E-Jay (29) has lived in France and C么te d鈥橧voire before settling in Ghana. From pretending to like Shatta Wale to avoid trouble to having a traditional marriage with a Ghanaian woman, he tells us about navigating life as a Nigerian in Ghana and the things he misses about home.

Where do you live at the moment, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I live in Cape Coast, the capital of Ghana’s Central Region. I’m a curious person, so I鈥檝e moved around quite a bit. My first international trip was to France for tourism in November 2024. France felt like a European capital of Africa because of the large number of Africans living there.

After that, I moved to Abidjan, C么te d鈥橧voire, where I spent about a year despite being an English speaker. I’m now based in Ghana, where I don’t need a Google Translate app to communicate.

You’re quite the traveler. So, when did you arrive in Ghana?

That was April 2025.

Was leaving Nigeria always the plan?

Yes. I’ve always wanted to explore beyond Nigeria’s borders. I sometimes identify as a cosmopolitan.

What was life like in Nigeria before you relocated?

It was okay at a point. Before I left for France, there was a massive layoff at the New York-based tech company I worked for remotely. I thought I was immune because I was the creative director, but when the layoff letters came in, all the Nigerians were laid off.

I had literally sacked people myself before, but this time, I experienced what it felt like to be in their shoes. Then I had to deal with paying half a million naira in rent for a duplex in Osogbo without any income coming in. That became my next headache, and I realised there was nothing much Nigeria has to offer the youth.

Why do you say this?

For me, Nigeria is facing serious issues as a state. I’m not saying other countries are better overall. We can see the situation facing young people in France and the high unemployment rates in C么te d鈥橧voire, Benin, Togo, Ghana and other African countries. These are countries I’ve visited, and they’re not necessarily better off.

But life in Nigeria is unnecessarily very tough. A large percentage of the population can relate to that reality.

Really, was that the reason why you decided to leave?

Yes, I could say that. I lost the job that was sustaining me and it was hard trying to figure things out.

Then I developed a friendship with a politician’s son in Ghana through my TikTok live. He was willing to help me get settled should I ever decide to relocate to Ghana. So, it naturally became easy to leave Nigeria because I had accommodation sorted out, a friend waiting to welcome me into his family, and a whole community in Ekumfi District Area. But then, I decided to try other countries. It was when they didn’t work out that I decided to move to Ghana. 

You could have just relocated to Ghana in the first place. Why didn’t you?

With what I had left, I wanted to explore Italy and try my luck there. I even worked toward a 10-year passport because the plan was to stay longer in Europe on a work permit visa. Before considering Italy, I was also close to starting a relocation process to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a budget of under 鈧�3 million. Like the Italian offer, it came with a job and accommodation.

Unfortunately, after I dropped the UAE option in favour of Italy, the person handling my documents in Italy relocated to Turkey. I was left stranded in the middle of the process, having wasted a lot of resources. Regardless, I’ve always wanted to explore beyond my home country. France worked out, but honestly, I also wanted to test the waters and see what life was like on the other side.

Then came Ghana?

Ghana was a last resort. There was nothing particularly special about it at first, except that it was close to home, relatively affordable to move to, and its currency was performing better than the naira. So I thought, why not?

So besides your friendship in Ghana, what else prompted your decision to move there at that moment?

The main reason was never about proximity. It was really about my analysis of Ghana鈥檚 economic growth and where I saw it going. The business opportunities for Africans and how much my potential success could enable me to invest back in both countries. 

How did you fund your move to Ghana?

My budget for France was just 鈧�2.6 million. I also had support from friends who helped ensure I had enough money reflected in my bank statements. The process was cumbersome and tiring. I spent just one week in France. In C么te d鈥橧voire, I secured a gig with a fashion brand strategist from Switzerland. It felt good to start earning a decent income again.

However, the system there was similar to France’s. I wasn’t used to paying rent, electricity and water bills every month. I was paying about 鈧�300,000 for a self-contained apartment every 30 days.

I could afford to relax occasionally, and my job gave me opportunities to do so. I was always around models who loved the sound of Nigerian Pidgin English and the little French I managed to speak.

On moving to Ghana, I had managed to save up to 鈧�1.3 million from my job in Ivory Coast. CFA was three times more than Naira. With accommodation sorted out, and all thanks to the ECOWAS visa-free agreement, I didn’t get to spend as much as I did for France. 

Quite a lot of movement. What was your family’s reaction when you told them you were relocating again, and this time to Ghana?

My family found out after I had already arrived. They were quite surprised but they were already used to my spontaneous travels even within Nigeria. I’ve visited all four cardinal points of my home country.

What was your first impression of Ghana when you arrived?

Accra is dope. It was the first place I stayed before moving to Cape Coast. I love the clean beaches, especially the free public ones. I also enjoy a particular beer, and I like how drinks have barcodes on their bottle caps. Those impressed me.

What surprised you most about living in Ghana?

The culture shock goes beyond how the food is prepared or how almost every woman I’ve seen makes me turn my head to admire their figure. God is great! But the biggest surprise has been how much Ghanaians actually like Nigerians.

Really? Besides the Ghana-must-go history and jollof rice competition?

At first, I was worried about how I might be treated, knowing the history behind the Ghana-must-go saga. But I discovered that Ghanaians genuinely like us. Forget the social media banter.

So which jollof rice is the best?

Hmm, I had Ghana jollof rice from two special places. My friend’s family house and a lady I grew fond of. There are levels to this jollof debate.  Ghana wins on this one.

Are you scared of what they will do to you if you pick Nigerian jollof

Ahh, not at all. I’ve tasted both and I just feel like Ghana jollof is better. 

Apart from the beautiful people and places, what was the biggest challenge you faced during your first few months?

The biggest challenge was finding a job. Ghana’s policies are designed to prioritise Ghanaians, which is understandable. Without a Ghana Card, you can’t easily secure a job.

Before I started building my tech brand, Blackbox Group, I managed to get a job through a friend at a fishing company. I could earn between 100 and 300 cedis a day, which was around 鈧�10,000 to 鈧�30,000 at the time. However, currency conversion and reality don’t always align. Eventually, I used what I could earn to bootstrap Blackbox in the blue-collar industry.

Was the difficulty in getting a job your personal experience, or is it a general thing?

It’s a national policy. It鈥檚 a common experience for most Nigerians. Nigerians go as far as looking for ways to obtain the national card illegally out of desperation. 

Do you have your Ghana Card already?

I haven’t gotten it. Getting a Ghana Card literally means you’re becoming a citizen. So there are a whole lot of processes involved. But they also offer a similar card known as the non-citizen Ghana Card. I’m in the process of getting that instead. It doesn’t come with all the benefits of having a Ghana Card, but it still gets you some things.

How easy was it to find accommodation and settle into your new environment?

I had a bit of a soft landing in Ghana through the relationship I had built with the politician鈥檚 son. So I didn’t really struggle with rent initially, and I settled quite comfortably. However, accommodation can be expensive when converted from cedis to naira, depending on the location.

How does the cost of living in Ghana compare with Nigeria?

As it stands, Cedis ranks among the top 10 strongest currencies in Africa when compared to the USD. That’s currency value in theory.

Although the cedi is stronger than the naira against the US dollar, that doesn’t necessarily mean Ghanaians have greater purchasing power. The cost of goods and services in Ghana can still be higher than what Nigerians pay for the same things at home.

Back in Nigeria, I can afford to relock my hair with a stylist for as low as, say, 鈧�5,000 in Abuja, or less somewhere like Osun. And these are even at salons where you get great services. In Ghana, it was a different experience. Even in the countryside, the lowest charge for dreads relocking begins at 100 Cedis. That’s a bit above 鈧�10, 000.

Electricity is stable, and some basic social amenities are easily available in Ghana compared to Nigeria. However, they can be quite expensive compared with what you would pay for them in Nigeria.

The advantage of earning in cedis becomes more noticeable when you work remotely and earn an income that doesn’t depend on the realities of the local economy. Otherwise, you have to deal with the cost of living there.

Nice, so do you work remotely now?

Yes, I have a few gigs , but I also have a personal project that’s running.聽

Must be nice building a strong footing in Ghana. Have you experienced any discrimination or hostility as a Nigerian in Ghana?

I wouldn鈥檛 say I have. Although you have to know how to navigate some conversations as a foreigner; otherwise, you will find yourself in trouble.

Conversations like what?

One is publicly saying you don’t like Shatta Wale or that you prefer Stonebwoy; that can get you into trouble as a Ghanaian, let alone as a Nigerian who takes pride in Nigerian music.

I’ve found myself in situations where I had to admit that I liked Shatta Wale because I could sense the possibility of violence from a mile away. As an independent artist too, I’ve also learnt to understand why Shatta Wale is so loved. Particularly among the , he makes them believe that nothing is impossible.

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What鈥檚 the deal with your music career?

I have been writing more. No studio sessions for now, but I do intend to hold the mic when it feels right again. I’m currently looking at acapella performances for a particular song I wrote recently. It draws me to the works of Fela and Marley.

What do you enjoy most about living in Ghana?

Ghana is such a peaceful country. You don’t see kidnapping headlines back to back. Crime is low, and the people are accommodating. I also love the clean, free public beaches. Being able to relax by the beach without having to pay for everything is something I enjoy. It gives people a chance to come together.

Are you saying Nigeria doesn’t have all of these things?

Most of the beaches in Nigeria are private. And kidnapping is looking like a big-time business. I believe it would discourage more people from travelling within the country, especially during the festive period ahead of us.

What do you miss most about Nigeria?

I occasionally travel back to Nigeria to see my family. During those visits, I realise how much you can miss a country that sometimes troubles your peace. Eating the food you grew up with is a different feeling. It reminds you of how much you’ve missed home.

Above all, I miss the freedom that comes with being in your own country. In a foreign country, I tend to act very timidly. 

Could you share one or two examples of the freedom you鈥檝e lost?

Financial freedom through international land banking and direct real estate investments. As a Nigerian citizen, I can legally own land anywhere in Nigeria with ease, unlike here. I have had the opportunity to own a piece of Ghana, but I don’t have the luxury of purchasing it outright because it takes more processes and scrutiny to acquire land or property in Ghana.

There’s also this freedom of expression that you don’t get to enjoy to the fullest. You are a foreigner so you are walking on eggshells. Law enforcement agents approach you differently. So, I tried to avoid any issue whatsoever.

Do you see yourself returning to Nigeria at some point in the future?

I鈥檓 not sure yet. I haven’t said this publicly before, but I had a traditional marriage introduction in Ghana. I wanted to marry a Fante woman, and I thought that would have given me a reason to stay here. By tradition, I’m married, but for personal reasons, the relationship eventually fell apart. I’m open to finding a new partner, but I’m not in a hurry. So whether I settle permanently in Ghana will depend on what happens next.

So you mean you’re not legally married?

Not legally married. I didn’t do that. 

How does one break up a traditional marriage in Ghana?

You return what they call the Knocking Fee.

Would you still want to have a Ghanaian partner?

Of course, if she happens to be a partner that sees and supports my vision.

What advice would you give to Nigerians considering a move to Ghana?

Be open to starting with a blue-collar job. Be willing to learn the local languages, or come with a skill that can earn you money because it has value. You can also come with the mindset of a businessperson.

If you embark on the journey purely as an adventurer, full of hope but without money, you might end up contributing to a negative narrative about Nigeria. There are so many Nigerians on the streets of different countries selling their souls to survive. Don’t be that person.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your experience living in Ghana?

I’d give it a nine out of ten.

Niyi got an opportunity to move to the United Kingdom in September 2023, and that was the beginning of it all for him. In this edition of Abroad Life, he tells us how an unlikely sporting opportunity took him to Wales, how he’s building a career, and why returning to Nigeria isn’t an option for him right now.

Where do you live at the moment and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Wales, United Kingdom. I left Nigeria in September 2023

Why did you leave?

I got a scholarship for my master’s and also to play the sport I love.聽

After I got my university degree in English from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2019, I felt the country was not helping young graduates like me. Then, after COVID-19, it became clear that things were getting worse. Jobs were scarce, and even when you found one, the pay was often poor. I knew I would leave someday.

So leaving was always the plan?

Yes, I considered places like Luxembourg and Lithuania because I wanted somewhere I could realistically afford. Then the opportunity to play American football in the UK came along, and I ended up in Wales. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

How did American football enter the picture?

I was doing taekwondo full-time in Nigeria. I competed as a student-athlete for Obafemi Awolowo University and also participated in open competitions in Osun and Lagos states. But taekwondo wasn’t paying the bills. It was something I did out of passion, and when you’re becoming an adult, your parents naturally expect you to start working and planning for your future. So, I started looking for opportunities in another sport I love: American football.聽

Why sports and not academics?

I was good academically, but I didn’t really want the conventional office life. I wanted to do something different.

Does this run in the family?

Funny enough, my family has an athletic background. One of my uncles ran for Lagos State, and I almost represented Nigeria. But nobody in the family had really pursued sports as a career.

So how did you start your journey to play American football abroad?

It was 2023, after the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). I had plenty of time on my hands because NYSC posting was delayed. One day, I randomly came across The Express, a 2008 film about American football player Ernie Davis. I found the story interesting, and so I went on Facebook to look for American football teams in Nigeria. There were only about ten teams in the entire country at the time, and one of them was the Lagos Marines.

They were about three hours away from me, but I started travelling from Ife to Lagos for training. I was learning the game from scratch. I wasn’t a starter or one of the team’s biggest players when I joined, but I think my taekwondo background gave me an advantage. Within six months, I was starting as a key player on the offensive line, playing right tackle.

What happened after?

I got an opportunity to play college football in the United States, but it wasn’t funded. My parents couldn’t afford to sponsor me, and the American team wasn’t going to cover the costs either.

Also, I would have had to return to college rather than continue from where I was academically, and it felt like going backwards. So we let that opportunity go.

How did the UK come into the picture?

While with the Lagos Marines, some of my teammates were contacted by teams that found us on Instagram. The Lagos Marines’ page was still active then, and the South Wales Warriors eventually reached out to me too.

At first, I thought it was a scam. I was like, 鈥淗ow are you playing American football in the United Kingdom?鈥� It sounded strange, especially because scams were everywhere in Nigeria at the time. I didn’t respond.

The team then contacted my coaches, who reached out to me about it. Even after that, I wasn’t convinced. They handled much of the process by speaking to my dad because I genuinely thought the whole thing might be a scam.

It wasn’t until I started going for visa appointments and medical tests that I realised it was real.

Was it fully-funded?

Yes, and it also came with a Master’s degree program.聽

What did you study for your master’s?

I studied and graduated with a master’s degree in Management from the University of South Wales in 2024.

What was your family’s reaction when you realised you were actually going to the UK?

It was overwhelming because it was something we’d been praying for. The UK was a country we couldn’t easily afford to move to at the time.

We had been looking at less expensive destinations, and suddenly, I was going to one of the countries we’d always considered difficult to reach financially. I was also going there to play a sport I loved, with the opportunity to study. It felt like a win-win situation. It was God’s grace.

What was it like joining the South Wales Warriors as a Nigerian player?

When I joined, I was the only Black person on the team and their first international recruit. The players were welcoming, but there was that initial surprise when they saw someone who looked different from them.

I’m also a big guy, so I probably fit the stereotype people sometimes have of Nigerians as big, aggressive men. My first training session involved a one-on-one drill against someone who considered himself one of the best players on the team. I dominated that session, so I think that helped me settle in.

Is there any difference in the way the game is played in the UK compared to Nigeria?

I quickly discovered that American football in the UK was different from what we’d been playing in Nigeria.

The game here was much more strategic. In Nigeria, we played very physically. It sometimes felt like we were trying to kill ourselves on the field. We would be told to run a play, do something, and hit somebody.

Here, there was a whole intellectual side of the game I hadn’t understood. Every team had a playbook containing the plays and strategies the players were expected to learn. You couldn’t just be physically strong. You needed to understand the plan and know your role in every play.

That was why I spent much of my first season as a backup. I was learning the playbook, which was enormous. It was frustrating because I was physically capable, but I still had a lot to learn mentally.

How did your first match go?

In our first game of the season, one of the starting players on the offensive line got injured around the second half. We were losing, so the coaches had to bring me in.

They simplified some of the plays to help me learn them quickly enough to play without disrupting the game plan. I ended up winning the MVP award for that game because I made a game-saving tackle and blocked throughout without making any mistakes.

I still finished the season as a backup, but that year was significant for the team. In the previous ten years of its existence, the Welsh team had never made the playoffs. We made the playoffs in my first season.

That was an amazing feeling. By my second and third seasons, more Nigerians had joined the team, so I wasn’t the only Nigerian player anymore.

Outside football and school, what was adjusting to life in Wales like?

I was fortunate because I arrived in a house with a number of Nigerians living there. I didn’t have family in the UK, and I was relatively young, so having a community around me made a big difference.

On my first night in the country, someone I had just met in the house cooked Nigerian spaghetti and chicken for me. That was how welcoming the people around me were.

My first job in the country also came through someone in that house. People shared opportunities with me, and some even offered me jobs I didn’t eventually take.

I’ve been in boarding school since I was eight, so adapting to different environments and living with different people wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

The weather wasn’t much of an issue either. Even when the temperature dropped below zero, I would still wear shorts and a T-shirt. My friends would look at me like I was crazy.

Are there things you didn’t get used to quickly in Wales?

One thing that took some getting used to was how people smiled at strangers. In Nigeria, if someone you don’t know smiles at you on the street, you might wonder what they want. Here, people would smile or greet me simply because they were being friendly.

I also noticed people staring at me because Wales didn’t have as many Nigerians around when I first arrived. Most people weren’t being disrespectful; they were curious and sometimes asked personal questions because they wanted to know more about me.

The smoking and vaping culture was another surprise. You’d see adults smoking and young people vaping in public places. It wasn’t something I was used to seeing so openly in Nigeria. Eventually, I understood that people had different social norms, even if I wasn’t particularly comfortable with all of them.

What were your biggest challenges when you first arrived?

Finding a job was one of the biggest challenges. It wasn’t easy to find work that matched my qualifications or the kind of career I wanted.

My first job was as a stocktaker. It was a decent starting point, but I was still trying to figure out how to build a professional career beyond football. Eventually, I got another job with the Ministry of Justice, which helped me move towards the professional career I wanted.

Any difference in the educational system there?

In Nigeria, I was used to studying for examinations, memorising information and reproducing it. Here, I had to think more critically and demonstrate that I understood what I was studying.

You couldn’t simply cram everything and pour it out during an examination. You had to analyse things, make arguments and show that you understood the material. As someone who had been accustomed to memorising information, I had to work harder to adapt.

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What’s been the most rewarding part of living abroad?

Being able to take care of my family is a big one. At the age I was when I left Nigeria, it would have been difficult to find a legitimate job that paid enough to support both myself and my family back home.

Here, I can work, earn a living and help my family without having to do anything illegal to make money. That means a lot to me.

I also appreciate the way the system works. You can do your job and expect to receive your salary at the end of the month. You don’t have to spend your time begging an employer to pay you for work you’ve already done.

The basic things you need to live are more accessible. You can cross at a zebra crossing and expect drivers to respect it. You can leave your car parked without constantly worrying that someone will steal its parts. You don’t have to feel anxious whenever you see a police officer because you’re wondering whether you’re about to be harassed or extorted.

Healthcare is available through the National Health Service (NHS), although the NHS is under pressure and waiting times can be long. You may not always receive attention as quickly as you’d like, but there’s a system through which you can access care.

The Nigerian community I’ve met here has also been supportive. People check on one another, share opportunities and look out for one another. Even colleagues at work make an effort to ask how you’re doing.

For me, the biggest difference is that the system works, and there’s a reward for labour. You work, and you get paid. You’re able to plan your life and take care of your responsibilities.

What do you do now, apart from playing American football?

I still play American football, and I work with the NHS. I started as a receptionist, but I currently work as an executive assistant to the clinical board. So, I’ve been able to build a professional career alongside my sporting career. That’s something I’m grateful for.

Do you miss Nigeria?

Of course, I miss the food. I cook Nigerian food here, and I’m even planning to start a food business soon. There are moments when you just want to eat something that reminds you of home.

I also strangely miss Lagos traffic. There’s a particular excitement that comes with being in Lagos, and I miss some of those moments. The energy is different.

But I don’t miss Nigeria as a country in the sense that I want to return and live there now. Going home has become scarier because of how unsafe the country feels. People are being kidnapped, including people who aren’t celebrities or public figures. It feels like ordinary people can become targets.

Would your life have turned out the same or even better if you had stayed in Nigeria?

I think about it sometimes. Would I have found a job that allowed me to take care of my family? Would I still be playing American football? Would I have been able to pursue the things I wanted without constantly worrying about survival?

I can’t say exactly what would have happened, but I know that the opportunities I’ve had here have made a difference. If I had stayed in Nigeria, I might have reached a point where I felt pressured to do things I had always promised myself I would never do just to make money. I have always wanted to make an honest living, but surviving in Nigeria can put people under enormous pressure. I was this close to doing things I wouldn’t be proud of to make a living. 

I might also have stopped playing sports because Nigeria doesn’t encourage people to pursue those dreams seriously.

What’s your perception about Nigeria’s sporting system?

Nigeria doesn’t help sporting dreams. That’s how I would describe it. I had a passion for sports, but it wasn’t something I could easily turn into a sustainable career at home. I had to look elsewhere for an opportunity to keep playing and build a future.

People have talent, ambition and the willingness to work, but the environment doesn’t always give them a fair chance to succeed. I left because I wanted a better opportunity to build my life. I found that opportunity, and I don’t think you necessarily miss the things you had to escape from just because you’re living somewhere else.

Do you see yourself returning to Nigeria someday?

Not anytime soon. I can’t say I’ll never return, but given the way things are right now, I don’t see myself moving back.

Is that so?

I was already worried about the direction Nigeria was heading during the 2023 election campaign. I felt things would get worse, and I believe what has happened since then has reinforced those concerns.

What frustrates me is that so many people have the opportunity to demand better from their leaders, but the country keeps finding itself in the same situation. When people continue to support a system that isn’t working for them, it’s difficult to see how things will change.

For now, I want to keep building my career, playing football and taking care of my family. I don’t want to return to Nigeria and find myself struggling to survive again.

I miss home, but missing home isn’t enough reason to go back to a place where I don’t believe I can build the life I want.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your experience abroad?

I’d say nine. This place has been very kind to me. 

Pelumi (30) moved to the UK in 2021 to study for a master鈥檚 degree at the University of Stirling. From adjusting to winter and learning to navigate Scotland to failing her final research module, extending her student visa and eventually graduating a year later, Pelumi says her journey has been one of perseverance, faith and learning to adapt.

Where do you live at the moment and when did you leave Nigeria?

I am currently in the United Kingdom (UK), and I left Nigeria in September 2021.

Why did you leave?

I got a scholarship for my master’s degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Stirling, Scotland.

Have you always planned to leave Nigeria?

No, not at all. I didn’t plan to travel out of the country. After I finished my Higher National Diploma (HND), I felt I couldn’t just be comfortable with having only an HND. I wanted academic advancement. At the time, I was trying to do a conversion programme in Nigeria with my HND.

It was my brother who encouraged me to try applying for a master鈥檚 in the UK. At first, I was like, 鈥淚s it really possible?鈥� He told me to give it a try because I had finished well with my HND.

I applied to so many universities and got about six rejections before the University of Stirling in Scotland gave me admission.

How did your family react when you got the admission?

They were very happy. They were really proud of me and happy that I was going for my master鈥檚. 

Did you have any doubts before leaving Nigeria?

It was a normal feeling to wonder whether I was making the right decision, but I had already prayed about it. I’m someone who takes prayer very seriously and wants to understand what God wants me to do.

Even while applying for the master鈥檚, I prayed that if it was God’s plan for me, everything should work out. When I started getting different rejections, I wasn’t even too bothered. I just thought maybe it wasn’t God’s plan for my life, or maybe it wasn’t my time.

Then, when the time came, things started aligning, and I got the admission.

On the night I was leaving, I was worried because I was only 25 and travelling to a new country alone. I had no friends or siblings going with me. But I knew that if God was taking me there, He would sort everything out for me.

Must have been nice. Was it on a scholarship or did you fund everything by yourself?

It was a scholarship, but not fully funded. I received a 20% scholarship, while my family funded the rest. I was 25 at the time, had just finished my national service, and wasn’t working; I was not married or anything, so there was no way I could have funded it myself. What makes it interesting is that I applied for my master鈥檚 with my HND.  

You said you applied using your HND. How was that possible?

It was possible. Applying for a master鈥檚 degree with an HND usually requires having a Distinction or a strong Upper Credit, a good Cumulative Grade Point Average (CPGA), and a strong personal statement. Also, you will be fine as long as you make sure you are applying for a master鈥檚 course that is relevant to the course you studied in your HND. These things can make a big difference when your application is being considered. 

You mentioned that getting your master’s was a big deal for your family. Tell me more about your educational journey.

My story is really a long journey of perseverance. My sister went to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and my brother went to the University of Abuja, while I was the only one who attended a polytechnic. I went to a polytechnic but became the first person in my family to get a master’s degree.

I didn’t initially plan to have an HND. After my National Diploma (ND), I finished with a 4.0 and was the second-best student in my department. I tried to use direct entry to study Public Administration, but I wasn’t given admission.

My mum would always tell me that God had a plan for my life and that I should trust Him. So when I couldn’t get the direct-entry admission, I returned for my HND and made sure I finished well.

I tried again during my HND and still wasn’t given admission. At that point, I decided to stop chasing it and focus on doing well with my HND.

Then I started looking at other options, including conversion programmes. Eventually, I got the opportunity to apply for a master’s in the UK.

So when I eventually graduated, it meant a lot to me because I knew everything I had gone through to get there.

It was a long journey. A very long journey. For me, it was a journey of perseverance and not giving up. Sometimes when I think about everything, I just thank God.

So, how did you feel when you landed in the UK?

I was happy that I was finally in the UK, but I won’t lie, there were many challenges. There were so many things I needed to adapt to.

Challenges? Like what?聽

The first challenge for me was dressing. I’m a Deeper Life church girl, so I didn’t wear trousers. I had never worn trousers in my life. Then I arrived in the UK during winter.

I remember one day I went out and eventually had to take a taxi back home because I was struggling with the cold. For about six months, I kept thinking, 鈥淣o, I will stay true to myself.鈥� But eventually, I had to reconsider some things.

Initially, I would wear leggings underneath my gown or skirt. That was how I managed myself for a while. But I knew I couldn’t continue like that. So, when I started wearing trousers, I convinced myself that there was nothing wrong with it. For me, it became a matter of personal conviction. I still believe people should dress modestly and not expose their bodies, but I also believe everything should be done in moderation.

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Did your church have a problem with the changes?

No, they have no problem with it. I still attend Deeper Life church in the UK. I’m married now and have children, but we still attend the church. I didn’t change churches because I moved to the UK.

Why do you think Deeper Life church in the UK has no problem with it?

I think the environment plays a role. The UK is different from Nigeria. I’ve talked about this a lot on Facebook, and people have had plenty to say about it. I also believe it comes down to personal conviction. For instance, you can wear leggings but not trousers, right? But what’s actually the difference between the two?

Also, if you’re a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit, and you should be able to know what is right for you.

I’ve never used attachment before, but I started using it when I got to the UK. People have different opinions about these things, but for me, it’s about personal conviction.

Apart from dressing, what other challenges did you face when you arrived?

Navigation was another major one. In Nigeria, I didn’t really use Google Maps, but in the UK I had to learn quickly.

The first time I went to work, I went to a completely different place. I was stranded and eventually had to go back home.

Food was another issue. At the time, there weren’t as many African shops as there are now. I was a student and didn’t have much money, so I couldn’t afford to keep shipping food from Nigeria. I had to start eating some Scottish food.

How different was the education system from what you were used to in Nigeria?

There were a lot of differences. One of the first things I noticed was that almost everything was done online.

In Nigeria, some assignments are submitted as hard copies, but in the UK, you submit assignments from your laptop. Tests and quizzes are also done online. Basically, everything is on the laptop.

If you’re someone who doesn’t know how to use a laptop or find your way around one, you could struggle a lot. I didn’t struggle too much, but it was still a bit challenging sometimes.

What would you say your biggest challenge as a student in the UK was then?

The biggest challenge came towards the end of my studies when I had to retake my research module. It was the toughest period of my entire life. 

Ehn ehn, what happened?

In the UK, when you fail a module, you can be asked to resubmit it again one more time. I got 40 at first, and resubmitted again, and I think I got 44. Then I received an email telling me that I had failed the module again and that my points were no longer enough for my master鈥檚 degree.

At that point, I had two options. I could retake the course the following year, or I could accept a postgraduate certificate instead. So, if the points for a master’s is 170 and you got 140, they’ll advise you to collect a certificate instead if you don’t want to retake the course. 

It was a very difficult decision because it was also going to affect my visa. If I wanted to retake the course, I would need to extend my student visa and undergo the whole process all over again. 

How did that affect you personally?

It was a lot. I was already married at the time, and I was pregnant, so I was dealing with everything at once.

I remember being very discouraged. I told my brother I couldn’t do it and that I would just collect the postgraduate certificate. A lot of people had told me they couldn’t be bothered with the stress and would rather accept the certificate.

But my family encouraged me. They told me to look at how far I had come and apply for the extension so I could retake the course.

So I applied and got a six-month extension on my student visa. I had to get a new letter from the school and apply for another visa.

And you had to retake the module?

I retook it. Even when I was about to submit the work, I was praying because I knew it was my final chance. I kept telling God that if I failed again, that would be the end.

Thankfully, I got 55 and was able to graduate the following year. I didn’t graduate with my mates. I graduated the following year, so it was basically an extra year for me. It was crazy, but I survived it. It was the biggest challenge of my life. 

That must have been hard. How did you support yourself financially and emotionally during your studies?

As a student, I could work 20 hours a week, so I worked those hours. It wasn’t easy working as a student while attending classes and doing assignments.

My family paid my school fees, so I mainly had to take care of my accommodation, food, and other small expenses. That gave me some room to work and support myself.

Emotionally, my family and the community I joined in the UK were very helpful. 

What was your most memorable experience at university?

That would be my graduation day. I cried so much because I was just so happy that, after everything, I was finally able to graduate. I had gone through the extra year, retaken the module, and eventually passed.

I also had a nice experience at Stirling generally. I never experienced any racism there. The lecturers were always very nice and polite to me, so I enjoyed my stay.

Interesting. So, Stirling was nice; what happened after school?

By the time I graduated, I was already married and had just had my baby, so I wasn’t doing too much professionally. I’m now mainly focused on my family.

I have a blog; I create content, and I write online. I also work part-time because I have two kids, so I can’t work full-time at the moment.

You mentioned your husband. Did you meet him in the UK?

No, I met my husband in Nigeria. Our story is actually quite unusual. We knew each other in Nigeria, but we weren’t friends. We had mutual friends and attended the same secondary school, although I didn’t finish at that school. I left after JSS and went to Government College, so we only spent about one or two years in the same school.

We reconnected online and started a relationship. I came back to Nigeria for our wedding in March 2023. He was still in Nigeria at the time, so after the wedding, he applied for his visa and joined me in the UK two months later. A lot of people told me I was crazy and that I didn’t know what I was doing. But I thank God I’m not crazy.

Wow. So, how has life been for you as a Nigerian family in Scotland?

Life is good. You just have to adjust. Since I’m living in Scotland and don’t have plans to relocate back anytime soon, I have to adjust to the way things are done here. You have to follow the rules and regulations and do things the right way.

Raising children here also means understanding what is acceptable and what isn’t. There are things that people might consider normal in Nigeria that are taken very seriously here. For me, the key is setting your priorities right, surrounding yourself with people who genuinely encourage you, and having a good community.

My church in Glasgow has helped me a lot. Even when I was having issues at school, they encouraged me and supported me. Having the right community is very important. And for me, there is also the God factor. I don’t think you can raise a family without God. It’s a major part of my life.

What has been your biggest culture shock in the UK?

The politeness. Even when I first arrived, I noticed that people would say thank you to bus drivers. I was like, 鈥淎re they not doing their work? Are they not collecting money?鈥�

But when you’re getting down from the bus, you say thank you. Adults say it. Children say it. You just say thank you.

People are also very respectful in the way they speak to one another. Even if a lecturer is talking to you, there is a certain level of respect. Giving people respect is a big deal here.

Is there anything about the way things work in the UK that you wish Nigeria could adopt?

I would say law enforcement and the implementation of rules. In Nigeria, they can make rules, but implementing them is often the problem. Here, they investigate things properly before making decisions, and people generally follow the rules.

Even something as simple as crossing the road is different. You wait for the traffic light to turn green before crossing. People queue without needing security or police officers to tell them to line up.

Driving is another example. My friend recently told me she was taking her practical driving test for the fifth time. Some people don’t pass until their tenth attempt. It is not easy, but once you pass, you know you have to follow the rules when you drive.

Everything is just orderly. People follow the rules and regulations, and I think that is something that could help Nigeria.

You mentioned that you don’t have plans to return to Nigeria anytime soon. Does that mean you’re staying in the UK permanently?

I never said I don’t have plans to return o. I said that since I’m living here, I don’t have plans to relocate back anytime soon.

If, in the next 10 years, God tells me to go back, I’ll pack my bags and go. My life is based on what God tells me to do. Whether I’m in Canada or Nigeria, I believe God’s blessing will reach me. 

What’s one of your convictions that God is the ultimate planner?

When I was preparing to travel, I had other plans. I had already gotten admission to Cotonou in Benin to study for a BSc and had started before I got the master鈥檚 admission in the UK. So if I hadn’t gotten the UK admission, I would still have been doing great things for myself in Benin or Nigeria.

Wow, why did you choose the UK master鈥檚 instead of continuing with the BSc in Cotonou?

Getting a master’s with an HND was a big deal to me. You know how HND holders are treated in Nigeria. I had tried several times to get admission through direct entry for a BSc. I wasn’t given admission.

Even when I finished my ND with a 4.0 and was one of the best students in my department, I couldn’t get the direct-entry admission I wanted. Someone I encouraged to apply had a lower grade and got admission, but I didn’t. So I returned to the polytechnic for my HND and made sure I finished well.

I also tried direct entry again during my HND and still wasn’t given admission. Eventually, I decided to focus on finishing my HND well and looking for other opportunities.

I applied for conversion programmes in different places and even got admission somewhere in Nigeria. I had started making payments and preparing to go before I eventually got the UK admission.

What would you say to Nigerians with HNDs who feel limited by their qualifications?

Don’t limit yourself. If you finish with a good grade, whether distinction or upper credit, build yourself. Attend conferences, go to meetings, network, and look for opportunities.

There are many opportunities out there. Even if you don’t want to get a BSc or postgraduate degree, you can still do great things with an HND.

I know people who have done amazing things with their HNDs. One woman I know studied at a polytechnic in Lagos and later travelled abroad. She recently got her BSc. in Cyprus, but even before that, she had already achieved a lot.

So I encourage people not to limit themselves. 

Do you still keep in touch with your friends in Nigeria?

Yes, but only a few of them. A lot of my friends are now in the UK too. I’m also a very busy woman. I work part-time, I have a blog, I create content, I write on Facebook, and I have two children. So I don’t have as much time as I used to, but I still have a few friends in Nigeria that I chat with.

How would you rate your experience in the UK so far?

I’d say eight out of ten. The UK has generally been nice to my family and me. As I said, I have a good community here; people are generally nice, and things work better here. 

Bunmi (28) moved to the UK in 2023, hoping to gain experience that would take him closer to his plans for a master鈥檚 in Special Language Therapy. But the reality of life abroad came with a few surprises, including the struggle to find stable work and the need to navigate life away from family.

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

I live in the UK. I moved in September 2023. 

What were you doing in Nigeria before you moved to the UK?

I was working as an account officer.

What made you decide to leave Nigeria?

I studied Linguistics and African Languages at university, and I wanted to travel abroad for my master鈥檚 in Special Language Therapy (which is still my plan). I kept applying for schools, and couldn’t get in because I didn’t have the necessary experience. So I applied to come to the UK as a care worker to obtain the necessary experience before getting into a school.

Was moving abroad always part of your plan?

Moving abroad was never my ultimate plan. Most of my friends were shocked that I travelled because I had always said I didn’t want to. But at a point, all the opportunities just came at once. Someone called my dad and advised that there are some opportunities his son could leverage. So, I just locked in, and we started applying to different schools. I didn’t get into any but got a job instead.聽

What did you think your life in the UK would look like before you arrived?

I was already calculating how much I’d be making per month, how I’d spend it, where I’d go, and all of that. Unfortunately, it wasn’t like I had thought. I was expecting the UK to be some sort of paradise. It didn’t pan out that way 

What was the first thing in the UK that made you realise you’re now abroad?

That’d be public transportation. I took the underground, and everything went according to the scheduled time. Everything was organised.聽

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What was your biggest culture shock?

Referring to people without the cultural respect we used back in Nigeria. Back home, we use 鈥渦ncle鈥� and 鈥渁unty鈥� for anyone way older than us. But here, everyone calls one another by name. I have colleagues in their fifties and sixties, and I’m compelled to call them by their names. 

Was there any experience that made you think, 鈥淭hey would never do this in Nigeria.

I live very close to the beach right now. Sometimes I go swimming. Although in London, they’ll probably steal your phone if you drop it anywhere. But in Bournemouth, it’s quite safe. When I started living here, I was always surprised to see how safe your belongings are in public spaces. We don’t always have that in Nigeria. Of course, it’s everywhere, not just at the same level. 

What was the hardest part of your first few months in the UK?

It was when I arrived. The company I was supposed to be working with suddenly started having issues with its clients. So, I couldn’t start work when I needed to, and I had bills to pay. I didn’t have the money to really cater for myself, and I was almost stranded because things were really difficult.

Did you have to start your career from scratch, or were you able to continue what you were doing in Nigeria?

I had to learn a few things when I got here. But I wouldn’t say I started from scratch because I had a few experiences in what I’m doing right now. I’ve volunteered, dealt with people in the care system, and actively helped people in the communities. So, not from scratch, but working in the UK gave me a new perspective on life and the care sector.

What’s the biggest difference between working in Nigeria and doing the same thing in the UK?

You’re all on your own. You either work to pay your bills, or you don’t, and you suffer. Plus,  you need to keep working. In Nigeria, there’s always family, no matter what happens. 

What’s the most expensive or financially painful part of living in the UK that nobody warned you about?

The financially painful part is having a job to pay the bills. When I first came, it was really a struggle to get a good, stable job because they鈥檇 tell you that you needed a certain number of months or years of experience before they could offer you certain kinds of jobs. If you can’t afford to pay the bills, you’ll most likely end up living on the streets. 

Do you actually have more disposable income or savings now than you did in Nigeria?

Yes. Back home, I was barely surviving on my income. It wasn’t even sufficient to rent my own space. But now, I can afford my own rent, car, and other bills. Couldn’t afford to live the life I’m living now in Nigeria on Nigeria’s income. 

Have you experienced racism, discrimination or any situation where you felt like an outsider? 

Yes, a number of times.

What happened?

Sometimes people ask me if I got to the UK by boat. But I’ve never felt like an outsider because I don’t go around looking at people with the mentality that they’ll be racist towards me. When my friends and I go out, they’d tell me that some people are staring at us, and I’d tell them I didn’t notice. I’m not bothered about it. 

How has moving to the UK affected your relationships with your family and friends back home?

Moving to the UK didn’t affect my relationship with my family and friends. I have a very small friendship circle, and we still keep in touch. 

What about your dating or relationship life?

I had a partner before coming here, and we are still together. She’s the love of my life.

What’s one thing about Nigeria you didn’t think you’d miss until you left?

I’d have said the food, but I can still find it here. Maybe the way we treat big people. In Nigeria, if you carry yourself well, people will start hailing you for money. But here, everyone is equal and just going about their business. 

What’s something about life in Nigeria that you now appreciate more because you’ve lived abroad?

The hard work. My dad really raised me to be hardworking, and that has helped me here. There’s no place where I’ve worked that doesn’t always want me to come back. So, Nigeria did well in that part.

Have you ever seriously thought, 鈥淢aybe I should just go back to Nigeria鈥�? 

Yes, sometimes.  

When I couldn’t secure the job that brought me to the UK, I couldn’t find another job quickly. I had to move around a lot looking for jobs, and I felt so alone. I thought no matter how bad it is in Nigeria, I always had my family. And sometimes, there’s that feeling of loneliness that comes with leaving your home far away, and you and your family are just left with your struggles.

Will you go back to Nigeria one day?

Yes. I have a plan for the Nigerian community. That’s the ultimate goal. I’m still working and trying to sort out a few things. When I’m done, I’d like to relocate back to my own country, build a life, and implement what I’ve learnt for the benefit of Nigerians.

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

I’d say a solid eight. 

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Even though Dickson (27) grew up in Germany, he had been trying to leave because nothing about the country felt like home. In this story, he talks about growing up Nigerian in Germany, the crushing racism he experienced, and his move to the UK.

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

I live in London, United Kingdom (UK). I am fully Nigerian, but I was born in Germany. I left in 2021 to come to the UK.

Have you visited Nigeria before?

Yes, I have. I actually just returned after my grandma鈥檚 funeral. This recent visit was my fourth time in Nigeria.

How were the visits?

They have generally been really good, but the one that has stuck out the most through the years was my first visit. I was only a child, and it was also the first time I ever travelled anywhere. It鈥檚 still fresh in my memory; It was with my mum, and we went out a couple of times to eat authentic Nigerian food.

My mum is a good cook, and I鈥檝e always eaten authentic Nigerian food. I cook as well, but eating in Nigeria was just different.

Nigeria is a lively and loud (but in a warm way) place, and my visits have generally been so nice.

That鈥檚 beautiful. Let鈥檚 talk about Germany; why did you leave?

Germany has never been nice to me. It simply wasn鈥檛 the place for me, and I knew this even as a child. I was only eight years old when I first wanted to leave, but I obviously couldn鈥檛 leave because of my mum.

I always wanted to live in the same country as my other relatives in the UK and the US. The UK was the quickest way to leave because it鈥檚 a European country and right next to Germany.

Do you mind sharing the reasons you didn鈥檛 enjoy Germany?

The racism in Germany was overwhelming. Everything was extra hard because I looked different. They don鈥檛 treat you nicely, they don鈥檛 care to listen, and they make no attempt to make life easier for you, even a little bit.

At school, they treat you like shit. I apologise for my language, but that鈥檚 how it was for me. I鈥檝e spoken about this on my TikTok multiple times, especially the school systems.

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What鈥檚 that about?

In Germany, primary school education runs from years 1 to 4, and secondary schools are divided into categories: secondary schools for the smart, semi-smart, and then one for slower or more difficult children.

After the fourth year of primary school, teachers are required to recommend the secondary school their students should attend. I was the only black kid in my class of 30, and I was the only one my teacher recommended for the last category because she said I was dumb. 

Having no say over it, I went to the school she sent me to, but I was switched to the school for semi-smart students because my grades were far too good for the one I was in. 

That鈥檚 really bad. I鈥檓 sorry you had to experience that.

Thank you. That鈥檚 just one of the ways they make things difficult for you. My parents didn鈥檛 have it easy either. Because they couldn鈥檛 speak German, I explained all government letters to them and often went with them to government offices for the same purpose. I saw a lot of things, and let me tell you, they weren鈥檛 nice things.

That must have sucked. Were there any positive sides to your time in Germany?

That鈥檚 a good question, but I unfortunately couldn鈥檛 answer it properly even if I tried. I feel this question would be much more suited for someone who has fully lived there as an adult. I can鈥檛 tell you anything good right away because I spent my childhood, teenage years, and early adult life there. Sure, I had some fun whenever I attended festivals with my friends and cousins, but that鈥檚 pretty much it.

London is far better. There are many things to do here, and more opportunities.聽

What was the weather and food in Germany like?

I lived in western Germany, where it always rains. Apart from the one month in summer, when we had nice weather, it was always almost grey.

I can鈥檛 really say much about the food because I grew up in a fully Nigerian home and my mum always, always made Nigerian food. It鈥檚 actually most recently that she started attempting to make European dishes.

So, what do you do now in the UK?

I鈥檓 currently at the University, working two jobs. One of them is as an au pair, a live-in nanny.

What made you get into being an au pair?

I not only like working with children, but it鈥檚 more like a gift from God. It just comes naturally to me. I鈥檝e been taking care of kids since I was a kid myself. I was only ten when I had to watch my younger cousins, so it鈥檚 always been easy.

Being an au pair was also one of the easiest ways to leave Germany, so it just worked.

Nice. So, what are your plans after university?

I鈥檓 currently studying Computer Science. I would love to get into tech once I鈥檓 done.

You鈥檝e been in the UK for five years. What鈥檚 been your best experience so far?

I鈥檝e had so many great experiences, but my best moments are probably the time I travel with the children. We went to Paris two weeks ago, and it was really fun, not just because it was Paris, but because it was with the kids. Earlier, you asked me if being an au pair is fulfilling; it is. I鈥檝e wanted to do this since I was a teenager, but couldn鈥檛 because of my mum.

That鈥檚 lovely. What have been the worst moments?

There was a period when I thought I鈥檇 have to leave the UK and move back to Germany. Those were the absolute worst times I鈥檝e had here.

I was trying to get into school, and there was a lot of back-and-forth about my English proficiency. Because my parents couldn鈥檛 speak German, I grew up with English as my first language and picked up German in nursery school. So, obviously, I can speak English, but I had a hard time proving this to school authorities, seeing as my A-level certificate was in German. 

So there was a period of uncertainty over my stay in the UK, and it weighed heavily on me. Thankfully, it worked out, and I was admitted to the university.

How do you feel about the recent anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK, given the racism you experienced in Germany?

Racism is everywhere, but it matters what the system does to combat it, and that鈥檚 exactly the difference between living in the UK and Germany. If you experience racism in Germany, you鈥檙e pretty much left on your own to deal with it. In the UK, however, you can actually sue someone for being racist. It was a shock to me.

Sure, it might not always work, but just knowing that the system put something in place is reassuring. 

So, have you experienced racism at all in the UK?

I have. But it hasn鈥檛 come directly from white people; it鈥檚 mostly been from other foreigners.

Once, when I had just moved here, I went to the corner shop to buy something, and the Pakistani guy who owned it kept following me around because he saw I was black and thought I was going to steal something.

I haven鈥檛 really been around white people enough to experience racism from them; it鈥檚 just been other minorities.

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That鈥檚 interesting. It鈥檚 not something we always hear

I can see how that would be interesting, but I also experienced racism from minorities in Germany.

One clear example was when I wanted to move out of my mum鈥檚 house and was looking for an apartment. I was the only black person among all the people who had lined up to see a particular shared apartment. There were some Turkish guys and a bunch of white people, and then there was me.

After we had all seen the apartment and were filing out, I was stopped and told that it couldn鈥檛 work out. I was so hurt at being the only one who got that response that I asked them aloud if it was because of my skin colour. They just looked at each other.

So, would you say the UK has lived up to your expectations?

It definitely has. I鈥檓 still introverted, but I鈥檓 more outgoing than I ever was in Germany.

That sounds so nice. Were there any culture shocks that you experienced when you moved to the UK?

Not exactly. The only thing that I had to adjust to was the traffic. In Germany, it鈥檚 on the right, but here, it鈥檚 on the left.

Everything else is pretty much the same. It rains here just as much as it does in Germany, and I really haven鈥檛 experienced the British cuisine. I鈥檓 a very Nigerian guy; I enjoy Nigerian food and cook everything myself.

What鈥檚 your favourite and least favourite thing about London?

I love how multicultural London is, and I love that there鈥檚 always an option for anything you want to do. You will always find a function to go to.

My least favourite thing is the amount of planning and time that goes into moving from one end to the other.

Do you ever see yourself permanently moving to Nigeria in the future?

I love Nigeria, and I feel at ease anytime I visit. I would definitely want to move there someday, but only if the politics get better. Obviously, every country has its own version of problematic politics, but Nigeria鈥檚 is just something else. I know Nigeria has the potential to be great, and I hope it happens soon.

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

It鈥檚 a solid eight out of ten. I鈥檓 not rating it an eight because something is missing; I just believe things can be better, no matter where I am. I could always have more money, more time, and less stress.

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The following is a collection of stories from queer Abroad Life subjects about leaving Nigeria for countries where they can live their truth unapologetically.

鈥淚 spent 20 playing the good boy just to escape Nigeria鈥� 鈥� James*, 25, M

Growing up feminine in Nigeria meant constant bullying. I played the “good boy” role for two decades just so my dad would fund my education abroad. But right before I left for the UK in 2022, my world shattered. I was “kitoed” by homophobes who beat and blackmailed me, and the very next night, an acquaintance sexually assaulted me while I was frozen in trauma. My spirit was broken, but I forced myself onto that flight because staying meant death.

I am in Canada now, physically safe and thriving professionally. I鈥檓 currently looking for a therapist to help me unpack it all and learn how to actually live.

*James鈥� story was originally published on March 20, 2026. Read the full story here. 

鈥淚 can finally come out to my homophobic parents鈥� 鈥� Tope*, 33, F

I had a comfortable life in Nigeria, earning 鈧�35 million working in oil and gas. But I also knew I couldn’t navigate Nigeria’s toxic, secretive dating scene forever鈥攈aving to be with women who were also with men as 鈥渃over.鈥� I moved to the US in 2022 and completely started over.

Today, I am married to an incredible woman whose family has welcomed me with open arms. My super-religious parents are very homophobic and ask me about a husband whenever I call. It is heartbreaking, but the absolute safety of my marriage has given me the strength to finally come out to them next year. I am done hiding.

*Tope鈥檚 story was originally published on November 21, 2025. Read the full story here.

鈥淚 was bullied for being effeminate in Nigeria, but my partner鈥檚 family adopted me as their own鈥� 鈥� Peter*, 28, M

In Nigeria, I was constantly bullied and called female names because of my appearance and sexuality. I finally escaped to the UK in 2023, but my first year here was pure survival mode, working brutal hours at multiple jobs.

Everything shifted when I met my partner on a dating app. Moving abroad with zero family is a quick route to depression, but his family completely adopted me as their own. For the first time, I have a safe space to cry, vent, and completely heal.

*Peter鈥檚 story was originally published on March 20, 2026. Read the full story here.

鈥淗ollywood completely lied to me about how free queer people are in America鈥� 鈥� Gabriel*, 31, M

I bolted to the US in 2021 for graduate school, desperate to live openly away from my homophobic family. But the glorious, rainbow-coloured freedom we always saw in Hollywood movies turned out to be a massive lie. Landing in a conservative “Red State”, I was hit with a harsh mix of homophobia and racism.

Even worse, the American queer community turned out to be incredibly toxic and vain. Because I am an effeminate immigrant, I am either treated with open disdain or heavily fetishised on dating apps by people who treat my nationality like an item on their checklist. Life here has been painfully lonely, but I鈥檓 still looking for a loving, monogamous relationship.

*Gabriel鈥檚 story was originally published on March 20, 2026. Read the full story here.

罢丑别听聽is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.聽Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.聽.

鈥淚 fled Nigeria to save my life, and my queer activism became my ticket to asylum鈥� 鈥� Saratu*, 25, F

Living in Kaduna as a masculine-presenting queer woman meant being trapped in constant fear. I had to hide from my family and society, and I saw friends get killed or go missing. In 2024, I managed to get to the UK on a student visa and then applied for asylum.

Thanks to the evidence of my underground activism in Nigeria, my refugee status was granted. Life feels so much lighter now. The absolute best thing about the UK is the complete freedom. I can walk down the street looking as masculine as I want, and nobody stares or judges me because everyone is too busy chasing their own goals.

*Saratu鈥檚 story was originally published on March 20, 2026. Read the full story here.

鈥淚 married a gay man just to escape my deeply religious family鈥� 鈥� Fathia*, 31, F

Where I鈥檓 from in northern Nigeria, you aren鈥檛 allowed to move out of your parents鈥� house until you get married. For over 20 years, my life was an exhausting acting gig because I was agnostic and queer, living with an extremely religious Muslim family. When the pressure to marry became unbearable, I entered a lavender marriage with a gay Nigerian man living in Canada.

We agreed to get married to satisfy our families while living completely separate lives. Our parents happily swallowed the bait, and I landed in Canada in 2023. Settling in brought deep isolation and a rough job market, but I’ve made great friends, and I’m dating someone now. I finally get to experience the independent adulthood that most northern Nigerian girls are completely denied.

*Fathia鈥檚 story was originally published on March 20, 2026. Read the full story here.

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 Peter (24) left for South Africa to study music production, everyone warned him to 鈥渂e safe鈥� due to xenophobic attacks. In this story, he talks about his time and experiences in Johannesburg and how South Africans have turned out to be far more welcoming than he ever expected.

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

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, and I left Nigeria in early 2025.

What made you move?

I left for creative school. By my second year of studying electrical engineering at university, I had mentally checked out and only saw it through because my parents were paying for it. What I really wanted to do was music production and sound engineering, so I told my parents I wouldn鈥檛 be doing a 9-5 job once I graduated.

After school, I interned with a major music producer in Nigeria for a while. When I left that, I ventured into working with media, learning about sound for media at EbonyLife Creative Academy. It was around that time that my mum suggested I pursue a formal education and actually become certified.

The initial plan was to go to the United States, but the school fees were too expensive. So I looked at other options and found an opportunity in South Africa. I applied and got admitted to study Sound Production at the here.

Why didn鈥檛 you study in Nigeria?

I didn’t see any options for exactly what I wanted in Nigeria. Most of the options I saw there were theoretical music training. But training for music and training for sound production are two different things.

Unlike the music schools in Nigeria, we don’t have traditional exams where you sit down with pen and paper. Our assignments make up our grade. For example, they can give you a set of multi-tracks and tell you to mix them for your test. It is more hands-on than just learning theory. It鈥檚 rare to see that in Nigeria.

Let’s talk about South Africa. What was it like when you first arrived?

It was so cold. You see snow on TV and think it looks nice. Trust me, it doesn’t feel nice. I arrived in the autumn, just before winter, but I was already shaking. The actual winter came around May, and that was when I really knew what cold was.

I was also anxious about experiencing Xenophobia because of the things I had heard, so when I got here, I decided not to move around too much. But when I did, I didn鈥檛 see any visible hatred.

Because people here can easily tell you鈥檙e Nigerian from your accent, so once they hear that, they ask where I鈥檓 from, and I tell them Nigeria. What follows is them asking me things like, “Oh, do you know Davido?”

There was no visible hatred. What I鈥檝e learned is that xenophobia exists here, but only in certain parts of the country, mostly in the townships, which are more rural. You don鈥檛 see it in the cities. And even in the places where it鈥檚 more common, if you have South African friends around you, you鈥檒l be fine.

Are you saying the xenophobic sentiment is not as bad as people might think?

I feel like the media has made it look bigger than it is.  immigration is an actual issue in South Africa, but it has been hijacked by xenophobic people to attack everyone. And the xenophobic ones are a small minority.

But the media picks it up and presents only one perspective, and that鈥檚 dangerous. When the news of xenophobia breaks, it makes people react blindly. I remember when I was in Nigeria, and news of xenophobic attacks literally made people raid a Shoprite near where I lived.

So you鈥檝e never been worried about being attacked in South Africa?

I haven’t had any reason to be afraid of attacks. My school is far away from the townships where it usually happens. And the South Africans I have met have been friendly when they learned I was from Nigeria. There are traits that a Nigerian has that we take for granted but are fascinating to them. For example, how entrepreneurial we are.

But others don鈥檛 find it as fascinating. Nigerians come here and maybe open a business, and in just a couple of years, they grow more than the South Africans who have been here for years. Some of them look at that and say, “Wow, these Nigerian men are so enterprising.” However, some take it negatively and say, “They should just go back to their country, what are they doing in my place?” So it is two-sided. But from my personal experience, I haven’t had to be afraid because of the xenophobic attacks.

That鈥檚 great. How about your ability to make friends and build connections; has that been affected in any way?

No, definitely not. No South African I鈥檝e met has given me reason to think they are prejudiced. I simply haven’t experienced that.

What is your support system like in South Africa?

My community is made up mainly of people I met at school or church. At school, our assignments are usually group-based practical projects. So after class, we work together on these projects, and in doing that, we learn about each other and form bonds.

The majority of my friends here are South African, and a few are Nigerian. At church, my pastor is Nigerian, but the majority of the congregation is mostly South African.

Were there any culture shocks you experienced?

The calmness. Coming from Lagos, it鈥檚 very shocking how calm and chill it is here in Johannesburg.

Another shock is that hip-hop is still a big deal here. Back home, it is mostly Afrobeats. But here, hip-hop is a massive thing among young people. Amapiano is big too, but hip-hop seems to be bigger.

Also, marriage is not seen as a big deal here, the way it is in Nigeria. Back home, parents are constantly asking when you are going to get married because they want grandchildren. The parents here don鈥檛 do that; after all, they, too, are probably not married, they just cohabit. Marriage is not seen as a sacred cultural necessity.

Another thing that shocked me here was the language barrier. They speak English, but their traditional languages are quite important to them. In Nigeria, nobody might bat an eye if you can鈥檛 speak your mother tongue, but here, that is almost like a taboo.

 Those are the three major things that shocked me when I got here. The fact that they were more welcoming than I expected was the biggest shock of all.

Have you visited Nigeria since you got to South Africa?

Yes, I usually come back in December. There is a July break for about a month, but because of flight prices, it makes more sense to come home in December. My school session doesn’t start until March, so if I am back home by late November or December, I get to stay through December, January, and February. That is three months as opposed to just one month in July.

Do you intend to return to Nigeria or build a career in South Africa?

The plan has always been to go back; it still is. Not because I don’t want to be here, but because I have many things I need to do at home. But I am trying to build relationships and contacts here.

What matters in my industry is the clients, not your physical location. Meeting artists here and building that relationship means that when they need work done, they will call me, no matter where I am.

罢丑别听聽is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.聽Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.聽.

What would you say has been your worst experience in South Africa?

Easily, my first week here. As part of the visa process, you have to book your accommodation before coming here. I wanted a place close to school, but the area has very high rents. So I picked the cheapest accommodation I found. You don’t pay the actual rent until you arrive, but I paid the documentation and booking fee to hold the space. That was about 200 Rand.

When I arrived, a cab driver took me from the airport to the place. When we got there, he told me, “This does not seem like a good place.” He insisted it wasn’t safe and suggested we confirm first. He told me to leave my things in the car while we went in to check.

We went inside and found a lot of drug dealers smoking heavily, homeless people, and prostitutes. It was a terrible place. We got my key from the receptionist, and when we opened the room, we saw weed on my bed. That was the final straw. I video-called my parents and showed them. They asked me to leave immediately.

The driver took me to a hotel. He came back the next day, and we drove around the city, house hunting.

It took a couple of days, but we finally found a good place just a couple of minutes from school. I was only able to get it because the original renter had just cancelled their booking. It was more expensive than I had planned, but after that initial experience, I was just happy to have a good place.

That week was my worst experience here, but the driver was really helpful.

Was the driver South African?

Yes, he was South African.

What has been your best experience?

I can think of a couple. First, was a spicy food eating competition with some friends from school. One of us had this extremely hot sauce and started vomiting.

I know that sounds crazy as a best experience, but it was a really nice bonding moment for all of us. I am not a very expressive person when it comes to friendships, but that situation brought out an expressive side of me. It went from having fun to me becoming genuinely concerned and going into protective mode. It reminded me that these people are actually my friends whom I care about.

Some other really awesome experiences have been at school, having the opportunity to meet industry professionals. Our lecturers like to bring industry professionals to speak to us. Meeting Ndabo Zulu and being able to ask him questions about music really stuck out to me.

What is your favourite thing about South Africa?

It is really the people. They are much more welcoming than I thought. I had an expectation based on how things are portrayed.

A lot of them have actually researched Nigerian culture. I met a new acquaintance recently, and when she found out I was Nigerian, she started trying to speak Pidgin. She didn’t have our accent, but she was trying. They try to relate to you on your own terms. I’ve had South Africans ask me about the security situation back home, even the kidnapped children in Oyo. I wondered how they knew about that from all the way over here. It touched me in ways I didn’t expect.

What about your least favourite thing?

The weather. The winter season is tough. If I start shuttling between Nigeria and South Africa, I will always avoid the winter period from May to July. During that time, I鈥檒l be in Nigeria. Then, from August till about March, is when I鈥檒l prefer to be in South Africa.

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

I鈥檒l say nine.

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).

Tolani* (24) is in Johannesburg on a fully-funded postgraduate scholarship. But while her academic dreams are thriving under a highly supportive education system, daily life is overshadowed by xenophobic violence. In this story, she talks about how she鈥檚 trying to make good memories in Johannesburg, and why she can鈥檛 settle in South Africa after her studies.

Where are you currently living, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I am currently living in Johannesburg, South Africa. I left Nigeria in 2026.

What made you move?

School. I came here for my postgraduate studies. I always knew I wanted to do my postgrad outside Nigeria, because I think the educational system at home is too limited.

Why South Africa?

I actually thought of the other locations, too. I was considering schools in the United Kingdom and even the United States until a certain orange man made me change my mind about that.

Then I began to consider opportunities in Asia鈥攕pecifically China and South Korea鈥攂ut at the time I was planning to apply to their schools, I received an offer from South Africa. It鈥檚 a full scholarship to the University of the Witwatersrand, one of Africa’s top universities. It鈥檚 a great opportunity, so I just dropped everything else.

What are your plans after school in South Africa? Do you plan to stay back?

No, I don’t plan to stay here. I actually haven’t thought deeply about what I鈥檒l do after my studies because I still have one and a half years to go. Maybe I will apply for a fellowship, try the Global Talent visa route and move to the UK or somewhere else. But no, I don’t plan on staying here before these xenophobic people attack me.

You moved to South Africa at a very interesting time. The xenophobic unrest is starting up again. How do you feel about what is going on around you?

Yeah, it is a very interesting time to move. At the time I got the scholarship, things were calm. But then, a month before I moved, there were xenophobic attacks all over the news. It was really scary.

Thankfully, it鈥檚 quite calm around campus. But I have been seeing things and reading about people’s experiences, and it is really ugly. I鈥檓 trying to stay mostly indoors, except when I am going to school. I don’t have any business outside until the whole unrest calms down.

I鈥檓 sorry you have to live that way. What is your support system like? Have you made any friends?

I have not really made many friends. For support, I have a couple of family friends and some friends who moved here before me, so I reach out to them. I鈥檓 also making sure to join many communities.

Whenever anyone asks me to go anywhere, I almost always say yes. I鈥檓 really trying to enjoy my stay here. And I make sure I take enough pictures, because I want my gallery to be full of memories. Luckily, I鈥檝e met some nice people who have volunteered to go out with me when I’m bored. I can just hit them up, and they are more than happy to accompany me. So yeah, it has been nice, and they have been helpful.

罢丑别听聽is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.聽Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.聽.

Do you plan to visit Nigeria during your studies?

I would like to come visit, actually, but the travel costs are really high. We have winter break here from June to July. But I鈥檇 rather save the money and come home in December.

Makes sense. What is your daily routine like?

I wake up in the morning, do some home workouts, pray, and check my school emails to see if I have anything to do. I work on my assignments, watch movies, do some bulk cooking, eat, and sleep. Sometimes during the week, I also go to church. That鈥檚 basically it.

How are you finding the educational system? Is it what you expected?

Yeah, actually, it is that and more. They have a proper educational system and really good support for students. It is unlike where I am coming from, if you know what I mean. They think about the students, so a supervisor or lecturer can鈥檛 stress you unnecessarily. You have your own voice, you can dictate your pace, and they help you if you are not ready to do something at a particular moment.

You mentioned going out with some of the new people you are meeting. What kind of activities do you do for fun?

Well, it is not anything crazy. Sometimes it could just be a walk, or going to restaurants and events. We might just walk around school while they tell me random things about the country. I鈥檓 also avoiding going to certain places because of the whole xenophobia thing.

What would you say has been your best experience so far in South Africa?

It was on my first day here. I was stranded in school because I couldn鈥檛 find the way back to my apartment. So I walked up to someone and told her I was new and couldn鈥檛 find my way to where I was going. She just said, “Oh, follow me.” At that point, I had no choice but to follow her.

She led me some of the way, then gave me very accurate directions. I followed her directions and found myself right in front of my gate. It was really nice to be helped by a stranger like that. That first day was crazy, but that moment was memorable.

Do you have a favourite thing about South Africa?

No, because they are killing my people.

Right. And I think that probably answers what your least favourite thing about South Africa is too.

Yes. But one more thing is how cold it gets here. I鈥檝e been drinking a lot of black tea to cope. But once you pour out a steaming cup, it gets cold within a minute.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy would you say you are in South Africa?

I鈥檒l say an eight.

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).

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Bambs (31) funded her relocation to the UK on a corper’s salary. In this story, she shares how her determination to practice nursing in a working environment saw her submit 20 applications a day and endure hundreds of rejections until she achieved her dream. She also shares the culture shocks she experienced in the UK, the best and worst parts of life abroad.

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

I live in the United Kingdom (UK). I left Nigeria in 2021, towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What inspired you to leave Nigeria?

To be honest, I had always wanted to leave. Growing up, I was drawn to healthcare and wanted to be a doctor or a nurse. But I quickly noticed a huge gap between what our nursing textbooks taught and the reality in Nigerian hospitals. That was when I realised I could not practice in Nigeria.

What do you mean?

For instance, textbooks teach you to use a defibrillator on a patient in cardiac arrest. Yet, most Nigerian hospitals鈥攁t least the ones I worked in鈥攄id not even have one, which is wild. My main motivation was simply wanting to practice nursing the proper way. After university, I completed my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and immediately began my relocations process.

That is wild. How would you describe your working experience in Nigeria?

It gave me a solid foundation. Working in Nigeria taught me resilience, empathy, and how to perform under intense pressure. Nigerian healthcare workers do their absolute best, even when patients do not appreciate how far we go for them.

You could have a malnourished baby at the brink of death, and doctors and nurses will rally to save that child despite a lack of resources, poor infrastructure, and parents who cannot afford to pay. We do everything to give that child a chance at life, yet these efforts go unnoticed. Still, it taught me how to maximise the smallest resources to achieve the greatest good.

What was the relocation process like?

It was long and expensive, and I could barely afford it at the time. I had to work for a bit to save up, slowly taking the required exams and paying the processing fees.

I registered with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and sat for my Computer-Based Test (CBT) in October. After that, I began job hunting. I aimed for 20 applications a day because I was that desperate to leave.

Throughout November, my routine after work was to shower, open my laptop, and apply for roles. Some days I submitted 20 applications, other days 30. Every Monday morning, I鈥檇 check my email and see a long list of rejections. I refused to let that discourage me because I knew I would make it. Whenever a rejection came, I reviewed my application, did some research, and refined my next attempt.

Out of hundreds of applications, I landed about ten interviews in December. I remember having   to take an interview while at work; I asked my colleagues to cover for me for 30 minutes while I took it in the toilet.

By January, those interviews turned into four job offers. I weighed the pay, location, and cost of living before choosing. They wanted me to resume in March, but I deferred it to April to spend time with my family. I quit my job in February and spent three weeks at home. The day I left, my mum and sister cried; it was an emotionally heavy moment.

It must have been. What was it like when you arrived in the UK?

There was a huge demand for migrant nurses in the UK at that time, so the hospital was recruiting a lot of nurses from Nigeria. They booked our flights, so we arrived as a cohort of Nigerian nurses. The UK was still under lockdown, so we had to be isolated for ten days in accommodation provided by the hospital. It was April, and I vividly remember how cold it felt that first day. I also struggled with the British accent; it felt like everyone spoke too fast.

Any culture shocks?

Yes. On our first day, we reached our accommodation around 4:00 PM. I was so exhausted, I went straight to sleep. When I woke up at 8:00 PM, it was still bright outside. I thought I had slept for 12 hours before I checked the time and realised that during the summer, the days are much longer here.

I constantly charged my phone out of the habitual fear of power outages in Nigeria; it took me some time to stop. I also struggled getting used to how the bus system works.

Then there was the food. I don’t like English food. I initially lived in a town without African stores, so I had to endure it. Eventually, I discovered other options like Asian and Mediterranean food.

Another shock was summer fashion. People wear very little clothing鈥攕hort skirts, shorts, and some men even walk around shirtless. Now I have started doing that too; in the summer, my legs are out.

Religion is also viewed differently here. It is treated as deeply personal, and you cannot be overt about it or impose it on others. It鈥檚 not like Nigeria, where you even have morning devotions at work.

Then there鈥檚 racism. Some people will literally cross the street to avoid walking near you because you are Black. You face differential treatment even at work. You only begin to understand these dynamics after living here for a while. I initially chalked it up to being new until I saw newly hired white colleagues receive completely different treatment. That is when it hits you: “Oh, it’s because I am Black.”

But you ultimately shrug it off and keep moving forward because you remember the sacrifices it took to get here.

How do you deal with racism?

I have learned to understand how the system works and use it to my advantage. When a patient was once racist to me, I informed my superior, who instructed me to file a report. The system provides real support for these issues, and the police can even get involved in some cases. Now, when it happens, I stand up for myself and use those safeguards the system provides to protect myself.

How do you feel about the wave of anti-immigrant rhetoric in UK politics?

It is deeply unsettling. Currently, after an asylum seeker stabbed someone. Last year, large anti-immigrant marches were organised by people demanding that foreigners leave. I was terrified at the time, and my family constantly checked on me. But there is little we can do besides pray and trust in God.

Do you feel your Nigerian education and work experience prepared you for the UK?

Yes. Honestly, Nigeria’s educational system is highly robust. I see newly qualified nurses from UK universities, and some of them don鈥檛 know anything. I often have to teach them. Seeing how easily it has been for me makes me incredibly grateful for my training back home.

罢丑别听聽is returning on August 22, 2026, in Lagos! Come learn from finance experts and industry leaders, and partake in unfiltered conversations about building wealth and diversifying your income stream in a country like Nigeria.聽Real stories, expert advice you can actually use, and a community ready to build wealth together.聽.

Have you been back to Nigeria since you moved?

Yes, I visited in 2023. I also hope to travel back this year. I have already asked for my leave so I can be in Nigeria for Detty December.

Nice. Do you see yourself returning to Nigeria permanently in the future?

I recently discussed this with a Zimbabwean colleague who is nearing retirement. She owns properties in Zimbabwe and plans to retire there for a comfortable life, which is wonderful. I used to share that dream, but with how things are going in Nigeria, I鈥檓 not sure it would be a wise decision. But if things change for the better, why not?

I鈥檓 also considering moving to the United States (US). I鈥檝e already passed the US nursing exams. In the UK, professional growth for nurses is a bit limited; you eventually hit a ceiling and plateau. In America, growth is astronomical, and nurses earn a lot more. I鈥檓 just not sure of the exact timeline yet. Relocating from Nigeria was stressful, and I am not entirely ready to repeat that process just yet, but I will move whenever the time is right.

What is your support system like in the UK?

First is my friends. Most of them are fellow nurses who arrived at different times. Since we don鈥檛 have family here, we lean on each other. My best friend and I moved at the same time鈥攕he flew from Lagos, and I flew from Abuja. We isolated together, learned together, and worked in the same hospital before some of us moved to other places. We take annual trips together, and every December, we have a potluck where we eat, party, and cry together.

My church has also been an incredible pillar. They organise forums that offer guidance on surviving in the UK. My pastor is highly approachable; you can call him at any time, even at midnight, and he will listen.

Of course, there鈥檚 my family back home too. Whenever I struggled initially, I would call my parents and cry. Settling in was tough; I cannot tell you how much I cried when I first came into this country. But my family鈥檚 support kept me going.

It is great that you have that support. What is your least favourite thing about the UK?

The winter. Oh my god! I hate the winter. If I make enough money, I will start leaving the UK from December through March to stay in Nigeria, and only work here from April to October.

What about your favourite things?

I love the economic reward system here. If you work, you will make money. In Nigeria, your salary is never enough, and even if you work extra shifts, it won鈥檛 make much difference.

I also love how safe it is. I live far from London, so when I go there for concerts, I often return home around 2:00 AM. I can walk from the train station to my house without worrying about being harassed. I could never dare do that where I grew up in Nigeria.

Travel is also incredibly affordable. If I want a weekend trip to Italy and have just 拢300, I can easily do it. I can fly out, chill for a few days, and come back. And 拢300 isn鈥檛 even a lot of money; I can make that in a single shift. It鈥檚 not like Nigeria, where going abroad is like a big flex; here, it is just a normal thing to do.

Do you travel frequently?

Quite a bit. I have visited Albania, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, Montenegro, Greece, and Rome. I am also heading to Monaco later this year. Mind you, I had planned that trip long before the whole Monaco craze that’s going on right now.

What has been your favourite trip so far?

Most have been fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed my recent vacation to Egypt with a close friend. Mykonos was also incredibly relaxing; Greece is beautiful. I had the best pizza I have ever tasted in Rome. I went paragliding for the first time in Albania. I was just reciting Psalm 91 in the air because I thought I was going to die, but it was amazing.

Do you have a least favourite trip?

I鈥檒l say Morocco. We鈥檇 booked a resort in Agadir for my friend’s birthday, but we missed our direct flight. So we got a flight to Marrakesh and had to take a five-hour drive to Agadir. There were six girls in a car with a driver who only spoke Arabic and a bit of French. I used my limited French to communicate with.

The route had a lot of police checkpoints, and we drove past three horrific accidents with dead bodies on the road. We were absolutely terrified and spent the entire ride praying.

Despite the scary start, the vacation turned out to be incredible. I loved the resort, rode a camel, and even tried quad biking for the first time. It was a wonderful experience, but that first day was really scary.

What has been your worst experience in the UK?

Honestly, nothing here compares to the experiences from Nigeria. Growing up in Delta State, I saw a lot if you get what I mean.

My worst moments in the UK have been at work when I鈥檝e lost patients. Working in intensive care means dealing with patients on the verge of death. I do everything I can to save them, but sometimes they don鈥檛 make it. It is incredibly tough, especially when you have cared for them for a long time and have to comfort their grieving families. But it is part of the job.

What about your best experience?

I cannot pinpoint a single moment, but the good experiences definitely outweigh the bad.

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

I would say an eight. Life is good here, and I always encourage people to move if they can. It is a great country.

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).

Kelechi (21) left Nigeria at the end of 2023 on a fully funded scholarship to study medicine in Moscow, only for it to be discontinued. In this story, he compares life in Russia to Nigeria and shares how he makes ends meet after being left financially stranded by the Nigerian government.

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

I live in Moscow, Russia. I left Nigeria in late 2023.

What inspired you to leave Nigeria?

Honestly, I didn鈥檛 have a particularly strong reason to leave. I just got an opportunity, and I took it. I had already gained admission into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study medicine, but then the scholarship for Russia came through, and I chose that instead.

How did you get the scholarship?

It was a government scholarship鈥攁 bilateral education agreement between Russia and Nigeria. Russia covered the tuition in full, and Nigeria was supposed to handle transport and upkeep for the duration of the studies.

However, the programme is officially dead as of 2026. They’ve cancelled it and issued saying they won’t be accepting new applicants. Those of us already here can finish our studies since the Russian government handles tuition. But the stipends for upkeep from Nigeria have basically stopped.

They picked students from each state, and selection was based on their grades in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.

So, what were the first few weeks in Moscow like?

The weather hit me hard. I wasn鈥檛 prepared for it. We were warned that the temperature went to negative figures, but knowing and feeling are two completely different things. It was my first time seeing snow, my first time experiencing that kind of cold. It was almost painful, but eventually, I got used to it.

The other thing was how individualistic everyone is. People just mind their business. They respect each other’s space and just get on with their lives. Coming from Nigeria, that’s very different.

What about the language? How did you get around that?

So, the government actually accounted for that. None of us spoke Russian, so we were enrolled in a mandatory one-year Russian language programme. Nine months of actual instruction and three months of summer break. It was after that year of Russian studies that we started our first year of university. It wasn’t optional; you had to do it. I speak above-average Russian now.

When you eventually started university, what surprised you most about the academic environment?

The lecturers, honestly. Some of them actually love their jobs, and you can tell. It’s not hard to reach them; their email addresses and contact information are accessible, and they’re willing to help. The resources are also on another level compared to what I expected coming from Nigeria.

In Nigeria, access to a cadaver is a big deal鈥攍ike a once-in-a-blue-moon situation. In Russia, we have cadavers, 3D life-size anatomical models, robotic parts, AI-assisted abdominal models, and photo-realistic brain models. When we studied rat anatomy, every single student got their own rat brain to dissect. Every student got their own histology specimen. In physiology, we had Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines and heart rate monitors that everyone could use.

The class sizes are capped at 20 students, so there’s always enough space and resources for everyone.

When are you expected to graduate?

If things go according to plan, 2029.

Does the scholarship have any academic performance requirements?

Yes. Your GPA cannot fall below 3.0. The Russian government is paying your tuition, and it鈥檚 not cheap; it is about 鈧�20 million. So if your grades drop below that point, you get expelled and lose your student visa. You’ll need to leave the country.

Are your classes taught in Russian or English?

I study in Russian, but some students in the programme study in English; it depends on what you choose.

Let’s talk about money. What did the Nigerian government stipend look like?

The programme had been running for over 15 to 20 years. I heard from people who have been here for a while that they originally got a consistent $500 monthly stipend. But as Nigeria’s economic situation worsened, the payments began to decline.

By the time I got there, they’d unofficially cut it by about 60 per cent, and it wasn’t just the amount; the frequency dropped too. Instead of monthly, they were paying every six months, every eight months, sometimes once a year, and even then, it was almost never in full.

In my first year, they paid us in full, the stipends for all twelve months, all at once. After that, it was less and less frequent until they stopped altogether. At this point in 2026, I’m not expecting any more payments; that’s just my honest read of the situation.

Is $500 a month even enough to live on in Moscow?

If they paid it properly and consistently, it would be doable. You’d still have to be very disciplined with money, though. You can’t be careless, eating at restaurants every week, but it’s manageable for a student.

The problem is that as they reduced it and made it irregular, it became nowhere near enough. It began forcing people to take on extra work to make ends meet, which in turn started affecting academics, which is the main reason we鈥檙e here.

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That鈥檚 so sad. So, what kind of jobs were students taking on?

Restaurant jobs, delivery, call centres, your typical part-time stuff. But the one I’d say is the most useful, and the most viable for Nigerians specifically, is teaching English. Almost every Nigerian can teach English, and if you pick up enough Russian to communicate, you can teach English to Russian kids and actually make money. That鈥檚 what has worked for me here.

And how do you balance that with medical school?

The balance is almost non-existent. Medical school doesn’t give you that kind of breathing room. Some people work just enough hours to cover the minimum for the week and keep their grades intact. Others sacrifice academic performance to work more and be more comfortable. It’s a choice nobody should have to make, but that’s where we see ourselves now.

Has the Russia-Ukraine war had any impact on your daily life in Moscow?

Not really. The war is in Ukraine; it’s not something you feel in Moscow the way people outside might imagine. The scholarship programme itself didn’t end because of the war. Other countries that also have issues with Russia are still bringing students in. It鈥檚 purely Nigeria’s situation that ended our programme.

The one thing I’ll say is that the cost of living has gone up a bit. Meat, for example, used to be really, really cheap here; now it has tripled in cost. Milk too. But these are not life-threatening changes. We can still afford to eat. It鈥檚 just not as cheap as it used to be.

Have you experienced racism in these three years?

I feel like racism is non-existent in Moscow. I think bias exists everywhere and in everyone. But Moscow is a proper metropolis. There are enough Africans who have lived here long enough that the locals are used to having us around. You’re not a new thing; you’re on the same level as everyone else, and that’s how they treat you.

The only time you feel any kind of friction is when there’s a language barrier. If you can’t communicate with someone as well as they’d like, that creates awkwardness. But that’s a language issue, not a race issue.

After your studies, do you see yourself coming back to Nigeria?

Of course. Nigeria is my country. I love home. After I graduate, I want to come back and contribute by using what I’ve learned here to do something useful back home. But that doesn’t mean I’m closing the door on Russia either.

If I can get documents like the , which is like a permanent residence card, that would let me move freely between both countries, I’d want to do that. I’m keeping all my options open. But home is home.

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

I’d say a nine. It’s a modern city with working infrastructure and an incredible transport system. If the train app says you’ll be somewhere in two hours, you’ll be there in exactly two hours. It has everything: good education, flexible work, opportunities, and new experiences. The only reason it’s not a ten is the war.

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