. They assigned an agent to me whom I didn鈥檛 pay a dime to. He took care of everything in the application process; all I had to do was show up. The school already pays them, so I didn鈥檛 have to.

What specific documents were you asked to submit?

I remember this part of the documentation so well because it was quite stressful for me. Applicants are required to take a Tuberculosis test at a test centre in Ikeja. I remember waking up early to queue up for it. I came at 5 am and left at 5 pm.

You also have to submit all your transcripts and the original results of your West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). To get this, you need a scratch card from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) board.

Other things you need to submit are your degree certificates, your National Identification Number (NIN), your birth certificate, a certificate from your state of origin, a statement of account, and, proof of full or part payment for your school fees, and of course, your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which the school gives you after you apply to them. 

How long did it take you to get your visa?

It took me two weeks. It was quite fast. I started my process in May, and by June, I had my visa. Everything was just fast. I think this is why people choose the UK over Canada and the rest.

How was the application process to the school like?

There was no interview involved, although I hear they do that now.

What do you think the interview is about?

I think they鈥檇 ask questions that help them understand what you know about the school, the course you want to study there, and other such things.

What else were you required to do?

I had to write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) to show why I chose the course I want to study, my original school certificate and transcripts.

Are there any SOP tips you can share?

First of all, you should hype yourself up in your SOP. The school doesn’t know who you are, so that鈥檚 your opportunity to sell yourself and explain why they should pick you. Pour out your heart to them, and ensure you stay away from ChatGPT while doing so.

You start by writing out all the things you鈥檝e achieved, all the things that make you a superstar, then tie that to your course of choice. I was just starting in tech and worked for a Dubai-based company called Tafa Bot. Before then, I had produced shoes in Nigeria; I mentioned both and mentioned the revenue I made from it, then tied them to my course, Digital Business Management. After the initial draft, I sent it to people for proofreading and peer review.

In a nutshell, show them you鈥檙e a superstar who can do terrific things if given the opportunity. Make sure you end the SOP by telling them how impactful you intend to be when you get your degree; don鈥檛 lie or be vague about this; actually explain it.

Most schools have a quota for people of African descent, and this helps give everyone a fair shot.

Do you have general tips for people looking to move to the UK to study?

There are a couple. The first one is to reduce your expectations while coming here. Find people who already go to your school of choice and follow them on social media so you can get firsthand feedback about the school. I had a whole spreadsheet of people I had asked.

Look for people at the school who are on scholarship and ask questions so you can always be one step ahead, especially in terms of time. Also, reach out to lecturers at your school of choice to learn what to expect. I reached out to a lecturer from my school and got that information from him.

There are so many boards that help with scholarships; do well to find out about them.  Some social media accounts always post about them, so you can follow and monitor them closely. Lastly, research, research, and research.

We鈥檝e talked about how you got to japa. Let鈥檚 talk about how you stayed back. How long did it take you to get a job?

Before, people on a graduate visa had 2 years to find a job that would sponsor them, but that has been reduced to 18 months. Lucky for me, I never got there; ten months into my visa, I switched to the Global Talent Visa.

The graduate visa isn鈥檛 that great because it doesn鈥檛 count as your time to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It鈥檚 almost like you are in a state of limbo.

Love that for you! Let鈥檚 talk about the Global Talent Visa. How did you make that switch?

The Global Talent Visa is the best thing ever. It鈥檚 the kind of visa that lets you do everything. It’s literally like having a permanent residency in the UK. You can travel outside the UK for up to 180 days a year. It gives you so much freedom. You can open a business here and live and work in the UK without sponsorship.

There are two types: exceptional talent and exceptional promise. I鈥檓 under exceptional promise, so it鈥檒l take me five years to get my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is like Permanent Residency (PR). Those under exceptional talent only need three years to get their ILR.

To qualify for exceptional talent, you need to have more than five years of work experience. You need less than five years of work experience for exceptional promise. I had three at the time, so I was eligible. 

To be given the exceptional promise, you have to show that you鈥檙e a promising talent who will bring impact to the UK and will do exceptional things if given the opportunity. To be fair, I have proven myself time and time again in this country. I believe I鈥檝e done my share of impact and still intend to do more.

That鈥檚 beautiful. What was the application process like?

You have to gather evidence of your talent or promise. For exceptional promise, you have to submit at least ten pieces of evidence that show you are promising.

A body called refers you to the Home Office. So you first have to get through to Tech Nation; they will endorse you to the Home Office. After that, you do your biometric, pay your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee, and the Home Office will send you the visa.

So, you鈥檝e got your master鈥檚 and the global talent visa. What do you currently do?

I鈥檓 a Senior Product Manager (PM), and I鈥檓 the Chief Executive of , a nonprofit that helps people from underrepresented backgrounds break into product management.

PM Help helps people understand what product management is, among other crucial things. We created a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate the process, and we offer free certificates upon completion of learning. We have a community that helps people, that provides support, and we also do webinars and workshops where we teach things like vibe coding. We have an AI tool called a CV review tool that will review your CV and tell you what you can do, practical steps you can take to make your CV more product-oriented. There鈥檚 also our free interview prep that helps people prepare for interviews. We have something called product therapy, where people just come and vent about their frustrations with job hunting. We also place people on internships with our partner companies.

These sound nice.

We also have a general interview prep session and something called PM Buddy, a mentorship programme that matches 20 mentors with 20 mentees according to their strengths. They have a three-month cohort, just understanding how best to be a product person.

Curious, why are you offering them for free?

Because when I came here, I struggled, and nobody helped me; everyone wanted money, so I kept paying and paying. It was quite frustrating. When I finally got into the space, I realised I had paid for resources that were available online for free. If you go to our learning management system, you鈥檒l find that we literally use existing resources to craft a roadmap.

This is my social impact. It鈥檚 me giving back.

Really love it for you. So, what鈥檚 your favourite thing about the UK?

I live in London, and I think that鈥檚 my favourite part. Sometimes, I can鈥檛 believe I live here now, because we’ve read so much about it. London is a good mix of culture; you can literally meet anyone on the streets of London. 

It鈥檚 also a city that constantly challenges you to do better. It has redefined my thinking and reshaped me in a way. I used to be set in my ways, but I鈥檝e become more flexible since I came here. It鈥檚 also opened me up to so many opportunities, making it easier for me to travel to other parts of the world. It鈥檚 just great.

Nice. On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate the UK and why?

It鈥檚 a ten over ten for me. It鈥檚 such a multicultural place, and you never feel like you鈥檙e alone. It鈥檚 not perfect, but it鈥檚 better than most places, especially Nigeria, where I spent all my life. It鈥檚 safe, and most importantly, the system works. 

Sounds like you鈥檙e having a swell time. I wish you the best of luck

Thank you!

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91大神鈥檚 HERtitude is back this April 2026. Grab your tickets .

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