Source: FunTimes Magazine
Before she ever applied for a student visa or booked a flight to the UK, she was like many young Nigerians, trying to build a life in Lagos while quietly battling the chaos that comes with it. For some people, Lagos is energy, opportunity, and endless motion. But for others, it is noise, fear, and a constant feeling of being on edge.
Shally’s decision to relocate was shaped by a longing for safety. And like many Nigerians today, she found herself asking a difficult question: “How long can I keep surviving instead of living?” In September 2024, she left Nigeria for the UK on a student visa.
What was life like before you decided to leave Nigeria?
I lived in Lagos. Life was okay and peaceful. I started making plans to travel out at some point. I considered Canada at first, and I had an uncle who was already making arrangements. At the same time, I still kept my options open. I thought of the long process it would take for the visa and PR, and I wasn’t willing to wait that long. So I opted for the UK student visa. It was faster, straightforward, and I got my visa in a week.
What made you leave Nigeria?
The Lagos lifestyle wasn’t for me. I tried to adapt, but it felt like the city was fighting me. My phone was stolen several times. My bag was dragged. I bought an iPhone 12, and it was stolen in less than a month. I can’t even count the number of incidents. And every time this happened, I went into despair and emotional trauma. These incidents made me start thinking about leaving. Also, my dad and sister were already in the UK, and I wanted to be closer to them. That pushed me to finally make the move.
How would you describe your first few months in the UK? Any culture shocks?
The first day I arrived, the cold hit me. The moment I stepped out of the airport, I asked myself, “Is there an AC somewhere they need to turn off?” But that was just the weather. It took time to adjust and adapt because I kept waiting for it to feel like the Nigerian weather I was used to.
Another shock was using Google Maps for everything. Where I am coming from, I don’t use Google Maps to find anywhere. Now I have to get used to it.
Job hunting was not easy either. I had to register on different job platforms. At some point, I was going broke. I remember an embarrassing incident when I went to look for a job in Corby and had less than £5 on me. On my way back, I could not pay for my transport. I stood at the bus station, and the bus driver was just looking at me as I was counting my coins. One old man had to step in and tap his card for me. Funnily enough, I didn’t get that job. Their app was not compatible with my Android phone. The guy there looked at me like my phone had already disqualified me. It was embarrassing. I just knew I wouldn’t be able to work with them because it would mean getting a new phone. But I kept pushing. My first job was in a warehouse. After that, more opportunities came, and things started to settle.
Would you say life is better now than when you were in Nigeria?
What I know is that here, if you put in A, you will reap your A. In Nigeria, you can put in A, B, C, even Z, and still not get A. It’s like pouring water into a basket. Unless you know somebody who knows somebody, you may never reach the top. But here, you don’t need to know somebody. Your degree and experience matter. With these, you will be given the opportunity. Your certificate will help open the door, but your experience helps you get in.
Have you experienced any form of racism?
Indirect racism, the one that is silent. They don’t come up to your face and tell you. They carry this grudge, especially at work. They won’t tell you what to do, even when you ask how to do it. I have experienced it many times. Currently, I work with Florence and get the opportunity to visit different care homes. Sometimes, when I get there, I don’t know the procedures or protocols because most care homes have their own. We have the basic foundation, care guide, and rules, but each care home has its own routine and way of doing things. So when you go there and ask how to do this or that, they don’t give you the answer. They want you to make the mistake so they can fault you; that is how I see the racism.
How do you feel about your care job?
I love caring for people. I was an early childhood teacher. I was taking care of little children, ages 3 months. They bring them to the daycare, so I’m used to caring for people. This time around, I‘m caring for older people. I see them as children because their minds sometimes work that way. I love what I do, but most of the time, I do not like the management.
How do you handle Black tax?
There is no pressure because I do not have many people back home, just my mom and sister. My mum is doing well; she is a professor. My younger sister is still in secondary school. So the bills are not much. My mum takes care of things back home. If there is a need for me to input, I just do it of my own volition, not because of any pressure from anyone. Most of the money I send back home is maybe to friends, and it is not an obligation.
Do you miss home?
No! But I miss my mom and sister. I miss the food. It’s been a while since I had suya. I have not had a good mango, the species I like. I have not had that roasted corn and pear by the roadside. I miss all that.
What is your take on the changing immigration policies in the UK?
I think it is just political propaganda. Let your mind rest. Do what you need to do. Also, I don’t let these things bother me. These policies have been changing for years. Before now, there wasn’t even a Post‑Study Work visa for students. So, don’t let your heart be troubled. Do what you need to enjoy each day as it comes.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you here in the UK?
I would say 8, if things don’t change.
If Nigeria became better, would you pack up and go back permanently?
I actually intend to go back to Nigeria, irrespective of the condition. I do not intend to spend my retirement years here in the UK. I hope by the grace of God to retire by 50 and go back home, where I can enjoy the fruit of my labor.
What advice would you give to anyone considering relocating to the UK, especially given all the policy changes?
I would give one piece of advice. If it is quite impossible to go to Australia or the US, I would tell you to come to the UK as a student. It is not as if it is impossible to get a work visa. But if it is impossible, I would tell you to go through the student route. It’s easy to get the visa, but the journey is not. You have to be willing to endure, persevere, be resilient, and patient, and everything will fall in place. Also, choose a school in a good location where you can easily get jobs. I had a friend who came in and found it difficult to get a job because the school was somewhere in the north. He had to travel by train all the way to Liverpool to look for a job. He had to squat with a friend because of the distance. It was quite hectic for him because there were no companies in his school area. Also, England is not the only place. Everyone is rushing here. Try Northern Ireland. Try Scotland. These places need to be explored. They shouldn’t be overlooked.
