₦airaland Forum

TheCongo2:
No one on Nairaland had discouraged you from moving abroad. People had just been trying to reveal to you the reality on ground with respect to life abroad.

But if you are looking for people to sell you dreams on how rosy life abroad is, there are many places where you can find them.

I am an Igbo by the way. So this has nothing to do with any tribe.

Raph82:
No one can fool me, I've grown beyond that. Anyone experiencing difficult times abroad has his or her own personal problems. It's either he doesn't have the right papers to live in that country or lacks the right skills and qualifications to work in his desired field. Several opportunities and enabling environment are there to bring the best out of people. I'm a Yoruba man, and I know what am saying.

rotile247:
This is an interesting and mitivating write up. I had to read it twice!

I have an accounting degree, what's is the best way to change career path to IT field/skills.

pocohantas:
Nice read. Inspirational too, but please, stop converting your earnings to Naira.

Juoflife1:
How did you move from marketing to IT? Did you go back to school? Can someone who didn't study a computer related course learn IT?
I'm motivated.

1nairaland1:
Yes, I moved from Marketing to IT - and I must tell you that there are thousands of Nigerians who have done it and still doing it now. I was mentored into this path - but my passion was more helpful to me than the mentoring. I did not go back to school, but had to do serious self study and wrote some certification exams. If you have the ability to discipline yourself, you can be a cybersecurity expert in the next two years grossing over $150,000 annually.

1nairaland1:
I had to convert those Dollar values to Naira to help give the regular reader a better understanding of what they are gaining or losing by either staying back in Nigeria or migrating to a saner country.

tensazangetsu20:
Where's them dasparrow and co. You will never see them in such threads.

Gerrard59:
Well, while this is a point coupled with the consistent devaluation of the naira, you're not spending in naira over there. So, the context is different. But overall, the quality of life in developed countries is enough reason for any young and ambitious Nigerian to relocate.

1nairaland1:
!

1nairaland1:
Introduction
I have read and watched many stories about immigrants moving from Nigeria to Canada, US, Australia; and the many comparisms about Life in the West vs Life in Nigeria. Many have argued that if you are doing well in Nigeria, you do not need to make the move. Well, many different people are motivated to move for different reasons. We were motivated to move, based on my personal understanding and conclusion that Nigeria can never make progress by the way it is setup, and I was convinced that Nigeria will implode in the long/short run. I hold the opinion that the only way for Nigeria to move forward is either through True Federalism or Break up the Union!

Just to let many of us know that many upper middle class Nigerians already have their foots outside Nigeria. Most have visas that will allow them exit Nigeria at the slightest bang. The upper class Nigerians you see everyday are not really loyal Nigerians. They all have secret citizenships or long-term visa to different countries around the world. I have been privileged to roll with only a few of them, so my view may be limited. But know that if they don't have a way out, Nigeria will obviously be working. A little proof is the amount of repatriation of funds you see/hear about whenever anyone of these politicians fall out of favor with the government of the day. They have these citizenships either by themselves or through their children or confidential spouses abroad. I laugh whenever I hear us arguing for or against these guys - Bros and Babes - dem no send you, they will cut off your neck in the presence of your family to secure the next 10k dollars for their concubines...

My Background:
On a good day, I will share how I changed my career path: How I failed WAEC/GCE/JAMB a couple of times - ended up studying Marketing from OND - HND - PGD but now working in the cybersecurity space by the grace of Jehovah!

I was working in Nigeria for a Cybersecurity firm in Lagos. My monthly pay was 250k. I had other incentives as well. The company was paying for my rent of 1.2m in Lagos for 3 consecutive years.... I only used 9 months of that rent before I migrated to Canada. I no do again!

I also had businesses I was managing - specifically 3 Petrol Stations in Port-Harcourt that I was running on my own. Every month, I was making cool good cash that I could afford not to do my secular job and still have peace and rest. However, I was constantly struggling with the thoughts of Nigeria not working for its majority, and what that could mean for my kids in the next 30-50 years.

Life in Canada
I arrived Canada about 1 year and 6 months ago. My journey may not be the kind of journey for many of us - as I consider myself a child of grace. Although I am a human and a sinner, every time I feel Jehovah around me. While in Nigeria, I prepared my resume and uploaded to few sites like Indeed.ca and Monster.ca, I did not apply for any job. When I arrived, I said to myself that I needed plenty rest to recover from the choking hold of Nigeria before I can start looking for opportunities. I forced myself to sleep most of the early days to help me recover from Naija stress. Behold - Jehovah is by the corner. I got an email for an opportunity of 90k (N35million naira as at today. Sure I had to pay taxes and bills and have plenty savings). It was my first, I was to work with one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies based in the US - and I naively jumped on it without negotiating and asking for more, when they were repeatedly asking me if I am ok with the pay and the move(lessons learned). I did two different interviews and got an offer letter 10days after I landed in Canada. The job role required that I move from Ontario to another province - the company paid for all relocations costs for my family and helped us settle into the new province. They had someone in the new province who was coming frequently to help fill any gaps we had. The company got me a luxury big home to stay, which was taking a big cut into my net income... I moved out after 2 months to an apartment, this helped me cut my previous rent in two - great savings.

3 months after arriving in Canada, I started car exportation business to Nigeria. This is to help me grow my earnings and also increase my tax savings. This business have been going well, as our export counts are going higher. Honestly, I refused many potential businesses, as it is my side hustle, so I have to prioritize things rightly.

9 months after arriving in Canada, I had to incorporate my business, as I need to start keeping things clean. Everyday, I was keenly looking for opportunities to do more for myself. I recognized that I am a late starter as a new immigrant, comparing what nationals who are my age have achieved - so i needed to do things differently in order to close the gaps, even if I cannot catch up.

11 months after arriving, I was referred to a new job opportunity with the government which offered 500hrs contract (120/hr.). This required us to move back to Ontario again. I was excited about this because it is a government project - which will give me top security clearance and add great credibility to my skillset and improve my bragging right to other potential employers. I was dazed but concerned with the job being a contract, as I was unsure of what/where the next job will be, following the 500hrs. I began to move the conversations towards a permanent role, and I was able to argue and negotiate my pay from 105k they offered to 135k(52+million naira, sure I have taxes and bills to pay). I did 3 different interviews and was given an offer letter. The job has been great and even less stressful than my first role, and I still had time for other things. My previous employer was unhappy that I was about to leave and was keen to do anything to keep me. They offered to increase/match my pay and allow me to work from anywhere of my convenience around the world. Well, I loved the manager I was reporting to, but refused the offer as I saw it as an entrapment. You should know one when you see one. I felt that they will try to get someone else who will be happy to take my previous pay and kick me out, as the difference in pay was really huge.

Few months after, I was notified by someone in the US that he is doing 2 fulltime jobs collecting mega payouts monthly, and he's been able to juggle both seamlessly for months now without conflicts. I started thinking in that direction as well. I started using my company to seek out more opportunities intermittently. I had many rejections with different opportunities along the way - but those did not move me because I was simply looking for more, not lacking. Finally and fortunately, after 1 year and 6 months of landing to Canada, my company got our first big remote 12 months extendable contract @ 80/hr.(60million annually, sure the business will pay taxes and its bills too) with the biggest Telecom in Canada. This new opportunity for my company is super exciting for us, as it open a new chapter and gives me the pathway to start growing a company outside Africa. I already have my wife and kids as potential employees - hoping to grow and start extending the grace outside my immediate circles.

My big plan is to start getting entry level jobs for new Nigerian/Canadian immigrants to help them break into the employment market and have a great head start. Honestly, I must also say that working with Nigerians here is really tough, as I had a more difficult experience working with Nigerians in my auto business than working with non-Nigerians.

While these may sound impressive, it looks like I am doing them with a pinch of salt - Thanks to Jehovah. I hope to see myself in a position where I will no longer have to think about the fears of the next day. Irrespective of my relative comfort while in Nigeria - I always had some unbelievable fears around me, as there was proof everywhere that one small irrelevant thing could throw me into some irrecoverable crisis. Example, I once slept behind a police counter overnight because I refuse to give bribe. Since we arrived Canada, I have never been stopped by the police. In fact, I sometimes take my kids to the police STATION here to have some interactions with the officers, just to demystify my notion of the Nigerian police.

On the side note, I spoke with a Nigerian who migrated here in 2018 with his family - he mentioned that he arrived with near zero funds as his POF was borrowed. He bought a modest home last year and is living wella, with easy mortgage. His wife is done with school here, the government gave her a grant of 20k dollars, and that is the money they used to add up for their home down payment. We have not succeeded to buy a home yet, as the cost of homes during the pandemic went off the roof. I missed a pre-construction home last week which was selling for 1.1million dollars, which will be completed in 2023. God has always been on our side, I am certain he is lining up something better for us.

Summary
Migrating will definitely mean and hold out different unique things to each of us. However, in our own case, it has really been a blessing to us.
Did I mention that the government gave me a grant + loan for my MSc programme in the UK?
Did I mention that the government will be giving my wife a grant + loan for her academic programme here?
Did I mention that the government still pays my wife monthly for childcare, an amount which is far more than we need for our groceries?
Did I mention that my wife is also working and getting income bi-weekly into the family?
Did I mention that my kids are attending world class schools without me paying a penny? This will continue till they are ripe for University education.
Did I mention that we have been seeing my family doctor for absolutely free? Personally, the tests I have done so far as recommended by our family doctor will cost me a couple of millions if I was still in Nigeria - all for free?
Did I mention that since I arrived here, i have never seen a day with electricity blackout?
Did I mention that the only routine money I spend on my car is to change oil? No Kazim or Umoru to finger my car badly in an attempt to have me coming back again and again
Did I mention to you that people living in our neighborhood are always excited whenever they see us and are happy to know more about us - not to know how to kill us
Did I mention to you that our lifestyle have not changed, even with these seeming progress? Don't let little successes move you to irrational decisions, the act of discipline is an art. Our luxuries will be funded - not from personal income, but from business revenue.
Did I mention to you that I have never had a need to make payments for anything I wasn't supposed to pay for nor give any person bribe - other than tips?
Did I mention that I have not been deprived of anything for the simple reason that I do not come from a certain region? All rejections/refusals are because there is someone else they determine to be more capable than you.
Did I mention to you that I sleep 5 hours or less to keep these dreams and hopes growing?

I am sure we can all make the call ourselves. Can an unknown commoner achieve these strides in Nigeria? Absolutely no!
Canada is filled with opportunities and the potentials are unlimited. People may sometime be on the wrong track and find it difficult to realize that they are on the wrong journey and unfortunately refuse to make the needed change.

While many people may have their doubts, many more are keeping their heads above the water - as in our case.
I am neither demotivating or motivating you to immigrate to Canada ASAP. Look - Pray - Think - Act.
Our story is just to share that some people can come here and start breaking the chains with quick gains - we hope to sustain and grow these early wins. Do not be swayed by people's opinion - everybody has his own race. You can be the only success story in the journey where everyone else had failed. Be focused and challenge yourself - Do not be contented with your current status - Always push your limits.

Update:
I spoke with a man yesterday, his name is Adeyefa, he mentioned that he has been in Canada for over 45 years . I was motivated to meet him when I overheard him complaining that his tax will be too much during the tax season. I finally got his contact and called him. I was super impressed with his success level here in Canada. He mentioned that during the pandemic, he was making money like a Nigerian politician. He was doing 4 consecutive contracts all at the same time. Each of those contracts paid him $800 per day. This means that his total gross daily pay was $3,200 (1,200,000 naira daily). He was juggling the 4 jobs for some months, until he had to drop one job which needed his online presence a lot. That brought down his earning down to $2,400 daily (over 900,000 naira daily). I also got to understand that he had so much spare cash that he bought empty lot of land, got developers to develop townhomes for him, and those homes are nearing completion. He mentioned that those homes during these aggressive times will earn him profit of over $150,000 each (over 57 million naira each).

His narrative made me understand that I was just a baby still suckling in Canada. I felt so motivated from our conversation that I started challenging myself to up my game. I turned down an opportunity today, which promised to pay me $90,000 (about 35 million naira) for a fulltime role. I will update you guys on the outcome of my next challenging adventure to up my game


See you at the top people!

Please I can not respond to the DMs. You can drop whatever you've got here, others may learn from those things no matter how unthinkable you think they sound. I will respond to responses I consider meaningful and worthy of my time - time is money here!

Kaypeeboss:
Op thanks for sharing,God bless you, joining you soon, please the whole process of getting my Visa,can it be done by me,and which skill will you suggest I aquire before coming over,so i don't get limited in terms of job search,I am a graduate civil engineer from University of Benin,CGPA 4.3875

Abumuslim:
1nairaland1 can you explain how you switched to cyber security? I'd be glad if you could create a new thread for it. Help others grow.

Zeewirld:
Hello Bàbà,

Glad to read about your exploits.Keep it up.

All my qualifications are in accounting,and presently running a PhD in it.In addition, I am a AmL compliance officer.I desire to transition to IT field.What would you advise?

Do you think it's better I go for the global compliance certification,ACAMS or go for the auditing aspect of IT via the CISA certification??

Alternatively, what do you think about data analysis program. Is it worth it ? If yes,which aspect of it would you advise I focus on?

In addition,how easy will it be to transition into being a cyber security or network security expert considering my Academic background and work experience which is shewed towards the financial sector?

I hope to read from you and other great minds in the house.

Thanks.

@blackbuddy
@TEECANN

Analysist:
Hello,
I am glad you got to move and start a new life that you are thriving at, i mean at the end of the day we are all doing it for our future generation. We are trying to create a legacy and make sure our kids get a better chance at life than we did. I commend your efforts.

I am however interested in your journey, the process you used to migrate. Can you please elaborate on that, from the very start to landing in canada. You can make them bullet points in order not to write much and any stage i do not understand or need more information on i can ask you to elaborate on that.
I look foward to your reply.
Remain Blessed!

1nairaland1:
There are many pathways to migrate to other saner countries. I migrated through the Express Entry pathway.
https://www.nairaland.com/travel
This link contains priceless information that will help you

1nairaland1:
I will be writing a thread on this at another convenient time

giftedchild009:
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, you will always grow bigger and higher in Jesus Name Amen. I am confused in chosing the country to study my masters. I just got married last year and God blessed my family with a son this year. Because of the situation of this country am thinking of relocating to another country like UK or Canada, that is the two options that I have and also I want to relocate with my family but I don't know which option will be the best for me. That will favour me most, Please my good people I need your advice on this, I don't want to leave my family behind.

1nairaland1:
Canada will be a great place for you and your young family. There are huge potentials here if you come in as a permanent resident. The government can provide you grant/loan to do your masters program. The government has social programs to care for your kids as well. Your wife can do some small work to keep the bills going while you study. Post study you can get a great job and your wife can also school and position herself for a great career in the future

SchoolPedia:
Nice nice nice.


Well done op. God bless you real good.


Something tells me this is amdman. And I am not doubting it at all.

Mcslize:
Oya mo na come o. People that always paint abroad as bad.

Neurosci

PoliteActivist

TheGift

MantisShrimp

Cybercop2002

Ayrastarr

DrAkpa

Solatium

Buliwyf

ThierryJay

Childofthelord

LordOfTheGame

All your lies had been exposed by this thread. Those bad mouthing life in abroad. This thread don expose Una.

It doesn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for another person.

Grace differ.

Nice thread.

SchoolPedia:
Nice nice nice.


Well done op. God bless you real good.


Something tells me this is amdman. And I am not doubting it at all.