Some people japa (migrate) once and start building their life afresh. But not Sammy. He japaed twice, and each move came with its own sacrifice and survival lessons. When Nigeria became too much to deal with, he packed his bags and left for Ukraine, hoping for a fresh start. He never imagined that just one year later, he would be going through the process of starting all over again in a new country. This time it was the UK.
Sammy, who left Nigeria in 2021 and currently resides in the UK, shares what it really means to chase a better life abroad. From navigating a language barrier in Ukraine to working night shifts in a warehouse in the UK, his journey is a raw, unfiltered story of resilience and reinvention.
Was there a specific moment that made you say, “I can’t stay anymore”?
It was shortly after the pandemic, and the entire world was going through it. But in Nigeria, it felt like everything just paused, and nothing was moving. I just said to myself, if I don’t leave now, something bad will happen.
What did you imagine life abroad would fix or at least make easier?
I have never pictured life abroad to be “once you get in, everything is just going to work for you.” I have had my hand in politics. Sometimes, I look at our politicians; they travel abroad, they see things, and yet, we just lack the basic amenities. Even though at the time I had not traveled out. We watch movies, and we see so many things, and I was like why can’t I have a bit of that sanity? What I had in mind about relocation was that when I get there, there’s going to be a steady power supply, good roads, and the like. I just wanted those basic life amenities. That was it for me.
You first left for Ukraine; why Ukraine? At the time, what did Ukraine offer that Nigeria couldn’t?
Initially, I wanted to go to Canada. I was in the express entry pool before the pandemic came and scattered everything. I waited for months, years, and nothing was working. And then the opportunity came that I could actually go to Ukraine and study, and I could go with my spouse. So I saw it as an avenue just to exit, especially as I had had enough and just wanted to leave.
What was the hardest thing to adjust to in your first three months?
Getting a job was hard, and the language barrier was always there, so for the first three months, it was difficult. Google Translate helped, and then I tried as much to communicate with the locals, be it on the bus or at the stores. I just wanted to show that I was interested in learning the language. As time went by, everything became okay.
How did you manage to build a community in a place where you were a visible minority?
When I came in, the Black community was there, and I was fortunate to meet good people. Eventually, I also saw friends I knew from back home in Nigeria. Also, where I lived, we had lots of Blacks there. One of the African stores was close to where I live, so I was seeing Blacks on a steady basis. Also, where I work, there were some Black guys, and we had a good rapport, and it just grew from there.
You stayed in Ukraine for a while. At what point did you decide that Ukraine wasn’t the “final bus stop” and it was time to leave?
I went with my wife, and we stayed for a year. My wife took in during this period. We had this mindset that we were going to have our baby there, and he would be Ukrainian and get his passport, and we would get our permanent residency. But when I saw some of my Black folks there with kids, especially the ones not buoyant enough to send their kids to private schools, I noticed their spoken English wasn’t something I wanted for mine. I just felt like I wanted more for my kids, which was one of the reasons I left Nigeria anyway. I just wanted to give my kids a good life. That’s how the UK came into the picture. The UK was never in my plan, though I had family there, lots of family members. I thought maybe I should just give the UK a go, and that was how we moved.
Most people japa once. You had to japa a second time. Why did you leave Ukraine for the UK, and how did you manage the “double investment”?
It was a lot of commitment financially, having just lived there for a year. You haven’t fully recovered from the millions spent on moving to Ukraine, and now you are going to have to spend more millions. But while I was in Ukraine and working, I told myself I was going to save every penny, and that was what I did. I had friends living in big apartments and doing all sorts. I didn’t even buy a car. It was a lot of commitment, but it was because I set my mind to it, and I was never going to let myself down. I didn’t really care then, even though I knew I was going to spend a lot of money, but I knew it was in the right direction. I just had to relocate again to the UK.
What felt easier in the UK compared to Ukraine?
The language. It was easier to communicate, and we were open to more opportunities. However, life in Ukraine was cool. The money we made then was enough for us to earn a good living. When I moved to the UK, I stayed with my sister, but when I got my first apartment, it was nothing compared to where I lived in Ukraine, which was way better.
What was your first job in the UK, and how did it make you feel about yourself?
My first job was actually in a warehouse, Poundland, I remember. I worked in the chill zone, night shift. It was horrible. But when I was leaving Ukraine for the UK, I was ready to take on any job, so it wasn’t really a big deal for me because I already made up my mind that I was willing to do anything to cater for my family as long as I wouldn’t be on the wrong side of the law.
Many Nigerians in the UK struggle with the “hustle.” What were the hardest sacrifices you and your spouse made while you were schooling and trying to break into the UK job market?
My wife and I were hungry for success, and we were both grinding. My wife was pregnant when we moved into the country, and it was just a couple of months before she gave birth. My wife started working a month after giving birth. It was like we wanted to get out there and do something for a better life. It was never a time to be lazy around. Luckily, my wife first broke into the labour market through a friend. She got to do a course and got into her professional career. It was a bit difficult for me because I was schooling. My wife was in London, and I was studying in Edinburgh. I had to travel, and most times I’m on the last flight to Edinburgh to go back to school and then back to London. So it was a bit of in and out for me. Thanks to COVID, we were able to do some classes online. Shuttling was the major struggle.
What is one thing people back home don’t understand about life abroad?
People back home see that life abroad is good, and that is the truth. Life abroad is good, but for everything you see, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes going on. People at home don’t get to see that, and that is the painful part. They just feel like those abroad are getting everything at their beck and call, and that is simply because they are not seeing the grind going on behind the scenes. Like I tell some of my mates, I cannot remember the last time I was at the pub, but back in Nigeria, it was an everyday activity. No matter how you try to explain to people back home, they can never understand until they come in and experience it for themselves. Life is good, but it can be terrible sometimes if you lose focus. People back home have this mentality that when you come abroad, you pick up money on the floor, but that’s not the case. There’s a lot of sacrifice and determination, but they don’t get to see that. So it’s a bit difficult for them to understand.
Do you sometimes feel isolated or homesick? How do you cope?
Isolated, NO. I have lots of family around, my sisters and cousins. I feel homesick sometimes. Just like I mentioned about the pub, I miss that. I miss hanging out on Friday nights. I miss friends. Most times, you feel like you want to go back home. It actually took me four years to go back home. It’s just one of those sacrifices we make.
Narrate your worst and best experiences so far abroad.
I wouldn’t say I have had any worse experience. But I have had some beautiful moments.
Looking at your life now in the UK, is it everything you thought it would be when you were packing up your bags and leaving Nigeria?
I wouldn’t say it’s everything I thought it would be. It’s on a journey which I’m still on. I’m not where I used to be. Life is a process; I’m evolving as long as I stay focused. It’s not where I pictured in my head that I’d be, but it’s way better than where I was in Nigeria, and I’m grateful to God for all I have achieved, and I know He will open doors for me to achieve more as long as I keep moving. There is something my dad of blessed memory used to say, “As long as I don’t break down, I will break through”. This has kept me going through the years. Let’s just say I’m at 50 percent of what I pictured in my mind. I would say I’m not doing too badly; it’s a journey and I’m still on the way.
What would you tell Nigerians who think moving abroad will instantly fix their lives?
Moving abroad will not instantly fix your life, but if you have a plan, if you’re focused and truthful to yourself, moving abroad can do two things. It can fix your life and set you in the right direction. On the flip side, if you are not focused and determined, being abroad can/might destroy your life. It’s either of those two things.
Some people return home after years abroad; do you ever see yourself returning to Nigeria permanently?
I’m one of those people who would love to go back home to retire. Because yeah, there is no place like home. Nigeria is my home, and I can never be afraid of going back home. After years abroad, this is something I am looking forward to, probably after retirement.
