₦airaland Forum

Luckybelt:
Does anyone do any investment (st0ck, b0nds, ETFs ) that yields 12% p.a. Low risk?

Low risk and 12% would be a stretch. Best bet would be a global ETF.


Oddly, if looking at the long-term (>10yrs), ETFs are pretty safe with good returns. The price you pay to get that return is the volatility you endure in the short-term i.e it can drop significantly in the short-term.
If you want to avoid that volatility then certain b0nds would be the option but the yields would be low and possibly be below inflation. With b0nds, you get guaranteed returns.
I personally only do passibe and global ETFs and use money market funds or high interest savings when I need the money in a short defined period. e.g when looking to buy a house

Just before Christmas, Essex University announced that it would close its Southend campus this summer due to a big fall in international students, who pay much higher fees. The move will affect 800 students, as well as staff, but it will also have a huge impact on a city that has come to depend on the university in many ways.

I thought most universities have stabilised. Another campus which includes a nursing school closes.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/04/essex-university-southend-campus-closure-seaside-deprivation

HustlaOfLagos:
This...

I remember when this conversation several moons ago on this thread and people were saying the grass isn't greener etc. Some will even tell you that "Na because e easy for you advice full your mouth" which does not even make sense

My friend that entered Canada after me is due for his passport next year while I am still waiting for new policies and how it will affect me. Even with the PR and citizenship enroute, he is still looking at EB1A so he can tap into the business opportunities in the US

Fortune favours the brave and those who prepare for contingencies or have alternate plans. It is not easy, but nothing good comes easy at the end of the day

Hehe... 'Grass isnt greener' a.k.a 'it's thesame everywhere'. When I saw those pushing that I knew the ulterior motives involved. I've been and the grass dey different.... e green die sotay peace of mind wan kill me.


On my recent return to Canada from the UK, it was the first time I used my British kpali to 'go home' and true, it felt surreal. However, on return to Cana, as we landed and I got out my PR card, I became emotional. The whole 6yrs aiming for British ilr and passport came flooding back. Same ILR I got in Canada even before I stepped foot there. Like play, I'm almost 1yr in with 2 left before the kpali. Funny thing is that over 365k of such direct PRs/ILRs would be issued this year and next. This is outside other routes/pathways. Yes, they took in a lot (esp diploma students) and have also pared back/introduced caps but the conversation has moved past that. Focus is on building the economy not increasing performative wickedness.

Goke7:
A lot of folks were just carried away living in the uk on visas, all the signs were there, historical facts were there but somehow folks just continue to hope and wish for miracles. The uk system is an unforgiving system and brutal with no mercy, as long as you’re on a visa even if it’s a work visa you got to have a contingency plan and anticipate the worst. It’s what it is. I was on a skilled visa with a global firm but redundancy hit and I got laid off, my saving grace was my wife was also on a skilled visa as a teacher so I switch to become a dependent. I still have a pending application in the US and even with Trump am not expecting anything. My wife is also seeking teacher licenses in some Canadian provinces to explore opportunities there and once it clicks we are out. Honestly I don’t know how folks can completely rely on the Uk if you’re not yet on ilr even folks who are citizens are moving out then you that’s on a visa you’re behaving as if it’s your own country, people get mind o! And they continue to gaslight themselves, Issorite. We will all learn to streetwise by fire by force!

Miracles... hehe. I sometimes go on the student visa thread and the rate at which folks spiritualize study visa approvals leaves me shaking my head. I only hope they are clear-eyed about the current realities. I hope to partly retire in 9ja someday (and visit often) but I understand the 'enjoyment' I'm seeing is much easier to access due to the pedestal migration gave me. Oddly, I have stumbled on the 'backtoIndia' reddit page with stories of many well-established Indians in the west going back. If 9ja maintains progress, a return move would grow in popularity

Life has no one cheat code but many times, folks sit, don't take or seek opportunities and later blame events when things don't go their way. Of course, many would have sought opportunities but still get caught.

Pray tell, how did your wife get into teaching? I have a relative who I've tried to ginja to seek wider opportunities. They seem settled on a care visa but now have a QTS license. Getting a part-time teaching assistant role they can combine with care in the interim before pivoting has been tricky. I have tried to egg them on to get some UK teaching experience and explore Canada but they are not keen. As per the teaching, what are the available routes to entry for someone who is QTS certified?

All said, its tough out there. I do hope you get something soon.

Crap. Same U.S mission that is quick to denigrate Nigeria when it comes to visas.

Whats even worse is those here claiming he's from y or z.

Resurgent2016:
Adult social care already accounts for 75% - 80% of many council budgets - something must give to substantially grow the budgets. They can use their hatred for HCA to shoot themselves in the foot and tomorrow blame politicians for increasing taxes or the service being stripped bare.

Already many councils are broke or on the verge bankruptcy mostly due to rising social care costs. The thing about social care (just like health) is that the government ultimately backstops most of it. Bearing the cost, they know how it pinches.

Like I've said on multiple occasions- the question has never been if migrants are wanted- it's always been if we can afford not to have them.

I'm all for a carer earning £100per hr in todays money but I wonder by how many multiples my fellow British voters want their council tax to be put up to pay for that. What percentage of the elderly, their relatives or parents of kids with special needs are ready for Social care to strip back their benefits to mitigate rising wage costs? Who bears the cost? Those are the real questions- not whether carers should be paid x or not.

Why cant they allow the Lions be at night. Must be discomforting following them around all the time just for tourism

Freshandfitpod:
That is relatively low compared to what Nigeria as giant of Africa Should be offering

What exactly is relatively low?

Bwisewiturvote:
Yes the car reg on the sms is correct, I mean, it's mine
The sms was sent via a number....
I visited the site and input my case reference... was directed to payment interface

The (3) menu options on the site only directs you to the same payment interface....

See the attached screen shots

Tickets are usually sent via post to the registered address of the vehicle owner. Have you changed your address of late?

Before proceeding, I'd search online using especially on forums using details in the SMS e.g phone number see if this is a known scam

On their website, I see there's an option to write in to them. Personally, I'd be doing that to keep a verifiable contact trail. Without revealing personal details, I'd be quoting their reference number and asking them to update me with details of the infarction. Where and when it occured and what my options are (there should be an appeal process). I wouldn't be filling out the non-mandatory part of the form and possibly using initials in place of a name.

tiwasiaife:
Poor man advising a rich man how to run his business.
If you have this brain atleast you will be producing toothpick and supplying it to kiosks around your neighborhood.

That's not how life and business work. There's a reason the biggest companies in the world always ask for customer feedback after any contact. They know what hidden gem it is

Bwisewiturvote:
Brethren is this real or some kinda scam?
I got this sms now (at the end)
I can't remember getting any parking ticket of any sort
I have tried to view where exactly this happened?
I called them endlessly but no agent picking up the call they only kept repeating the option 1 to make a payment automatically, same is applicable on their website where you can only make payment. The worst, I saw its £170 to be paid...
How?

Please can someone help me cox this is getting man crazy... still have £20 outstanding payment at the garage where car was fixed? Which kind play be this nah?



Your parking charge ref. 507××××2 for R×××××M issued by UK CAR PARK MANAGEMENT LTD is overdue. It is your legal responsibility to settle this charge. Pay now to avoid potential late fees and clear your record today: paydrp.co.uk or call 0208 2346 775 to speak to an advisor quoting reference number 158××××2. We thank you in advance for your co-operation in this matter.

Likely a scam. Have you done an online search?
Such tickets are based on ones V5C details and sent in the post.
Also, do the details match that of your car? I.e the reg no e.t.c?

delenet:
Fair point. Open sharing is great for general awareness, which I’ve been doing here and will continue to do. Also part of the reason I brought up the $50k passive income rule which is a specific Canadian hurdle many miss.

Just a quick heads-up on the HoldCo idea: unlike the UK or other jurisdictions, in Canada, if you own both the operating and holding companies, they are usually considered 'associated' by the CRA. This means they are legally required to share that $50k passive income threshold and the $500k Small Business Deduction. A HoldCo doesn't actually 'reset' the clock on that tax grind-down here; oga CRA sees the whole group as one.

I totally agree that personalized advice should come from a qualified professional—that’s exactly why I’m cautious about giving specific blueprints in a general chat.

I’ll leave it there for now, but definitely happy to pitch in on more of these high-level deep dives to help and educate the community as much as possible.

You made some good points. However, communities grow by dissipating information not hoarding it.

ferfer:
Europe! The 'old world' that subjugated almost every human in the days of yore! Pillaging everything in its path and claiming it in the name of royalty! Enough said.

Never please a bully, bid your time, some will say stoop if you must, then go all in with everything.
I am not sold on Carney's speech because he showed his hand too much. Remember this is not just any bully but the most powerful one. And it seem Carney has realized it, hence, his refusal ( and his ministers) to comment about Trump's recent threat which was as a result of the speech.

Preliminary skirmishes should not be fought with major artillery. Subterfuge with a slice of flattery should have been key at this point while Carney bids his time. But he is the PM, so he knows best. The US midterms are coming, that is when Trump's report card will be out. Politics may seem international but it is almost always local.

I think his speech was well calculated. He's responded to Trumps criticisms especially in light of CUSMA negotiations which are due soon. How long would one stoop while Trump grovels?
Russia and China have shown that Trump only respects strength. Europe and the UK have realised that too.

Canada has it's own peculiarities but bending over to Trump at each turn would be disastrous. Now they're gunning for Alberta - pleading and begging only means they'd come for more.

cashmyles:
Good day fam! I’m trying to choose between the Pixel 10 Pro, the Galaxy Fold 7, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Please, I’d love to get your take on which one is the better and also, if you think there’s a dark horse phone out there that’s better than all of them, let me know. Your input will highly be appreciated. Thank you all.

Would go for the Fold. I've used Fold devices for the last 5 yrs with no regrets.
If you're into the Apple ecosystem already, then the iPhone is a no-brainer

True, the cameras might arguably not be the tippy top at their release date, but I've found them very capable. Use the Fold 6 and recently got a play around with the promax 17, still love the Samsung camera. Phone cameras have come a long way and either of the three eould be a good performer.

For documents e.t.c. nothing comes close to the Fold. For consuming vids, the Fold is better but not by much mainly cos the black bars due to its square screen

Personally can't wait for the next iteration of the tri-fold. One that can be used as one device, a 'double fold' and a proper tri-fold.

delenet:
You’re 100% spot on about the tax deferral and income splitting. That's coming from the right 'business DNA' for this environment. Most people just see the gross income; they don't see the net-wealth benefits of the structures you just mentioned.

I’m all for group learning my brother! To your point about investing via the business: in Canada, the 'Passive Income' tax rules changed recently. If your corporation earns too much from investments, it can actually reduce your access to the Small Business Deduction. That is a trap many newcomers fall into.

However, as much as I’d love to 'build in public' here, I’ve learned that a blueprint is useless without the context. Discussing a specific business model without knowing a person's financial goals, time, and long-term residency plans here is how people get bad advice.

I prefer to treat business with the same privacy as a 'likita' treats a patient. The 'medicine' for one person might be 'poison' for another.

If you want to dive into the numbers and the system I run, I'd rather take it to the DMs. Otherwise, keep those tax-efficiency points in mind, they are the secret to moving from 'surviving' to 'thriving' in Canada!

To each his own finally. Most of all I know about finance today was learned online via conversations with/by others. Personal DMs are almost always a red flag. The good thing about open conversations is that folks could chip in and advice challenged. Perosnliased advise could always be sought from a finicial advisor.

Regarding passive investments- many open a seperate Holding company for investment purposes. From my knowledge in the UK, investing directly via ones trading co can raise questions especially if profits from investments are huge or exceed that from trading

delenet:
....
Hopefully, this shift holds. It’s better for everyone if the world moves toward a balanced coalition rather than just reacting to every whim of the 'emperor.' It’s good to see Canada finally leading that conversation!

Well said. There's no point pleasing a bully

delenet:
I hear you loud and clear! I'm glad you brought this up because it’s a conversation many seem too scared to have.

The truth is, most people get stuck in the 'job' cycle (IT, nursing, data) because they don't understand how the Canadian system actually works. But for those of us with a business mindset, there is a massive 'Blue Ocean' here.

Regarding your questions:

The 'Small Business' Trap: Most people stick to restaurants because it's what they know. But in Canada, the real wealth is in the Service and Knowledge sectors. That’s where the 'big players' from other communities are making their millions.

Taxes: They aren't 'too stringent', they are just different. You actually have more 'tax loopholes' as a business owner than as a high-earning IT worker.

The Opportunity: The thing is, we’ve moved into high-margin, scalable models used by the wealthy here that don't require warehouses or physical stock.

Here is the koko of the matter: I see many men send their families ahead because they are worried about how to replace their Nigerian income. I can relate. But the truth is, the biggest business opportunities here require you to be on the ground.

You can't build a high-level Canadian business from Lagos. I found a model that allowed me to transition from 'newcomer' to running a professional practice, but it required me to be here to 'take the territory.'

I won't go into any specifics here, but I like your mindset. If you want to see what’s possible for a business-minded man in Canada, send me a DM.

What I see is that people are sleeping on the biggest wealth transfer in Canadian history.
Let’s chat privately if you want more insight into how the system really works.

True- running ones business comes with several tax advantages mainly if you don't need all the money the business generates for regular expenditure. One could defer tax, draw income between spouses, write off some business expenditure and invest via the business among others.


Rather than a private chat, it'd be better to have discussions here, that way, people learn and others could chip in.

HustlaOfLagos:
Same.. same..

Trump is already feuding with California's Governor and throwing Primary school insults per usual

I keep wondering. Why is there so much uprage in the west regarding Greenland when not much was said in favour of Venezuela?
Are there limits on what countries should be recipients of imperialism?

Still boils down to the hypocrisy I keep talking of.

This is a lesson to African nations. We need to strengthen regional trade and alliance.

justwise:
...and after that speech the man-baby sent this letter

Lol.. typical.
It's refreshing to see a world leader call it what it is - right in front of Trump.

So far, KS and the EU have been on an appeasement drive thinking that Trumps tenure would soon be over and things would return to their previous state. This is looking all the more unlikely as a good chunk of the American populace want most of the current change. The pandoras box is open and even a democrat is unlikely to make a 180deg reversal.

Solving real world problems via a photo shoot?

Namaster:
SMART MAN!

A divorce in Australia would have WRECKED him for life.

Imagine the NONSENSE!

Someone he married and SPONSORED abroad to start a family with him. She got there and started talking NONSENSE about SURROGACY.
If he's fine with using a SURROGATE, why in all the FORKS would he need her?

That's like hiring a Driver to drive you around just for the Driver to hire another Driver and then ask you to PAY for it.

ABSOLUTE MADNESS!

Plus, the COST of surrogacy overseas is enough to get you 72 virgins here in Nigeria WITHOUT even needing to blow yourself up.

VERY SHARP MAN.
I APPROVE!

Shows how gullible you and many people like you are. This is how the false Hakimi's story spread because people think think those who crafted wuch laws dont think it through.

Do you really think countries don't follow basic laws?

As someone had told you, a traditional marriage wouldn't be used to get someone over.
Seizing someones phone/passport would be classed as abuse and be enough in itself to sully his case before any judge. Just so you know, she can get her travel documents back by simply applying to the embassy.

BTW, just watched Carneys speech at WEF... Super proud. He simply instills confidence

...we compete with each other to be the most accomodating. This is not sovereignty, its the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination. Mark Carney

HustlaOfLagos:
With this speech snippet, he wont have been elected as the Head boy of my secondary school


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7CErCvXoE

Hehehe... was an interesting event. Quite a few snippets

Super proud of Carneys speech. Straight and direct. So glad he's Canada's PM now. He instills confidence in times of economic uncertainty.

... we compete with each other to be the most accomodating. This is not sovereignty, its the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.... Mark Carney PM of Canada

BTW, I wonder what peoples thoughts are about trumps recent shenanigans with Europe.
Should they bend over and let Trump do as he likes as some had advised Carney and Canadians to do?

There is no pleasing a bully

Judasiscarriot:
As per business levels, i am not hearing much about it from Nigerians in canada ooo. What is happening ? is it that difficult ? only african restaurant, and small scale shipping i keep hearing

what about cars? dismembering cars into parts ?? ehnnnn, i see recently imported cars carrying canadian plate numbers in lagos.

What about importation from china or america to canada ? Carney was recently in china

As a PR with capital, can i succeed in business? or are the taxes and laws too stringent ??

Where are the business oriented igbos? please ooooo, wetin dey sup, or have the Indians taken up all the business spots ??

it is well. Maybe the business ones are not here. Well, i dont know though. but i prefer business to all this, go and study IT, data analysis and co.


Please, let us discuss business too

Hehe...
Canada is quite capitalist... certainly much more than Europe.. if u hustle well u go chop.
As the population increases, opportunities would too... especially for those with keen eyes

U could start by sharing ideas...

Focusmind:
There is no EU country with "good amount of jobs"!

You will struggle to get the white-collar job if you are not among the one percentile extremely talented foreigners

Apart from US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and may be, France and Germany, you will struggle to land a professional job as an immigrant in EU if you are not extremely talented and have the permanent right to stay in that country.

It is not about getting a Ph.D. or studying fancy courses, people that study trade and direct health-related courses have better chances of securing jobs abroad than those with Masters and Ph.D.

Even in Canada, some Nigerians that did masters and Ph.D. are still job hunting while those that did one year certificate or two year diploma program in direct health programs or trades have gotten something.

Be strategic and weigh your options. If you are going to the EU country for studies under a funded scholarship, it is fine. But if you are going to be self-sponsored, please weigh your options and consider again.

Except you will study with the intention of transitioning to those other countries I mentioned. Also note that the right to settlement and stay should also form part of your consideration. Dont waste your money to study in a country where there is no right of stay after studying or where there is a serious language barrier.

Well said!

RodgersAkpafu:
And the China caping continues on this thread lmaooo.

Make we dey look and observe as things dey unfold sha

People implying that China is not an adversary to keep at bay and calling it media "frenzy"

🤡 🤡 🤡
Na so

You sound quite similar to a cousin who told me all ladies who wear trousers will go to hell. I asked him why and he mumbled something similar to the above. Finally told him if that was his vision of heaven, I don't want to be part of his heaven.

RodgersAkpafu:
I keep saying it though
..... Man sometimes I just wonder how the US thought, that of all people to elect, it is this clown and joke
Well the silver lining is that at least UK can see a prelude to what a Reform govt will likely look like....
And the administration will be done before GE 2029

Hehe... I thought Trump was your favourite- the one who'd help you fight Indians... Well, seems he didn't just stop with Indians as every sensible person thought.

Goodenoch:
Also: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/18/chinese-mega-embassy-london-british-spies-mi5-analysis

And this: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/what-uk-must-get-right-its-china-strategy A very clear-eyed assessment of the UK-China relationship from Chatham House, unlike the hysteria from the Daily Heil, Torygraph et al.

With the much of the UK I know, I doubt this would have been approved if there was a demonstrable security concern that could not be easily achieved elsewhere. It's manytimes just a smokescreen to drive a political narrative. Similar to the Huawei issue where the UK didn't see any concern after checks but went ahead to kowtow to the U.S and restrict a budding Chinese company. Remember 'dem migrants are eating our cats'? Similar talk here

HustlaOfLagos:
The whole thing is ridiculous to me sha.

if I want to spy on you, why would I build in your country, under your very nose when I know you can easily catch me? It's the same as the EV listening on people kini. Guess who was actually asked to pay fines for listening in on people and guess which country the coy is resident in? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4rvr495rgo

Look at how this one was rambling when asked about listening EVs

WATCH - Premier Ford today said Chinese made EV’s will be listening to your calls. “When you get on your cell phone, it’s the Chinese that are going to be listening”

I ask Ford to back up those claims, & ask if he’s concerned about his Chinese made iPhone spying on him. pic.twitter.com/MT0D3QUfkB

— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) January 19, 2026

If you are concerned, what about iPhones / Android devices that are made in China? Our Google / Amazon home speakers? laptops? bluetooth headphones?

The sinophobe narrative is beginning to fall.

Fact is some of these narratives are not impossible. Most modern electronic devices with a camera or microphone which can be reverse engineered/hacked to take photos or record surreptitiously and send these back with little or no trace. Most of these 'hacks' are purposeful backdoors tech companies create and give to select government agencies. One would wonder the practicality of doing this on a widescale though. If highly targeted, its possible

This critisicm comes from two places

1. A place of paranoia. If these clandestine operations have been done by you to others, every moving cockroach becomes a suspect.

2. Information overload to drive a narrative. Manytimes putting so much information out there muddies the water. It not clear what's true and what's fabricated. This creates information overload/paralysis among recipients. We saw this with the GEJ government in Nigeria who sat on huge sums the Chinese afforded due to loads of warnings from western agencies. In the west, people who want to buy EVs might decide to 'err on the side of caution' and buy known brands. Fortunately or unfortunately for them, the Chinese brands are becoming very good and cheap which makes that decision all the more difficult.

Raalsalghul:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-embassy-london-uk-royal-mint-court-starmer-b2903828.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=editorial-push

Who said something about the Super embassy being approved?

I wouldn't be surprised if all this brouhaha is just a political talking point with no base. Similar to manythings happening in the world today.

China this, China that.
Even if their initial intention was to use this as a spying hub, the scrutiny it has got would be enough for them to reconsider options.

4ever1:
I am a student

You need to be clear- what course are you studying? what's your background? what roles do you seek? what part of the country are you looking at? That way, people in similar shoes or with the right information can chip in

Goodenoch:
Every day I wonder anew about how people with primary school level education and above ended up voting for or supporting this man-child: https://apple.news/AdjNbEJQ3TD-lP7znf1SfpA

Hehe. Was never a Trumpian but recent events got me 50-50. The once monolithic 'west' is beginning to divide. Unlike in times past where the world waited for them to finish their squabbles and then continue imperialism, this time, folks are moving on.

When Trump finishes focusing on black and brown people, he'd turn to Europe. We saw just that with UK and eastern Europeans. The 'third world' would soon have new entrants.

It seems the thinking of Europe all along has been to kowtow - afterall, it's just 4 years but Trump is grovelling for more. Who's to say what follows is not like him.

Finally with Trump, two things were clear- he stated his campaign objectives. What he's doing today isn't widely different from that. Secondly, he was the clear choice of Americans and performed quite well at the elections. Americans may very well want someone similar in the future.