Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa
Ebun (21) fled Ukraine when the war started in 2022, but after two years in Nigeria, she has returned to the country despite the ongoing war. With school fees as low as $2,000, she shares why studying in Ukraine is a great option that other Nigerians should consider
Disclaimer: The experiences shared in this story are unique to the interviewee. While it is centred around a country experiencing conflict, it is not intended to glorify or encourage relocation to war zones. If you’re considering Ukraine as a study destination, we strongly advise you to do further research and assess the safety risks before making any decisions.
Where do you currently live, and when did you relocate from Nigeria?
I currently live in Ukraine. I first left Nigeria in 2018 but had to come back in 2022 due to the war. I left Nigeria again for Ukraine in November 2024 and have been here since.
Why did you move back to Ukraine?
I’ve been schooling in Ukraine since 2018, but the war broke out, and it affected academics, so everybody had to run for safety. At first, I joined a group of international students, and we moved to Romania temporarily.
At some point, rumours started spreading that the war would become a nuclear war. As an 18-year-old (at the time), I wasn’t the best at making great decisions—some people stayed in Europe to make money, but I returned to my parents. That was my first mistake.
I moved back to Nigeria in March 2022, thinking the war would end in two months. However, I stayed in Nigeria for about three years, and the war was still not over. At that point, I decided to return to Ukraine to continue my education. I was a third-year medicine student when the war started, and there were transfer options, but they were too expensive for my parents.
Did you consider schooling in Nigeria?
I was scared of starting from scratch because that would mean studying anatomy and the basics of medicine all over again. I just wanted to move forward
I kept hoping that the war would end soon. I sat at home for a full year, but it didn’t end. That was when my parents insisted that I study medicine at a Nigerian university, but I told them that was the last thing I’d do. I still hold that sentiment to this day because there’s no point in spending resources you can use to educate yourself in Ukraine at a Nigerian university.
I chose to study online throughout those years in Nigeria. I also spent several months interning at hospitals, so I gained hands-on experience while I was studying.
In 2023, my parents decided they had enough of me taking online courses. Luckily, I also discovered that the city where I was schooling in Ukraine was no longer affected by the war, so I told them I wanted to return. Or at least try moving to other countries.
How did they react?
They were supportive. However, while trying to return, my visa was denied four times. The fourth visa application was the most expensive. It cost about ₦2,000,000. My parents had already paid my school fees in Ukraine before the visa got denied, but we had to forfeit it. They had genuinely tried their best, so they took me to Leadcity University in Ibadan and asked me to continue my education there. I convinced them to give me another chance to get a visa, and they agreed. That’s the one that finally went through.
Congratulations. What did you do differently to get the visa?
There were no direct flights to Ukraine then, so I had to try going through neighbouring countries. I applied for the first visa in November 2023 at the German Embassy as It was the easiest way to return to Ukraine, but I was denied. That visa cost between ₦300,000 to ₦400,000 at the time. It wasn’t an outrageous amount to my dad, so he asked me to try again; I tried France and was also denied. I tried Hungary, but that was denied, too. Shout out to my dad because I don’t know how many parents would continue investing so much money in something that wasn’t working. Moldova was my last option. They don’t have an embassy in Nigeria, but they have agents who can help you through the process. It took eight weeks, but the visa was approved.
What are the important details to know before studying in Ukraine?
Ukraine is one of the easiest places to migrate to as a student. All you need is your West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate. You should get an invite after you submit it to whatever school you’re applying to—the invitation comes through DHL. Once you get it, you can then apply for your visa. You should use a Nigerian agent for this process. As of 2018, it only took ₦5,000,000 for my parents to sponsor me to Ukraine, but now, school fees cost between $3,000 to $6,500 annually. I pay $3,000 here. I used to pay $4,000, but the school subsidised it by $1,000 because of the war. Some schools even charge as low as $2,000.
How likely are you to recommend Ukraine to other Nigerians?
The war is likely going to end this year. When it’s over, the visa process will become straightforward. However, you’ll need an agent regardless because you can’t do it alone. You’ll be invited for an interview, but it’s no big deal because they don’t typically reject people. People should give Ukraine a chance because it’s a beautiful country, and life is easier here. Sponsoring me here is the best thing my parents ever did for me. Classes start around 9 am and end by 3 pm. Studying here is flexible and amazing.
How bad is the war right now?
It’s only bad on the actual war front. You know how people assume that every part of Nigeria is very dangerous because of what they see in the news? That’s how it is here, too. Many areas are not affected by the war. You won’t even hear bomb blasts or gunshots in some cities like Ivano-Frankivsk or Kyiv, the capital city. Kyiv is where most Nigerians stay currently because it’s relatively safe. I have no plans to leave; that’s how secure it is. There are opportunities to intern at hospitals while you study. I also make extra money here by teaching the locals English.
How does it feel to be a Nigerian in Ukraine?
I’m the only African here—well, except for one other guy, but he’s married and still trying to hit on me. It gets lonely sometimes because I do everything alone. Before the war, Nigerians were everywhere, but that’s no longer the case. I have classmates in Ukraine, but they mostly live in Kyiv for work.
Working in the hospital helps, though. As a born-again Christian, being in Ukraine allows me to evangelise, making my time here feel more meaningful. I have made some Indian and Ukrainian friends, but having Nigerian friends would definitely make life better.
On a scale of one to 10, how happy are you in Ukraine?
I’m so happy. I don’t have any regrets. The only regret I have is moving back to Nigeria when I did. I’m happier here; my spiritual life is better, I’m more independent, and I’m experiencing all-round growth. It’s a 10 over 10 for me.
Want to to share your japa story? Please reach out to me here.
