My name is Felix (most likely real name), and I would like to briefly share my Japa experience since moving to the United Kingdom, where I have been living for the past three years.
The UK has become one of the most sought-after destinations for Nigerians looking to leave the country. While it is a beautiful place with many opportunities, it requires some level of planning and awareness of certain things before you decide to move. I believe sharing my story will help you plan and understand some important things.
I left Nigeria for the UK in 2022
I graduated from a federal university in Nigeria in 2015, where I studied Biochemistry. 7 years after my graduation, I moved to the UK on the 8th of October 2022 via what is popularly known as the school route.
With my arrival in the UK, the struggle to start a new life began. Settling in can be quite challenging. This is especially when it is your first time leaving home and you’re alone and do not have anyone for mental and emotional support.
That is one important thing I would love my compatriots to know and be prepared for before moving.
Schooling in the United Kingdom
Getting admission to study in the UK has its challenges, with tuition fees as the most notable of them unless you can secure a scholarship.
This is because schools in the UK are not cheap, I find, and as foreigners, we are charged more than UK citizens.
With an exchange rate that is 200 percent higher today than it was in 2022, I spent at least N10 million, excluding the flight ticket.
I was admitted to Swansea University in Wales for a master’s programme, which lasted a year. I studied Biomedical Science (clinical Biochemistry).
While schooling in the UK, there are jobs you can do to support yourself. These jobs are usually menial, such as kitchen porter, cleaning, bartending, and restaurant work, among others.
Living in the UK after school
Life after school here can be interesting if, like me, you decide to stay back after your studies. The locals are quite friendly, from my experience. I can’t complain about marginalization as an immigrant
To earn a living in the UK as a starter, you have to be ready to put in the work, which most time will require you to take on menial jobs. However, this gets better as you settle in and learn to navigate the system.
I started with a factory job as an agency staff, then moved to hospitality where I did cleaning, bar jobs, kitchen, and stewardship.
Currently, I am in the healthcare sector as a support worker. I haven’t transitioned into my field of study yet due to the demands associated with practicing (additional certifications, which are expensive and take time to get). The tech field is one among other areas I intend to explore in the future (possibly cybersecurity).
Living in the UK can be quite stressful financially because you pay for literally everything. But the bulk of the expenses go to housing and utility bills. Food is very affordable, and transportation is fair (though the cost is rising). Healthcare is free for healthcare professionals. School (public school) is also free from primary to secondary.
See Also: 7 Easiest Countries to Migrate to From Nigeria in 2025
Misconceptions and things you should know before coming to the UK
There are also many misconceptions about the UK. The common is that there is money flowing everywhere, even without doing much. That is not true.
One important thing you should know is that there are shortages in the construction sector. Hence, skills like bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, and the like will be hugely beneficial. If you’re a caterer, barber, or hairdresser, you can use that to make money on the side while doing something else. Learning these skills before coming over may be a game-changer for you.
Another thing I would also love anyone moving to the UK to be conscious of is the law guiding the society. There are laws in place for almost everything, which are strictly enforced. Not being mindful of the existing laws puts one at risk of breaking them, as seen in many cases, which usually lands offenders in trouble. So it helps a lot to be law-abiding, especially as a foreigner.
To round up, life abroad can be challenging, but it gets better with time.
Will I return to Nigeria?
Coming back to Nigeria is not in the plan for now, for reasons I believe are obvious 😄. But I hope to come back someday, hopefully things will be much better by then.
Care to share your Japa story with us for free? Mail us at myjapastory@japacompass.com
