Every Nigerian who has ever queued at a petrol station for over three hours, or watched their salary lose value due to naira depreciation, has had the thought: “I need to leave this country.” For some, it stays a thought. For Harrison, who relocated to the UK, the 2023 election result was what finally moved this thought to reality. What started as a carefully planned escape from Nigeria’s uncertain future has turned into a race against time, visa rules, and a system that keeps changing the rules.
When did you decide to leave Nigeria?
The day Bola Tinubu was announced the winner of the 2023 elections. I had been considering relocating for a while, but didn’t really give it much thought. I already witnessed how APC had caused so much pain and hardship for Nigerians in their first four years. I could not imagine what four more years under APC and Tinubu would look like. I didn’t want to stay and continue with “let’s manage” or “e go better” while my future gets swallowed by inconsiderate politicians.
So, I began the application process and was admitted to a master’s programme in digital marketing. I left Lagos in September 2023. It felt like an escape, honestly.
What was the UK like when you arrived?
It was a different world. Everything worked; the trains, the buses, the systems. It took some time to get used to it, especially as someone coming from Lagos, where everything is a hustle, and you are always improvising just to survive. Here, you do not need to know someone before you access things. I was surprised when I opened my bank account without any stress, and they delivered my ATM card to my address, with no charges.
What was it like combining school and work?
As an international student, I could only work 20 hours per week, and I had classes twice a week. So, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I worked in a warehouse, and that job humbled me, I won’t lie, especially since I was coming from the banking industry, where I sat in an air-conditioned office. It was physically demanding. I have to lift heavy things, and sometimes I get tired before the shift ends. But it paid bills, and as an international student, you have to survive somehow.
School was not as easy as those social media people made it look. It was one assignment after the other, and group presentations. And here, they take plagiarism very seriously, so you have to do proper research and cite your sources. But in the end, the long nights paid off. I graduated in 2024 with good grades and was proud of myself.
After school, what happened next?
I started applying for jobs. People were advising me to try for care roles even when I was schooling, but I refused. I wasn’t cut out for that. I wanted a well-paying, skilled worker job with sponsorship. I had good grades and experience from Nigeria. How hard can it be to land a decent role? The roles that would have been perfect for me are not able to sponsor visas, and that’s the hard truth nobody tells you clearly enough before you come. That made the job application process tough because finding the ones that can sponsor is really hard. And when you finally see the ones that can sponsor, you keep getting “unfortunately”.
I’m now in my second year on my post-study work visa. I have maybe a few months before things get really urgent. And I’m beginning to worry. And the irony is that the care jobs I was rejecting before are the ones I’m actively looking for now, but no luck yet. The market has become saturated. Everyone needs a job, just like me. At this point, I’m not even trying to be picky; I’m trying to be realistic.
I heard care jobs are easier to get if you can drive, since many require home visits across different locations. So I invested in that. I took my driving test and passed. I bought a car too. Whether it will pay off, I’m still waiting to see.
How are you dealing with all the pressure?
I’m coping. I have refused to carry this thing like it’s the end of the world. Nigeria is still there. My family is still there. Home is still home. I am not one of those people who will destroy their health chasing a visa. High blood pressure, anxiety, depression, for what? If this visa expires and nothing has come through, I will just pack my bags and go back without shame. Life continues.
What is your biggest frustration right now?
The system. The UK immigration policies keep changing. Every few months, there’s a new rule, a new cap, a new restriction. It feels like they let you in and then slowly close every door behind you. Things are always changing, and it is particularly hard for immigrants who planned everything based on the rules that existed when they arrived. It’s exhausting.
Do you regret moving to the UK?
Not at all. Zero regrets. The experience alone, learning how systems actually function when a government is not actively sabotaging its own people, has changed me.
What would you tell someone in Nigeria considering the same route?
Do your research. Not the social media version, the real version. If you are taking the study route, pick the right courses that would actually open doors for you. Plan carefully and be flexible. Get skills that are in demand, but be ready to do jobs you didn’t imagine. Keep your family and friends close; they are your safety net.
