At iJapa.ng, we continue to share inspiring and insightful stories of Nigerians who have relocated abroad, capturing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Today, we bring you the story of Akinsola (name changed for anonymity), a 28-year-old Brands and Marketing professional who made the courageous decision to relocate from Lagos to Canada.
iJapa.ng: Where were you based in Nigeria before you moved?
Akinsola: I was based in Lagos, Nigeria.
iJapa.ng: What were the primary reasons that motivated you to leave Nigeria?
Akinsola: My relocation to Canada began when my fiancée expressed her desire to pursue a master’s degree there. Initially, I resisted because I felt content with my life and career in Nigeria. This caused tension between us, but eventually, I decided to support her dreams and applied for a postgraduate diploma so we could be together.
iJapa.ng: Did any specific events or circumstances influence your decision?
Akinsola: Yes, my fiancée influenced my decision. To my surprise, I was accepted and got my visa, but my fiancée was waitlisted and ultimately didn’t get admitted. This created a new challenge: I was set to travel, but she would remain in Nigeria. Despite the difficulty, we discussed it and I decided to go ahead with the plan. As fate would have it, just when I committed to moving, a job opportunity in Canada came up, which I immediately seized.
iJapa.ng: How did you prepare for your move (financially, emotionally, logistically)?
Akinsola: Financially, I didn’t struggle because I had savings set aside for both myself and my fiancée. However, emotionally, it was a different story. I felt very unsure of myself and was dealing with a lot of uncertainty. Logistically, I planned well by using logistics companies to send food items and other necessities, though this was quite expensive.
iJapa.ng: What challenges did you face during the preparation phase?
Akinsola: Emotional blackmail 😂
iJapa.ng: Can you describe your journey from Nigeria to your new country?
Akinsola: It was an incredibly long journey, and at times, it felt like it would never end. Since then, I’ve made it a point to pray for the comfort and means to always travel first class or business class because, on that trip, I reached a point where I couldn’t feel my butt anymore. 😅
iJapa.ng: Were there any unexpected events or surprises during your travel?
Akinsola: Not at all.
iJapa.ng: What were the initial challenges you faced upon arrival?
Akinsola: Finding an apartment was extremely difficult. I was required to have a guarantor who had permanent residency or was a citizen of Canada before I could get an offer. It took me two months of staying in an Airbnb before I finally found someone willing to stand in as my guarantor.
iJapa.ng: How did you overcome these challenges?
Akinsola: I was prepared for it and I will say my faith in God played a vital role.
iJapa.ng: How has your experience been so far in your new country (in terms of work, social life, etc.)?
Akinsola: I am more productive in Canada, but my social life has dropped from 100 to 20.
iJapa.ng: What are some of the significant differences you’ve noticed compared to life in Nigeria?
Akinsola: The system works over here, and you will definitely be fine as long as you have a job.
iJapa.ng: What advice would you give to Nigerians considering Japa?
Akinsola: Have a plan.
iJapa.ng: Are there any specific resources or tips that helped you which you think others should know about?
Akinsola: Networking led to my current job, which I secured even before leaving Nigeria. I met the CEO at a summit where I was representing my former company.
iJapa.ng: Could you provide an estimate of the total cost of your migration (travel, visas, initial living expenses, etc.)?
Akinsola: $48,000 USD.
iJapa.ng: What financial advice would you give to others planning to migrate?
Akinsola: Please have enough savings and a backup before leaving.
iJapa.ng: What are your future plans and aspirations in your new country?
Akinsola: Actually, I don’t have one yet because it’s not my final destination.
iJapa.ng: Do you have any plans to return to Nigeria someday?
Akinsola: Of course, but not permanently, probably to shuffle between the two countries.
iJapa.ng: If you had the opportunity to migrate again, what would you do differently?
Akinsola: To have a solid plan B.
iJapa.ng: Are there any lessons learned that you think are crucial for others to know?
Akinsola: Pls be smart, always pray, and be honest with yourself at least.
iJapa.ng: Would you prefer that we publish your story anonymously?
Akinsola: Yes.
iJapa.ng: Now that you are out of the country, how do you intend to contribute to the growth of Nigeria?
Akinsola: I plan to create more job opportunities for Nigerians.
Akinsola’s story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of better opportunities. If you have a Japa story to share or know someone who does, connect with us at iJapa.ng and let’s inspire others together.
You can also share your Japa story with us here
