The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.
Imisi’s life changed after a hospital’s negligence led to her father’s sudden death. In this story, she shares how the hurt and heartbreak forced her to leave Nigeria and never look back — a decision that has changed her life and moved her income from ₦180,000 monthly to $85,000 per annum.
Where do you currently live, and when did you move from Nigeria?
I currently live in Canada. I moved in June last year.
What was the major inspiration behind your relocation?
It was a mixture of reasons. First, I had a breakup that kind of reset my head. Then, there was a close friend who’s abroad move opened me up to the idea of japa. But the biggest reason was what happened to my dad in the Nigerian healthcare system. My cousin had been talking to me about applying for a Canadian permanent residency visa, but I was never impressed by the idea. But all the reservations I had about moving disappeared after that incident.
Can you share more details about that?
My dad had cancer, and my brother, who’s a doctor, was his primary caregiver. However, we had to rely on other Nigerian doctors when my brother relocated to the UK. Just one month after he left, my dad went for his usual chemo, and everything seemed fine until it wasn’t.
At some point during that particular hospital visit, we were informed that my father needed oxygen. This wouldn’t have been an issue, except the oxygen in question wasn’t readily available; the hospital said they had to go get oxygen from the emergency unit to my dad’s room, but everything seemed disorganised and chaotic, so the search for the oxygen went on for minutes. Before I could even process what was going on, my dad had died. That day changed everything for me. It showed me that in Nigeria, you can have money and still not have access to basic things. That was a big wake-up call.
Before that incident, relocating wasn’t something I really cared about. I had a partner at the time, and the plan was for him to travel first, then I’d join him later. But then my dad passed, and my partner broke my heart too. I didn’t know how to process the fact that he wasn’t there for me while I was mourning and burying my father.
Around the same time, my friend at work who had been encouraging me to renew my passport finally relocated to the US. That made it feel real. I thought, “Okay, this is possible. Let me try.”
I’m so sorry. What was your life in Nigeria like before all of this?
I was working as an accountant with a startup. I was earning ₦180,000 monthly, which was fine because I didn’t have many responsibilities. I wasn’t sending money home or taking care of anyone. I was still getting an allowance from home sometimes, so I was comfortable. I was just working, hanging out with friends, and living my life. I had the chance to leave Nigeria through the permanent residency route, and I took it.
What was moving to Canada like for you as an adult?
It was harder than I expected. I was initially excited, but as the time got closer, it became emotional. I resigned from my job three months before I left Nigeria because I wanted to spend time with my mum. I wanted to enjoy home one last time.
Thankfully, my cousin (who told me about PR) was already living in Canada, so I had a place to stay and food to eat. I had a soft landing. But I still put pressure on myself because I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.
READ ALSO: She Spent Three Days in the Canadian Express Entry Pool and Relocated As a Permanent Resident
The weather also took a toll on me. It was summer, but I was still really cold. My lips were dry, and my skin was breaking out. I was job hunting for about five months, and I was picky because I didn’t want to do survival jobs. Eventually, I got a job that was even better than what I had hoped for.
I love that for you!
Life is way better in Canada. I went from earning ₦180,000 to about $85,000 a year (before bonuses). I’ve been here for over a year now, and never had to worry about generator noise or a transformer blowing and spoiling the food in my fridge. It’s different here, but in a good way. At least now, when I work hard, I see the results. Back home, it didn’t always feel like that.
Have you been able to build a social life since you moved?
Yeah, but it’s seasonal. Social life in Canada is for summer. Once summer is over, that’s it. At the same time, I lucked out with my cousin’s wife, who is also my good friend and very social. She knows everyone in Toronto. So I am always going out and meeting new people through her.
Were there any culture shocks when you first moved?
So many. A big one is how people hold the door for you, even when you’re still far behind. I’ve started doing it too now, subconsciously.
Another is calling people by their first names. I work as an accountant, and my controller is Nigerian. I kept calling him “sir,” and he had to email me to start calling him by his first name.
And then there’s transportation. You have to plan your movement based on bus and train schedules. It’s not like CMS in Lagos, where you just jump into a yellow bus whenever you like.
What are your long-term plans now that you’re in Canada?
I’m focusing on growing my career and eventually switching into something new. I’m fine where I am, but I want to move up. I also want to bring my mum here. That’s a big part of my plan. If I’m not returning to Nigeria, I need to bring home with me. Maybe eventually, I’ll meet someone and settle down, but for now, I’m just taking life one day at a time.
Is there any chance you’ll move back to Nigeria?
No, hell no. I have no plans to move back. The best I can do is visit once in a while. I’m just counting down to the three years until I can get my Canadian citizenship. After that, maybe I’ll consider moving to another country, but definitely not back to Nigeria.
What are some perks of living in Canada?
The biggest perk is that the system works: Free healthcare, for instance. I went for a full-body checkup with my family doctor and didn’t pay anything. That same thing in Nigeria would’ve cost a fortune.
Here, you don’t need to kill yourself doing multiple jobs. Even blue-collar jobs are respected and pay well. Once you put in the work, you’ll see results. You’re not constantly fighting against the system like in Nigeria. The only person you’re competing with here is yourself.
On a scale of one to ten, how happy would you say you are in Canada?
It’s a solid 100. I feel like I’m living my answered prayers. Getting a passport, dealing with the crazy exchange rates, and not getting a job for six months was hard. I cried a lot. But not once did I regret moving. I always believed I’d get a job eventually, and I did.
Now, there’s nothing I want that I can’t plan for or afford. I can dream bigger. Things I couldn’t even think about back then, I can now confidently plan.
Do you want to share your Abroad Life story? Please reach out to me here. For new episodes of Abroad Life, check in every Friday at 12 PM (WAT).
