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.
This week’s Abroad Life subject decided to quit her banking job in Nigeria and become a permanent resident of Canada in 2004. This was after she had stayed in the country as a visitor for eight months due to a series of fertility treatments. She tells us her motivations for leaving Nigeria, how she got her permanent residency papers in Canada and the ups and downs of residing there.
What was your motivation for moving to Canada?
Two things motivated me — safety and fertility treatments.
Safety was a huge priority for me. The crime rate was increasing, with no one being safe from thieves and armed robbers no matter where they found themselves. In Nigeria, I was a banker who sometimes worked late into the night. I was robbed of my gold jewellery twice, and money at gunpoint while waiting in traffic. From then on, I grew from disliking to hating the Nigerian government. I felt I could lose my life at any time. This is not exclusive of the poverty, corruption, bribery and what-have-you that cripples the country daily.
I also had a series of fertility treatments for eight months, as I had one child and was hoping for another. But during that period, I found out that the immigration system in Canada was friendly, and one could process their papers for permanent residency. I immediately latched onto the opportunity to find a better future for myself and my family in Canada.
Wow! How would you describe the healthcare you received?
The good thing with Canadian doctors is that you can be sure you’re in good hands. Their healthcare is excellent. The doctors also fear lawsuits and wouldn’t like barking up the wrong tree. Everything is so precise and professional. It was even done in a government clinic, not a private one, so I could trust that the doctors would be honest (since they weren’t gaining anything). Usually, you’d need to pay with health insurance, but since I was still considered a foreigner back then, I paid in cash. It wasn’t expensive at all.
Nice! So how did you process your migration?
I was on a temporary visa and didn’t reside permanently in Canada immediately. After undergoing the treatments in 2003, I then asked my employers at the bank for more time on my maternity leave. But they refused to give that extra grace.
Because of that, I resigned.
Since the work pressure was gone, I focused on finding ways to get permanent residency in Canada. I found a lawyer who advised me to process my papers through the “skilled worker” class. At the time, there was a self-test to see if one was eligible for the role, and due to my former role as a banker, I scored high marks in the banking category. This also helped me to get a great score overall on my assessment. I became the principal applicant for my family, and we permanently relocated later that year. I gave birth to my second and last child in the following year, 2004.
Did you experience any culture shocks?
Yes, I did.
Firstly, Canadians are not as warm and friendly as Nigerians. They love to mind their business a lot. It even affected my daughter because she started having an identity crisis — should she act Nigerian or Canadian? One must learn that not greeting or visiting people doesn’t mean they are bad. Some of them are not all bad, but most have this issue. In a way, this trait teaches you about self-sufficiency.
Are there benefits to living in Canada?
Yes, there are. Their education system is great. If you like to self-develop, this is the country for you. In Canada, you never stop learning. You’ll learn until you want to cry.
It’s also easy for you to transition career paths. I transitioned from banking to social work. I feel safer where I live in Ottawa. I can wear a gold chain to a party, I can be in traffic and not be afraid (unlike Nigeria). I can drive late at night, which profits me more because the roads are free. The public transportation system is very clean and cheap. It’s amazing here.
How did you make the switch from banking to social work?
I started working as a social worker in 2007 when I did my Bachelor’s degree in sociology here. In 2015, I decided to have a Master’s degree in Social Work, due to its lucrativeness.
I recently started working for the Ontario Government this month due to my social work service. It has been great so far.
That’s great! Are there any disadvantages to living in Canada?
The only thing I can think of is racism. There is a huge absence of racial diversity here. You can find 70 white students and five blacks in a classroom. The race count is always very disproportionate.
There was this one time during my Master’s that I noticed I was marked down in a particular course because I was black (I always got a B-), while my white counterparts would get an A+ for the same answers. I’d probably have graduated with a bad grade if I hadn’t confronted my lecturer. In the end, she started giving me an A+ after she realised I had caught her in the act.
However, I wouldn’t say it affects your chances of doing well in Canada. So long as you have the skillset and you’ve done your Master’s (they always favour people with a Master’s degree).
Would you ever go back to Nigeria?
Of course, yes. I miss Nigeria daily – the warmth, the parties, and the ability to get cheap local food. However, the only way I’d ever go back is if there is a change in government and a visionary leader. If things remain the status quo, I would rather retire here.
