The argument against women in certain offices has never really been about capability. If it were, it would have collapsed under the weight of evidence long ago. It is, more precisely, about memory: how quickly the women who disprove the argument are forgotten, and how persistently the argument survives them.

Virginia Etiaba, Nigeria’s first female state governor, is one of those women. Despite a brief tenure, it is nonetheless a milestone for women in Nigerian politics.

Born on November 11, 1942, in Ezekwuabor Otolo-Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Etiaba was raised by her uncle, Chief Pius Ejimbe, in a family that prioritized education. This early influence and growing up in Nnewi, a town known for its entrepreneurial spirit and industrial growth, instilled in her values of learning, community responsibility, and a pragmatic approach to leadership that would inform her career in education despite earning a diploma in banking and finance.

Etiaba devoted 35 years to teaching across Nigerian states, working in Kaduna, Abia, Rivers, and her hometown, moving up from classroom teacher to headmistress, to education inspector. She founded Benneth Etiaba Memorial School, Nnewi, in 1989, in honour of her late husband.

In 1991, she retired from the Anambra State civil service, but her political career did not begin when she was selected as running mate to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the 2003 Anambra governorship election. Following Obi’s delayed victory, she was sworn in as deputy governor on March 17, 2006, supporting the administration’s focus on infrastructure, security, and anti-corruption reforms. Notable among these reforms was the introduction of the Anambra State Integrated Development Strategy, a framework targeted at multisectoral growth within the state. 

On November 2, 2006, the Anambra State House of Assembly impeached Obi on allegations of gross misconduct and dereliction of duty. 

Virginia, at 64, became governor of Anambra State, shattering a national glass ceiling in a male-dominated area.

Her emergence was not without controversy, as some felt accepting the office meant being disloyal to Obi. Despite criticisms and underestimation for being viewed as just a placeholder, she defended her actions as upholding the law while advocating for due process. 

In her 97 days in office, Etiaba prioritized stability amid controversy. She maintained the ongoing projects across road construction, healthcare, and education, also paying salaries and pensions. She engaged stakeholders for peace, and resisted pressures to dissolve Obi’s structure. 

One decision that stood apart during her 97-day reign was signing the Child Rights Act into law. The Act, which domesticates the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, prohibits child marriage, child labour, and sexual abuse, while guaranteeing access to education and healthcare. Although it had been adopted at the federal level under the Obasanjo administration in 2003, many states had yet to assent to it. Anambra state, under Virginia’s leadership, became the first state in South-East Nigeria to sign this act into law and one of the first four states nationally. 

On February 9, 2007, the Court of Appeal in Enugu nullified Obi’s impeachment, and she handed over the position. It is remembered as a rare act of statesmanship, integrity, and respect for judicial authority: a leader who held power and gave it up when the law said to. 

Virginia has also battled personal struggles; she is a colon cancer survivor after being diagnosed in Nigeria and treated at King’s College Hospital, London. She was conferred Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2010 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. On her 78th birthday, she was hailed as a trailblazer by the late President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Since leaving office, she has mentored women, continued to support APGA, and advocated for education in Anambra. She remains, in the plainest sense, evidence that the argument against women in office was never about capability, and that the women who disprove it deserve to be remembered long after the argument has moved on.

Adunni Oluwole does not fit neatly into Nigeria’s nationalist story. A preacher, performer, and political agitator, at a time when independence was the ultimate goal, she argued that the country was not ready, and that its future leaders might prove just as dangerous as its colonial rulers. Yet, she remained deeply embedded in that same struggle, defying both colonial authority and nationalist leaders while championing workers’ rights.

Born in 1905 to the family of a local warrior in Ibadan likely instilled in Adunni a fearless and fighting spirit. Family disputes would eventually cause her mother to relocate with the children to Aroloya, near St. John’s Church in Lagos. Here, Bishop Adolphus Howells became Adunni’s guardian, enrolling her in St. John’s School, where she completed primary education before returning to her mother, later immersing herself in church activities from 1925 to 1932.

During this period, she wrote a play for the Girls’ Guild, directed by the nationalist Herbert Macaulay, and went on to found Western Nigeria’s first female-owned professional theatre group. 

Her theatrical talents and public speaking skills would set the stage for her career as an itinerant preacher who opposed church funerals for bringing the dead into the church because she believed that only the living should serve God. This focus on the living informed her shift to activism during the general workers’ strike of 1945. 

Nigeria’s first major labor action, the 1945 workers’ strike, involved 40,000 to 200,000 workers who shut down the ±è°ùŽÇłÙ±đłŠłÙŽÇ°ùČčłÙ±đ’s economy for 45 days. Beginning on June 3, unions led the strike,  demanding higher wages as wartime inflation eroded workers’ purchasing power. Railway, postal, and public workers halted operations, resulting in millions in losses. 

This event marked a pivotal turning point for Adunni, propelling her from a preacher to a national activist rallying women to join the strikers and marching alongside nationalists like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo. She donated her meagre savings to strikers’ families and used her oratory to boost morale, framing the action as a fight against colonial exploitation. Her efforts reached both urban workers and rural sympathisers, amplifying the strike’s grassroots impact. 

The strike ended on July 17 after concessions by the colonial government on cost-of-living allowances. By then, Adunni’s ability to mobilise the masses earned her credibility as a defender of the common people and helped bolster her warnings against elite nationalists, whom she later accused of neglecting workers. 

After the strike, Adunni founded the Nigerian Commoners’ Liberal Party alongside Fumilayo Ransome-Kuti and Oyinkan Abayomi on the basis of the intense dissatisfaction towards the performance of ethnic based political parties like Awolowo’s Action Group (AG) and Azikiwe’s NCNC. The party embraced an anti-independence, gradualist philosophy, reflected in the slogan, “áșžgbáșč́ K’ÓyĂŹnbĂł mĂĄ ĂŹ lọ” (“The Party That Does Not Want Whites to Leave Yet”), based on the argument that Nigeria was not ready for independence. 

Her party attracted several criticisms as some people viewed the party’s ideals as antagonistic to the diligent efforts of the political leaders towards the attainment of independence. Despite heavy criticism, Aduni was unfazed, her determination evident through this quote in Tayo Agunbiade’s Untold  Histories of Nigerian Women: 

“My party is out to seize control in 1957 from both the AG and the NCNC and stop the oppression of the common man.”

During a presentation to Olubadan Isaac Babalola Akinyele in 1955, she was interrupted by NCNC’s Adegoke Adelabu, calling her a harlot. This exchange, alongside her confrontational nature and anti-independence messaging, would result in her banishment from Ibadan. She relocated to Akure, where she continued advocating for women’s inclusion in constitutional discussions and politics. 

Adunni maintained that Nigeria’s leaders abused power, harbored corruption, and posed risks via ethnic divisions and minority fears.  In an interview, she stated,  “I am opposed to self-government in 1956, until any time practicable.” 

She opposed the 1956 independence vote, advocating gradualism over a rush to premature self-rule to avoid elite tyranny. She warned that politicians would become African colonialists, a belief that would later be validated in the post-independence crises that saw corruption probes, the rise of ethnic parties, the 1962 census riots, and eventually, the 1966 coup. 

Held in high esteem, she was part of the welcome delegation during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1957 visit. She died later that year, and her party folded soon after due to funding challenges.

Adunni’s legacy endures as a critic of elite power, her warnings later proven prescient by Nigeria’s turbulent independence era. Long overshadowed by patriarchal histories that favour male nationalists, she remains a symbol of grassroots defiance and a more complex, unromantic vision of patriotism.

Nigeria’s democracy is the result of years of struggle and immense cost, yet many remain unaware of how central left-leaning women were to that journey; women in groups like Women in Nigeria and the Action Women of Nigeria, under the leadership of Kehinde Ola Oni.

Yet, for so long, Kehinde’s story in mainstream media has been reduced to being the wife and widow of the late political left activist Comrade Ola Oni. Despite her being an activist and leader in her own right, with her own political philosophy and ideological leanings. 

Born on the 30th of July, 1943, in Ibadan, Kehinde was involved in sports alongside groups like the Thrift and Credit society, participating in beauty competitions and fashion shows. 

In the 1960s, she began working with Chief Fani Kayode, then Deputy Premier of the Western Region and Minister of Local Government Affairs. This era of her career exposed her to the reality of women’s restrictions in Nigeria’s political space. 

In a report by The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) on women in politics, Kehinde called out what she saw:

“I saw many women around the House of Assembly. Men used them during election campaigns, but I never saw any of them emerge as women leaders.”

That gap, between emerging leaders and only being mobilised for campaigns and how unfairly people in rural areas were treated, made her decide to go into political activism in 1992.

Joining the Women in Nigeria (WIN), a highly intellectual and politically active feminist organization during the military rule after Nigeria’s third republic, Kehinde served as the coordinator of the Oyo state chapter and the national membership secretary. Combining research, advocacy and grassroots mobilization in a period marked by tight political constraints, WIN organized workshops, policy engagements and public discussions on women in politics through which they stood staunchly opposing tokenism.

After serving two terms in WIN, Kehinde became burdened with a question: how could she take everything she had learnt in an intellectual organisation and take it all the way down to the grassroots? To market women, to community leaders, to the people most removed from political decision-making? Her answer led to the formation of The Action of Women in Nigeria (TAWN). 

TAWN’s primary goal was political education aimed at ensuring women in the grassroots knew their rights and worked to protect and project them. Through workshops, community engagements, and direct outreach, they were able to reach local people, market women and leaders, and community leaders.

A significant influence on TAWN’s approach was 1995’s Fourth World Conference on Women, which shaped their preliminary research and established methodology. TAWN’s ten-year goal was that by 2025, women would become mainstream in decision-making bodies. Also significant was the workshop sponsored by the Women Development and Leadership Group (WODEL), which brought together women politicians, activists and youths to educate them on election processes and how to identify and support capable leaders.

Kehinde’s feminism, situated within a Marxist lens, acknowledged financial limitations and restrictive social expectations, and saw her lead a community of women who facilitated Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle. Her unflinching philosophy was without trust and collective backing, even the most capable women struggle to succeed. 

Her activism for women was also remarkably non-puritan. She did not romanticise the women’s movement but offered a candid critique of its internal weaknesses: rivalry, jealousy, and fragmentation, which served as persistent obstacles to collective progress. 

In a 1998 interview with P.M. News journalist Joke Jacobs, she described the granular work of TAWN’s workshops in her own words: 

“We gathered all the women politicians, activists, men, women and youths together to sensitize them as regards the election processes, the way to mobilize people and select useful leaders. The agenda is that women must rally round themselves both morally and financially.”

The presence of women or their involvement in different aspects of society has never been the problem. The challenge has always been visibility; how much of it they’re allowed, and how quickly it’s forgotten. In the political space, for example, women have been participating long enough that 50% representation in government shouldn’t feel like an aspiration in 2026. Yet at the 10th inauguration of the House of Representatives in 2023, just over 4% of the 360 members were women. 

Forty years earlier, in 1983, the first three women were elected into the 450 constituted members of the House of Representatives in Nigeria’s second republic. One of them was Sa’datu Kande Balarabe.  

She was born in Sierra Leone in 1951 to a Northern Nigerian businessman during the diamond boom that had seen Nigerians carve out a niche in the industry. Freetown was already home to the first secondary school for girls in sub-Saharan Africa, and its cosmopolitan culture promoted the belief that girls needed education to become ‘proper’ ladies, teachers, or nurses. Growing up in this culture and attending the Freetown Girls School, the high standard of English-medium education helped position Sa’adatu for opportunities abroad. 

She went on to study at the Royal School of Nursing in London.

Earning a Nursing degree in the 1960s and 1970s was generally considered the gold standard for a woman. For Sa’adatu, who hailed from Northern Nigeria, where the cultural openness to girl-child education was low, it was a major achievement. Beyond the clinical training, her education likely included a grounding in administration and management, a shift traceable to the Salmon Committee report of 1967, which restructured nursing curricula to formally include leadership preparation. On her return to Nigeria, she rose to become president of the School of Nursing in Kano.

In 1982, she left nursing for politics.

It was a period of ideological growth in Nigeria where the burgeoning politics of the left were perpetuated in Nigeria by a group of progressive politicians, who patterned their philosophy on Marxist ideals. 

Becoming the leader of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) women’s wing in Kano, she would go on to serve in the Constituent Assembly from 1987 to 1989 under the Ibrahim Babangida regime, which would later annul the June 12, 1993, elections. 

Sa’adatu was quite vocal about her disappointment at the annulment of the June 12 elections. In a gathering of opinion leaders and leaders of women’s associations at the Abuja women’s centre held on August 2, 1993, she expressed her conviction of how much of an injustice the annulment was:

“I believe in justice and equal rights, and you can’t have peace unless you have these. The election of June 12 was free and fair, and the results should have been announced.”

Expressing her strong opinions appeared to be a practice for Sa’adatu, especially on matters pertaining to the representation of women in the Nigerian political space. In the second book published by the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) Nigeria series, ‘Women on the Move’, she is quoted saying: 

“There is just one common constitution which does not discriminate between a woman and a man. I was in the Constituent Assembly, so that should be our focus. We have to refer to the constitution; only traditional values are hindering us.” 

It is a statement that remains as true today as when she said it, thirty years ago. Sa’adatu spent her career living in that gap and refusing to accept it as permanent.

Since 2020, Dinma (28) has lived in every country she set her mind to. But she didn’t achieve that by wishing for it. In this story, she shares how she was able to leave Nigeria for Rwanda, Germany, and most recently, the UK.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in the United Kingdom (UK). I left Nigeria in March 2020, but I didn’t directly go to the UK. I first lived in Rwanda and Germany before coming here.

Nice. I’d like to know more about your journey away from Nigeria

Sure. Happy to share.

What were you doing in Nigeria before you left?

I was a Product Designer in Nigeria, and I still am. 

What inspired your decision to move to Rwanda?

I left Nigeria for Rwanda because I got a job with an international company that has an office in Rwanda and Lagos.

Immediately after I graduated from university, I got an internship in Lagos, so I moved from Enugu to Lagos alone. After my internship, I got another job and worked there while waiting for my call-up letter from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). After I finished the NYSC camp, and it was time for the Primary Place of Assignment (PPA) routine, the company I was working for became my PPA

Towards the end of my service, I got a new job with a Nigerian company that had an office in Rwanda, so I started working there. After NYSC, I moved to their Rwandan office. After 1 year and seven months in Rwanda, I moved to Germany.

How did you get the job that took you to Rwanda?

A friend recommended me for it.

Can you walk me through the visa process for your move to Rwanda?

It was pretty easy. I was required to present a payslip from the company I  was going to work for. Other things I had to present were the basic requirements for applying for a visa.

That sounds easy

Yes.

You stayed in Rwanda for nearly two years. What did you like about it?

My favourite thing about Rwanda was how clean and safe it was. Once, someone stole my money, and I got it back after I reported it to the Police. I didn’t have to pay them a dime to do their job. I really appreciated that. 

What was your least favourite thing?

Things were quite slow in Rwanda, and I didn’t like that very much, especially coming from Nigeria, where everything is super fast. In Nigeria, you can walk into a restaurant and instantly get whatever food you want, but in Rwanda, you’ll wait an excruciating amount of time. They do love to take their time.

Why did you leave Rwanda for Germany?

I stayed in Rwanda for about two years. But I saw that the opportunity for growth in the country was limited, so I applied for jobs in some European countries; I got one in Germany, and off I went again.

How did you get the job?

I found it on LinkedIn. That’s where I found a majority of the jobs I’ve done.

What was the visa process like?

Since I was going to the country under sponsorship from a company, I was asked to provide an employment letter, a payslip, and a physical copy of my contract, which the company had to send down. Germans are really strict when it comes to visa applications. 

I also needed to submit my birth certificate, proof of my address at the time, the basic documents you need for a visa application and others, which I can’t recall now. The company helped, too.

How so?

They provided me with some things from their end to help with the application. They also had their relocation agent help me prepare my documents for the visa.

A few weeks after I submitted my application, the visa came out. I picked up my passport, booked my flight, and left Rwanda for Germany.

I assume the company covered your travel expenses as well

No, they only covered my visa fees. But that’s not because it’s the norm; is because I didn’t know any better. I didn’t know I could negotiate my relocation package, so I didn’t ask for it. I was just excited to leave. I covered my travel expenses and accommodation in Germany.

Back then, people weren’t really open about how they got their jobs. But things are different now; you can find information about these things online.

I advise anyone looking to move from Nigeria to other countries through the job route to do their research and consider all factors when negotiating their salaries and relocation packages. I, for instance, did not consider what my salary would be after taxes and other deductions; I was just excited about what my take-home pay would look like.

What other things should people pay more attention to?

Let’s go back to the relocation package. Some of them cover travel expenses and an accommodation stipend for 1-3 months, depending on the company. So, people should do a thorough job of finding out what their company offers so they can utilise it and ease things for themselves.

Another thing people should negotiate is their salaries. First, consider if the job is remote or on-site, consider the cost of transportation in the city you’d be living in, then negotiate your salary in consideration of the information you’ve gathered. This does not mean you should outrightly tell them you want a certain amount due to the cost of the city where the job is located; it’s just something to have at the back of your mind.

You should also find out if the company has perks like lifestyle spending. There might be things that they give out on a monthly or yearly basis; different companies have different names for it, just find out if the one you’re applying for has them.

Also, find out if your learning budget, stock options, and Restricted stock units (RSUs) are negotiable.  The negotiation shouldn’t end at your basic salary. It’s easy to fall into the trap of initial awe after converting your base salary to Naira, but things like cost of living will readily humble you.

What was it like living in Germany?

The first thing that comes to mind is my first day in Germany, which I can never forget. It was in the middle of winter, and my friend had told me to come with something cosy. In my head, I wondered how cold it could possibly be, seeing as I was coming from Rwanda, which was considerably colder when compared to Nigeria. I went to the airport wearing only a hoodie, and I got the shock of my life.

When we landed in Berlin, it was so cold that I had frostbite on my hands. When I got into my apartment, I didn’t come out till the day I resumed work. All my clothes were summer clothes, so I had to rush to Primark to buy a jacket. People were looking at me crazily in my summer clothes because Berlin gets really cold.

I’m sorry you experienced that

Thank you.

Favourite thing about Germany?

My favourite thing about living in Germany was having a blue card. The blue card is like a visa you get when you live in a European country. It allows you to travel to nearby European cities.

Another thing I absolutely loved about living in Germany was their Christmas markets. Winter in Berlin was usually cold and grey, and everyone was inside, but those Christmas markets made winter really enjoyable. We would go there, have some hot mulled wine, get on a ride, or do anything at all.

What else did you experience?

The language barrier. I had a good life in Germany, and I made a few friends, but in the long run, I realised I wasn’t open to learning the language, and I struggled with it. It was quite stressful; once, I got a letter that gave me a jumpscare, and it was all because it was written in German. I saw €6,000 somewhere in the letter and immediately assumed I was being asked to pay that. But when I translated it, it turned out they were merely informing me that my company would pay a certain fee they were supposed to pay. That was one of the things that made me conclude that I had to leave.

I get that. So, how did you leave?

The company I was working for had a London office, so I applied for an internal switch to the UK. I got it, but unfortunately, a week after it was approved, there was a massive layoff in the company, and I was affected. I immediately started panicking about my visa, so I had to think fast about an alternative.

A month before that, I had applied for the Tech Nation visa but was rejected. In the feedback I was given, they said I seemed like a hard worker but not much of a leader. I knew that wasn’t true and that they only saw it that way because I had presented myself solely as a hard worker. I used that feedback to apply again, and I got it two weeks later. After that, I applied for my visa, got it and moved to the UK, where I got another job.

That’s such a happy ending

Thank you.

So now you’re in the UK, do you still plan to move?

I don’t think so. I’ve moved a lot. I’d like to stay put for a while. I also love it here, so that helps. 

I currently work as a Senior Product Designer for a UK company, and I enjoy what I do here. I have a few friends here, and I’ve built a community, so it feels like home. 

I really enjoy working and living in London. I’m so grateful I moved here.

That’s beautiful. You’ve lived in three countries so far; how would you rate them on a scale of one to ten?

I’d rate Rwanda a seven. This is not because Rwanda was bad; it was a good place, but I just couldn’t strive for more there. The opportunity for growth was limited, and I couldn’t see myself living there long-term.

I would rate Germany an eight. Everything about Germany was good, but I couldn’t find my way around the language barrier.

Even when I managed to get by, I couldn’t really make friends because there aren’t a lot of black people and a lot of Nigerians in Germany. That is not to say I wanted only those groups, I just know it’d have been easier to make friends with people I already have things in common with.

There also weren’t enough places to get Nigerian food, so that was an issue as well.

Finally, the UK, specifically London, is an 8.5. London is super expensive, and Berlin is cheaper in comparison, but I’ll always choose London. I have a community here, and it feels like home.

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Splendid (28) was building her career in Nigeria but knew that reaching her true potential meant going to a place where opportunities are easily accessible. So in 2022, she applied for the global talent visa and got it on her first try. In this story, she shares her processes, how she struggled to settle into the UK and how she’s thriving now.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in the United Kingdom (UK), and I left Nigeria in February 2023.

What inspired your decision to move?

I was inspired by my need for growth. I had always wanted to leave since my secondary school days. The push in those years was just to escape Nigeria. But by the time I left in 2023, it was no longer about that; I was already building things in Nigeria, but I felt like I wasn’t reaching the ceiling. So I needed that move to leap. My move to the UK wasn’t an escape plan; it was a growth decision.

That’s nice. How did you leave?

I left on the Global Talent Visa. I got my endorsement in November 2022.

How can one get the Global Talent visa

To get the global talent visa, you have to get an endorsement from . 

Who is eligible for this visa?

I don’t think there’s a straightforward answer to who is eligible for the Global Talent Visa. To get a recommendation from them, you have to work in tech, but it doesn’t have to be a technical role that requires coding. I came in as a growth marketer.

Tech Nation is not the only body that can endorse one for the Global Talent Visa.  There are also endorsing bodies under arts and culture, and there’s also architecture. To know if you qualify, I advise that you visit the website and spend some time there.

Thank you. Is there anything else people should know?

Tech Nation will endorse you either as an exceptional promise or as an exceptional talent. But you definitely need to have some experience in your field to be endorsed in either category. I was endorsed as an exceptional promise. At the time I applied, you’d need less than three years of experience to apply as a promise and about five years of experience to qualify as a talent.

What’s the difference between the two categories?

As an exceptional promise, you’ll be given five years global talent visa to enter the UK. At the end of that, you can apply for your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and your British passport.

As an exceptional talent, you’ll get a three-year visa after which you can apply for your ILR. It’s faster for people under this category.

Is there essay writing involved?

It’s not an essay; it’s an elaborate process of putting together everything you’ve done in your career to prove that you’re a person of value.

The process was intense for me. To me, the hardest part was not the application; it’s documenting your impact in a way that makes sense to people who don’t know you. It’s you, telling your story clearly and showing proof of work, and positioning yourself as a person of value. And so, I had to put up different documents broken down into different criteria. 

Tech Nation also requires applicants to get recommendation letters from three top people in the tech space, so I had to get those. I also had to show the work I did at different companies, proof of high earnings, and speaking engagements. So, it’s not a single essay; you have to actually put your documents together, and if I remember correctly, put them into ten letters or PDFs, then group them into mandatory and optional criteria.

The process is rigorous; I always advise people who want to apply through Tech Nation to be thorough. The requirements change all the time, so go to their website and carefully look through it to see what’s required at the moment.

The rigorous nature of the process forces you to think critically about your journey and your career. But once everything comes together, it’s worth it.

That’s lovely. Can you remember how long the process took you?

When I applied for my Tech Nation endorsement, it took me two weeks to hear from them. But the time can vary, really. I have a friend who heard back from them in four days.

After you get your Tech Nation endorsement, everything else is a breeze. You just apply for your visa, and you leave. The entire process—from application to leaving— took me about six weeks. I stalled a bit because I wanted to spend some time with my family.

What are the requirements for the visa process?

You have to submit an online application within 3 months of receiving your endorsement. You must submit your passport and your National Identity Number (NIN). You also have to go for your biometrics, pay for your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and take a tuberculosis test.

Ok. Were there any hassles in getting the visa?

Not at all, it was very fast. There aren’t many requirements, and I think it’s something that people have to know. The day I went for my biometrics, I went with so many documents, but I found they weren’t needed. There’s no complexity in the visa process. The complexity is in applying for the Tech Nation endorsement.

What are the benefits of the global talent visa?

The global talent visa, in my opinion, is the best type of visa to get. It fast-tracks the receipt of your ILR and British passport. Unlike a tier one visa, the Global Talent visa doesn’t restrict immigrants to specific jobs or a salary cap; you can earn your worth.

Another great benefit of the visa is that it allows holders to bring in dependents. Married people can bring in their spouses and children.

There’s also the edge it gives immigrants in terms of getting a job; no, Tech Nation doesn’t get you a job, and the visa doesn’t come with a job. But it helps you skip hurdles that make getting one difficult. You don’t have to be sponsored by any company to get a job; this is usually a big obstacle here in the UK because a company has to pay some fees to sponsor immigrants. That factor makes it difficult to get sponsorship jobs here, but as a global talent visa holder, you’re not mandated to find sponsorship. You can apply anywhere and work anywhere.

What were you doing in Nigeria, and what do you do now?

I was a growth marketer in Nigeria. Now, I work as a growth marketer with one of the top fintechs here in the UK. Outside of work, I run a non-profit community called  , where I help people find their way into the non-code side of tech and also into growth marketing.

That’s impressive. 

Thank you.

So, what’s the work culture like in the UK?

That’s a dicey question because work culture isn’t defined in a specific way; it really depends on where you work. There’s a good work-life balance at my current workplace. Compared to Nigeria, there’s so much respect for your work hours and for holidays. You would hardly get work messages outside of work hours and during holidays.

Communication and politeness are also valued, and there’s a high level of professionalism here. The balance between work and life makes socialising a lot more possible, and that’s something I like.

Are there a variety of activities?

Yes. There are always activities to do, especially pubs after work. I go to the office once a week; on the days when I go, we always visit a pub right after work.

There’s honestly always a social activity to do. Most of the companies I’ve worked at prioritise social activities. They range from going to a pub to events and games, to inviting someone to speak to us at the office.

So, from personal experience, I don’t think there’s one way to describe the work culture in the UK. I’ve had the good and the bad. I’m currently in the good, and I appreciate that.

Love that for you. What was it like settling into your life in the UK?

Settling in was a roller coaster. I came during the cold, and I went to Scotland first. To top it off, the city I went to—Aberdeen—is one of the coldest in the entire country. Dealing with the cold was very tough for me. Unlike Nigeria, the UK has structures and systems that work; it took me a bit of time to understand and adjust to them.

Settling in was generally a roller coaster.  But it wasn’t so tough; it took me about 2-3 weeks to get settled.

When you come to the UK, you shouldn’t try to do things on your own because you won’t know everything. You have to reach out to someone who was already here. If you have family here, it’d be less harsh on you. In my case, I had family; they showed me how the trains and bus systems work, how to get my General Practitioner (GP), and other such things. Getting the hang of these things can be tough, and the knowledge that you’re alone in a new country can make it tougher. That’s why I quickly built a community.

Even with family, it was tough at first, and I had moments where I regretted leaving the good life I had built in Nigeria. But I snapped out of it, built a community, and everything has been a breeze since then.

That’s good to hear. What’s your favourite thing about the UK?

The structure is my favourite thing. The UK is full of opportunities, and the structure allows you to see them. Nigeria also has opportunities, but lacks the structure that makes UK opportunities so visible. Structure and opportunities are the top two things for me.

That makes sense. What’s your least favourite thing?

It’s the cold. I know the UK is not as cold as Canada, but the cold is a lot. There’s also the occasional loneliness and the fact that I’m far from family and friends.

On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate life in the UK?

I’ll give it a solid eight. There’s still a lot I’m building and figuring out, but I’m in a place where I can grow and become the person I’ve always envisaged. In my short time in the UK, I’ve been able to achieve some of my goals thanks to the clear opportunities here. You can be whatever you want to be in the UK. Your dreams are attainable here if you put in the work. There’s structure to support those dreams.

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Stephanie (29) planned to further her studies about six years after school. But that plan came crashing down after she suffered a traumatic loss. In this story, she shares how she went to the UK rather hurriedly, how she settled in and how she’s now thriving.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I’m currently living in the United Kingdom (UK). I left Nigeria in January 2023.

What inspired your decision to move?

I had always wanted to further my education abroad, but the catalyst to my decision was the death of my father. I lost my dad in 2022, but by 2023, I still hadn’t moved past it. I couldn’t. I decided I needed a change of environment and that I needed to channel my energy and efforts into something that would help me manage the grief.

And so, even though I initially planned to work for about five years after my bachelor’s degree before getting a master’s, I had to speed it up. That was how I ended up in the UK.

Oh my. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad

Thank you.

What course did you study for your master’s?

I did my master’s in Project Management at in Leeds, England.

What was the financing like?

It was self-funded, and I strongly advise against it. I only had to do it because of the circumstances surrounding my decision. I encourage people to do their own research to see the array of options out there and then determine which is most suitable for them. That’s exactly why I decided to share my story on this edition of 1000 Ways To Japa.

How did you find out about Leeds Beckett University?

I found the school myself. I did the hard work of researching things because I was particular about where I was going to live. I’m not a country girl; I was really keen on a city that was not too busy, but comfortable enough to give me what I wanted. I wanted a small city.

I found a couple of schools in cities that ticked my boxes, and I applied. Leeds Beckett was one of them. I got the admission, and the rest is history.

What other qualities were you looking for?

Before I chose Leeds Beckett, I read reviews online about them, went through their curriculum to see if the classes they offer under my chosen course aligned with what I wanted to learn and what I needed at that point in my life.

I also spoke to a representative of the school, whom I asked a couple of questions, and I reached out to some of their alumni on LinkedIn with questions, which helped give me insight into the school’s culture and the overall experience of studying there. These things helped me make up my mind. Both the school representative in Nigeria and the alumni were kind and super helpful with the process.

That’s nice

Yes. When I had a bit of a hiccup with my Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), the school’s representative pursued it for me and helped me get in right on time for my visa application.

What were your classes like?

It wasn’t anything strenuous. I was required to be on campus three days a week, and two days some weeks. A handful of times, our classes were rescheduled and held online, but it wasn’t a fixed thing; it was based on contingencies like a train strike or a disruption on the road. 

That sounds fair. What was the application process like?

I applied online after I had gotten all the answers I needed. As I mentioned earlier, the school’s representative was quite helpful throughout the process.

One of the things I submitted was a Statement of Purpose (SOP). The SOP is a detailed essay where you get to explain why you want to pursue your master’s (or any other degree) at the school, as well as why you have chosen a specific course.

I was a Product Manager back in Nigeria. So, while applying, I explained in detail what Project Management meant to me, particularly in regard to how it’d enable me to gain certain leadership, resource management, and time management skills.

I also ensured, while writing, that I presented myself as someone who has done due diligence on the school, so they have a mental image of someone who is fully committed to success. I noted some of the feedback I got from the alumni of the school, why I wanted to study there, why I wanted to be in the city, how drawn I am to the school’s cultural diversity, some of the things I hope to achieve and how I hope to give back through active participation in the school’s cultural activities, membership of some of its societies and communities, particularly its diversity community.

After I submitted my SOP, the school offered me a conditional offer to apply for my CAS. It took about a month for me to get it, and I think it was largely due to the influx of applications during my time.

Anyhow, I couldn’t apply for a visa without a CAS from the school, so I waited till it came. When it finally came, I applied for my visa and got it in about two weeks.

What were the requirements for the visa?

I was required to present my passports, proof of funds, CAS document, and my National Identification Number (NIN). I also had to do a mandatory tuberculosis test and present proof that I had made some form of payment to the school. My school’s requirement was for a 50% down payment, while some schools accepted 15%, 20%, and 25%; I already knew this from research, but I didn’t mind because I really wanted to go to that school.

Can you remember how much the entire process cost you?

The cost has increased for sure. At the time, Leeds Beckket was offering a 3% discount to applicants from countries like Nigeria, which reduced my school fees. There were my flight ticket, visa fees, and other things I can’t quite remember. Altogether, I estimate the entire process of coming to the UK cost me about £8,000- £10,000.

Did you use a travel agent for the process?

I did everything myself. It looked doable, so I didn’t think I needed to pay someone else to do it. It also helped that the school’s representative in Nigeria created a WhatsApp group for applicants in the country to communicate and help each other with frequently asked questions. In the group, you’d find that a lot of your questions had already been asked by someone else and that they had been answered thoroughly. 

The application process is honestly not that difficult. As long as you’re a person who is not afraid to ask questions. You’ll find that people are willing to help for free. Also, do your research; that helps.

Do you recommend Leeds Beckett to people looking to study in the UK?

Yes, I absolutely do. In addition to its multicultural nature, the school often organised a lot of self and career-building events where they invite companies to come talk to students about the entailments of certain job roles as well as other careers we can venture into with our certificates.

I spoke with representatives from different companies, from banking and construction to the force and police, and tech. I told them what I did back in Nigeria, the course I was studying, and what I want to do afterwards. I also asked them how I could get my foot in the door. I got lots of helpful tips from them. Those events were so helpful; they opened my eyes and showed me the possibility of returning to my career field, Product Management.

Some companies also offered things like paid internships for people doing more technical courses, like software development, and others to gain practical experience.

That’s really nice. Did you say you had a career in Product Management?

Yes, I did. I was a Product Manager in Nigeria, but I did a master’s in Project Management here. I see how that can be confusing. I chose to do it because there were no Product Management courses at the time, and it was the closest thing to the field I already had a career in.

What do you currently do?

I’m a Product Manager.

Awesome. What visa are you currently on?

I’m currently on a graduate visa. The UK gives student visa holders two years after their studies to gain work experience, but I hear it’s now been changed to 18 months. You’re supposed to find a visa that’ll keep you here more permanently if your goal is to stay. You can get either a work visa, a Tier One visa like the global talent visa, or a spousal visa if you happen to find love.

What is the UK work culture like?

While I was still studying for my master’s, I did some part-time jobs to provide for myself. From a teaching assistant, supermarket assistant, to an event steward. The experience was different then than it is now that I’m working a full job in my field. 

Working in the UK is amazing, particularly as a Product Manager, because I work cross-functionally: I not only get to mix with the teams, but also with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. From Asians, Caucasians, and Africans, it’s all so interesting.

When we meet outside of work and get into relaxing conversations, we find that we actually share similar experiences across cultures. It’s always a pleasant surprise to learn that people did, saw, or ate the same things you did growing up, even if they’re from across the world. One of the most memorable ones was our software engineer who grew up drinking Milo and pronounced it differently. Before that conversation, I always thought it was only Nigerians who drank it.

So, the blend of cultures is interesting both in their differences and similarities. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in that scene filled with people from different mindsets, different journeys, and everyone coming together to achieve our shared goal, which is building a product that works and serves its users.

That’s so beautiful

It is. Thank you.

What’s your favourite thing about the UK?

I love the blend of cultures and how efficient the system is. I also love how accessible opportunities are to everyone; as long as you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter who you are, you’ll get the job.

Another thing I love is how respectful they are of your work experience from your home country. Everyone respects each other and works together. I know I’m far away from home, but the UK is gradually becoming a second home to me.

Lovely. So what’s your least favourite thing about the UK?

The cold. The UK is quite cold, and it was particularly chilly for me when I came because my school is in the north and the north is significantly colder than anywhere else here.

I came in January, and by February, I was already seeing heaps of snow. It was sweet in the first 2-3 days, and after that, I was begging the snow to stop. It was so cold, and it made everything messy.

If you’re coming here to live or study, especially in the north, please come prepared with jackets, socks, and gloves to stay warm. It’s quite important.

What’s your piece of advice for people looking to move to the UK?

I would like them to know that leaving Nigeria is not an instant success, but it eventually works out.

Secondly, it’s important to recognise that journeys differ; you might have it easier or harder, but that’s just how life goes. I didn’t realise this earlier; I had spoken to some of my friends who had it easier and believed it’d be the same for me.  It took me about three months to get a job, and in that time, I was changing naira to pounds to pay my bills, and it felt like I was bleeding; it hurt so much I considered going back home. But I stayed back, and it worked out. Everyone’s journey might not be the same, but it’ll always work out; as long as you’re focused and you’re determined that you know where you’re going, you definitely come out smiling.

So keep learning. Meet people. Don’t be scared to meet people. Meet people, ask questions, create a community for yourself, and help each other. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve gotten help, like job referrals and interview prep from people I met on LinkedIn, at church, and in other places.

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the UK in comparison to Nigeria?

It’s a 9.9. It’d have been a solid ten, but I miss my siblings and my mom. It might sound crazy, but I also miss the heat in Nigeria. 

Ah, the heat?

I do miss the heat. Trust me, you would too if you were here. I wish we could exchange weather. It’s the only thing I don’t like about living here. Other than that, it’s a ten. I remember watching UK movies back home and imagining myself living in the cities they were set in. It’s so thrilling that I get to live here and see them.

Love that for you. You’re having a great time. I wish you the best of luck

Thank you!

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When Vincent (28) developed a passion for Sustainable Development Goals SDGs), he knew his best shot at building a successful career was a master’s abroad, so he worked hard and got a scholarship. In this story, he shares his processes, his journey and how he later landed his dream job in Germany.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I currently live in Munich, Germany, but when I left Nigeria, it was for Paris, and it was in 2021. 

What inspired your decision to move?

I was (and still am) passionate about  Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), so I was primarily motivated by the desire to pursue a career in that path and partly by the wave of sadness that hit everyone after the outcome of the #EndSARS protests the previous year, 2020.

So, those were the reasons I left Nigeria to do a master’s abroad.

What did you study?

I studied International Management and Sustainability at University.

That’s nice. How did you fund your studies?

I got a 75% scholarship and made up for the rest.

What scholarship was that, and how did you find out about it?

The scholarship is called the , and it’s quite an interesting way how I discovered it; I heard about the opportunity through the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship, which I had initially applied for.

MasterCard Foundation usually partners with select schools for its scholarship. At the time, they had partnerships with schools in Europe. I wanted to study on the continent, so I submitted most of my applications to schools there. Sciences Po was one of them.

My application for the MasterCard Foundation scholarship didn’t turn out successful, but it had also been a blessing because I heard about my school through them, and they indirectly paid for my application.

How so?

After the MasterCard Foundation scholarship reviews your application, it gives you the go-ahead to apply to your school of choice, and it’ll pay for the application fee to enable you to seek admission there. If your admission is successful, you go back to MasterCard for further review of your application, then wait for a shortlist of your name if you made it.

I didn’t make the shortlist, but I had been admitted by the school board at Sciences Po. I deferred my admission by one year and applied again to the MasterCard Foundation scholarship. I still wasn’t successful. But then, I learned through people that there were other scholarships in France that I could access since I wanted to study there. I found out about the , applied and got a 75% scholarship. 

This is such a nice turn of events. Love it for you.

It was. Thank you.

So, what was the application process like? 

It was rather straightforward. Much more straightforward than the MasterCard application process. I don’t recall writing any essays, which was something I experienced when I applied to different scholarships, not just MasterCard.

For Emile Boutney, I was asked to upload certain documents, and that was it.

What were the required documents?

They asked for a degree certificate to show I had indeed obtained a bachelor’s degree, as I said I had. They also asked for my transcripts and a few other documents I can’t quite recall. But I remember it being so seamless. I think it was the only application I was able to start and finish in one day. I remember sitting in my brother’s room finishing it in one sitting.

After the submission, what’s next?

Once the documents get to the school, they review them and decide what percentage of scholarship to award the applicant— 75%, 40%, or 30%. There was no fully funded scholarship from that organisation at the time.

How long did it take to hear back from them?

It actually took a while to hear back from them. So much so that I had forgotten I applied. I was getting rejections from the scholarships I applied to, so I tried to apply to as many as possible. Emile Boutney was one of them. It also wasn’t top of mind for me because I really wanted a fully funded scholarship, and they weren’t offering one.

When the scholarship came, I had to seek advice from other people and also weigh my options. Deciding to go with it wasn’t an easy choice considering the exchange rate at the time, but honestly, I am so glad I made that choice.  

That’s nice. What was the visa application like?

The visa process wasn’t so tedious. I got help from, a French Agency in Nigeria, which assists Nigerian students intending to study in France.

I took my offer letter to Campus France, and they provided guidance on the entire visa process. I wasn’t particularly alone. Campus France held my hand throughout the process; they do the same for everyone. 

What documents were you asked to bring for the visa?

If I recall correctly, I was asked to bring my International Passport, proof of funds and my offer letter (to prove I had indeed gained admission and was headed there to study). It took about one month to get my visa.

Can you remember how much the entire process cost you?

I can make an estimate, and this would be based on the exchange rate at the time. If you’re talking about how much it cost me to move to Paris and fund the rest of my studies, I’d say ₩3.6 million. But I encourage people to do their own research, as the economy has drastically changed since then and the exchange rate with it.

Tell me about your experience at Scienses Po? Do you recommend it?

I fully recommend Scienses Po. It’s a top global school for political sciences and social sciences. In terms of alumni power, career opportunities, global reputation, and diversity,  the school is up there. I definitely, definitely recommend. 

How did you navigate your classes, seeing as you come from an English-speaking country?

All my compulsory courses were taught in English. There was the option of English and French for the electives. I also had language classes four hours per week, so I picked up French along the way. I am so fluent that it’s become my second language.

What’s your advice to people looking to get this scholarship or something similar?

I advise everyone to do their own research. We live in an era where information is easily accessible, even more so with the advent of AI tools. Take your time to do some research; do not outsource your research and application to third parties. I understand how things can be in Nigeria, but do not be in a hurry; take your time and do the work yourself. Ask the right questions, compare, contrast, and weigh your options carefully. 

It’s also important to have a plan. I know things do not always go according to plan, but have one regardless. Having a plan would typically come from being knowledgeable and grounded about certain things, and also being eligible for them. All of these tie back to doing the job of research by yourself. Having vast knowledge will help you decide what’s best for you.

Be one step ahead and opportunity-ready as well. In my case, I knew I had to have an International passport, so I got one about two years before I started applying for scholarship opportunities. Have your transcripts and important documents ready, too.

So, Germany, how and when did you move there?

I finished my master’s programme in mid 2024 and moved to Germany in March 2025. I worked a bit in Paris, doing consulting. But I was also applying for jobs, and I didn’t limit myself to France; I applied to organisations outside of the country and got one in Germany, so I moved. I currently work in Sustainable Finance.

That’s so cool. Were you still on the student visa when you left?

Yes, I was. The visa was still valid at the time. I moved to Germany on a work visa, and that’s what I’m currently on.

What’s Germany’s work visa like?

It’s not a permanent thing; it has to be renewed. But unlike the student visa, which has limitations, it allows you to work any number of hours you’d like and do other things as well.

What’s it like living in Germany?

I am relatively new here, but thankfully, they speak English and have a lot more people open to speaking English than in France. So, even though I only started learning German,  it’s been easy to integrate. 

I also have hobbies like track and field. I’m part of a run club, and that has helped with my integration. I have a solid work-life balance, so I can’t complain. Life has been good here. 

That’s lovely. What’s your favourite thing about Germany?

I like that I’m able to pursue my hobbies and have an identity outside of work; I don’t take that for granted, so it’s what I love the most about Germany. 

Another thing is how easy it is to move around in Germany. My monthly transportation pass, for instance, enables me to go to cities within the country and a few European countries.

I also enjoy German cuisine and try it whenever I’m out.

So, yes, I love all these things and also love that I’m surrounded by people who have my best interest at heart.

On a scale of one to ten, please rate life in France and Germany

I will give France a solid eight. If you’re a student in France under the age of 26, you get to enjoy crazy benefits. I got rent support from the French government, my transportation was also subsidised, and so were groceries. I could go to a restaurant and get a solid meal for one euro because I was a student. Life was good there.

I suspect I’d have rated France lower because I was a student my entire stay and would have had to experience life there without those benefits.

For Germany,  I’m inclined to give it an 8.5 even though I’ve only been here a year. I think my rating is biased by how safe my city is. In my first week here, I lost my wallet, which had all my bank accounts, on a train and did not realise until two days later. Someone found it, and I was able to retrieve it with everything intact.

That sounds great. I wish you the best of luck in Germany

Thank you.

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Obiageli Okafor (28) knew she had to leave Nigeria to get ahead in her chosen career. So when she made up her mind to study in the UK, she went for it. In this story, she shares how she got to the UK, her initial struggles, and how she’s settled into a beautiful life.

Where do you currently live, and when did you leave Nigeria?

I live in London, United Kingdom (UK), and I left Nigeria in August 2022.

What inspired your decision to leave?

I was primarily inspired by my search for greener pastures and the need to further my studies. I was fresh into tech in 2022, and I knew I’d have to get a degree in a related field if I was going to succeed at it. It was especially important because I studied English Language and Literature at the University. So, I packed my bags, went to the UK and got a master’s in Digital Business Management. It was totally worth it. The best decision I ever made.

What school did you go to?

The University of Portsmouth.

Is it a school you’d recommend to someone looking to study in the UK?

I absolutely recommend it. One thing that most people who come to the UK to study look out for is flexible schools, and the University of Portsmouth was just that for me. Some schools, for instance, require students to come in five times a week, which isn’t really ideal for an immigrant. At my school, nearly all our classes were online, and we came to school once a week. Now, I hear it’s been changed to one week of physical classes in a whole semester.

Aside from the flexibility of the classes, there was a lot of support from my lecturers. It also has an employability centre that does just what its name suggests. They helped me revamp my CV, and they provided so many opportunities for me to pitch to investors when I did my project.

Location-wise, the school is also great, because it’s close to London and you can meet like-minded people. 

My lecturers have remained super helpful; they connect me with people in the industry, invite me to speak to students, and actually share my posts on LinkedIn.

So yes, I definitely recommend the University of Portsmouth for anyone looking to study here in the UK. 

That’s so nice. Were your studies self-funded or a scholarship?

It was self-funded, and I’d come to regret it later on. I wanted to leave Nigeria as fast as I could. I also wasn’t well-informed about available funding opportunities, so I missed out on them. I did a lot of meaningful work in the Abuja Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) space and would have gotten funding from Chevening and the likes if I had sought it.

My family and friends chipped in to support my studies, but I still had a hard time here, and I fully regretted my decision to self-fund. I strongly advise against that. I hadn’t paid all my fees when I got here, so at the point when I had about three months left to pay up, I was so pressed for funds that I started doing all sorts of jobs to keep up. I did support work and also filled shelves at a supermarket, among other jobs.

Again, I would not advise self-funding. Explore all your options, and explore all platforms to secure full or partial funding. Even the University of Portsmouth had something called the Vice Chancellor’s funding, but I didn’t apply because I came with the last batch of students. Please, do your research before coming.

So, what was the visa application process like for you?

I used a service called Intake, and it was so helpful. They assigned an agent to me whom I didn’t pay a dime to. He took care of everything in the application process; all I had to do was show up. The school already pays them, so I didn’t have to.

What specific documents were you asked to submit?

I remember this part of the documentation so well because it was quite stressful for me. Applicants are required to take a Tuberculosis test at a test centre in Ikeja. I remember waking up early to queue up for it. I came at 5 am and left at 5 pm.

You also have to submit all your transcripts and the original results of your West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). To get this, you need a scratch card from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) board.

Other things you need to submit are your degree certificates, your National Identification Number (NIN), your birth certificate, a certificate from your state of origin, a statement of account, and, proof of full or part payment for your school fees, and of course, your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which the school gives you after you apply to them. 

How long did it take you to get your visa?

It took me two weeks. It was quite fast. I started my process in May, and by June, I had my visa. Everything was just fast. I think this is why people choose the UK over Canada and the rest.

How was the application process to the school like?

There was no interview involved, although I hear they do that now.

What do you think the interview is about?

I think they’d ask questions that help them understand what you know about the school, the course you want to study there, and other such things.

What else were you required to do?

I had to write a Statement of Purpose (SOP) to show why I chose the course I want to study, my original school certificate and transcripts.

Are there any SOP tips you can share?

First of all, you should hype yourself up in your SOP. The school doesn’t know who you are, so that’s your opportunity to sell yourself and explain why they should pick you. Pour out your heart to them, and ensure you stay away from ChatGPT while doing so.

You start by writing out all the things you’ve achieved, all the things that make you a superstar, then tie that to your course of choice. I was just starting in tech and worked for a Dubai-based company called Tafa Bot. Before then, I had produced shoes in Nigeria; I mentioned both and mentioned the revenue I made from it, then tied them to my course, Digital Business Management. After the initial draft, I sent it to people for proofreading and peer review.

In a nutshell, show them you’re a superstar who can do terrific things if given the opportunity. Make sure you end the SOP by telling them how impactful you intend to be when you get your degree; don’t lie or be vague about this; actually explain it.

Most schools have a quota for people of African descent, and this helps give everyone a fair shot.

Do you have general tips for people looking to move to the UK to study?

There are a couple. The first one is to reduce your expectations while coming here. Find people who already go to your school of choice and follow them on social media so you can get firsthand feedback about the school. I had a whole spreadsheet of people I had asked.

Look for people at the school who are on scholarship and ask questions so you can always be one step ahead, especially in terms of time. Also, reach out to lecturers at your school of choice to learn what to expect. I reached out to a lecturer from my school and got that information from him.

There are so many boards that help with scholarships; do well to find out about them.  Some social media accounts always post about them, so you can follow and monitor them closely. Lastly, research, research, and research.

We’ve talked about how you got to japa. Let’s talk about how you stayed back. How long did it take you to get a job?

Before, people on a graduate visa had 2 years to find a job that would sponsor them, but that has been reduced to 18 months. Lucky for me, I never got there; ten months into my visa, I switched to the Global Talent Visa.

The graduate visa isn’t that great because it doesn’t count as your time to get Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It’s almost like you are in a state of limbo.

Love that for you! Let’s talk about the Global Talent Visa. How did you make that switch?

The Global Talent Visa is the best thing ever. It’s the kind of visa that lets you do everything. It’s literally like having a permanent residency in the UK. You can travel outside the UK for up to 180 days a year. It gives you so much freedom. You can open a business here and live and work in the UK without sponsorship.

There are two types: exceptional talent and exceptional promise. I’m under exceptional promise, so it’ll take me five years to get my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is like Permanent Residency (PR). Those under exceptional talent only need three years to get their ILR.

To qualify for exceptional talent, you need to have more than five years of work experience. You need less than five years of work experience for exceptional promise. I had three at the time, so I was eligible. 

To be given the exceptional promise, you have to show that you’re a promising talent who will bring impact to the UK and will do exceptional things if given the opportunity. To be fair, I have proven myself time and time again in this country. I believe I’ve done my share of impact and still intend to do more.

That’s beautiful. What was the application process like?

You have to gather evidence of your talent or promise. For exceptional promise, you have to submit at least ten pieces of evidence that show you are promising.

A body called refers you to the Home Office. So you first have to get through to Tech Nation; they will endorse you to the Home Office. After that, you do your biometric, pay your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee, and the Home Office will send you the visa.

So, you’ve got your master’s and the global talent visa. What do you currently do?

I’m a Senior Product Manager (PM), and I’m the Chief Executive of , a nonprofit that helps people from underrepresented backgrounds break into product management.

PM Help helps people understand what product management is, among other crucial things. We created a Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate the process, and we offer free certificates upon completion of learning. We have a community that helps people, that provides support, and we also do webinars and workshops where we teach things like vibe coding. We have an AI tool called a CV review tool that will review your CV and tell you what you can do, practical steps you can take to make your CV more product-oriented. There’s also our free interview prep that helps people prepare for interviews. We have something called product therapy, where people just come and vent about their frustrations with job hunting. We also place people on internships with our partner companies.

These sound nice.

We also have a general interview prep session and something called PM Buddy, a mentorship programme that matches 20 mentors with 20 mentees according to their strengths. They have a three-month cohort, just understanding how best to be a product person.

Curious, why are you offering them for free?

Because when I came here, I struggled, and nobody helped me; everyone wanted money, so I kept paying and paying. It was quite frustrating. When I finally got into the space, I realised I had paid for resources that were available online for free. If you go to our learning management system, you’ll find that we literally use existing resources to craft a roadmap.

This is my social impact. It’s me giving back.

Really love it for you. So, what’s your favourite thing about the UK?

I live in London, and I think that’s my favourite part. Sometimes, I can’t believe I live here now, because we’ve read so much about it. London is a good mix of culture; you can literally meet anyone on the streets of London. 

It’s also a city that constantly challenges you to do better. It has redefined my thinking and reshaped me in a way. I used to be set in my ways, but I’ve become more flexible since I came here. It’s also opened me up to so many opportunities, making it easier for me to travel to other parts of the world. It’s just great.

Nice. On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate the UK and why?

It’s a ten over ten for me. It’s such a multicultural place, and you never feel like you’re alone. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than most places, especially Nigeria, where I spent all my life. It’s safe, and most importantly, the system works. 

Sounds like you’re having a swell time. I wish you the best of luck

Thank you!

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Wendy had always wanted to live in Germany, but never pursued it because the student route was hectic. So when she heard about the country’s new skilled worker visa, she jumped at the opportunity. Now, she wants other people to know how surprisingly easy it is to do.

Why she chose to move through the work route

Even though she had always wanted to relocate to Germany, Wendy never felt the need to move through the study route, as that would take more time than she could spare. 

“I knew I didn’t want to move through the study visa because it can take up to two years to get that from Nigeria. The opportunity card was just what I needed, so I decided to jump on it when I came across it,” she said.

What the opportunity card is

Wendy is a huge fan of Germany’s and believes more people would feel the same when they find out about it. She said the visa “allows non-EU citizens to stay in Germany for up to one year to look for qualified employment” and that it’s fashioned that way to attract skilled workers into the country.

The kinds of skills prioritised by German immigration authorities

The way Wendy explains it, the opportunity card does not discriminate; it accepts various kinds of workers, ranging from programmers to teachers, and artisans who went to vocational schools. “You only need to show them that you’ve acquired that skill,” Wendy said, explaining how important it is to have the required documents.

How to secure the opportunity card

“Surprisingly easy” is exactly how Wendy described the process of applying for the visa. Here are the things you need to do and have:

• Have a skill that can be proven through paperwork.
• Pay for your health insurance.
• Have your proof of funds ready. If you have friends or family members already in Germany, you can use a sponsorship letter.
• Get your passport and other necessary documents ready. You can find out about them from this website, and everything about the process can be done .

What it costs to secure the opportunity card

• The application fee- €75
• Proof of funds- €12,000.
• Health insurance charge-€380
• Recognition for proof of qualification-€208

How to stay back after the visa expiration

The German opportunity card allows skilled workers to move to the country without a job, allowing them one-year to find employment. But if you want to remain in the country even after the validity period, Wendy advises you to do either of the following:

• Stay back as a student. You can study for free if you can speak German
• Find a permanent job

What it’s like to live in Germany

When Wendy spoke with us in 2025, she said she misses her friends back home in Nigeria, but is adjusting and likes the country so far. She also listed reserved people, speaking moderately, and the cold weather as things to get accustomed to while living in Germany.

The perks of living in Germany

For Wendy, Germany’s world-class, free education system is one of the best parts of living in the country. She was also specific about its healthcare system, which she describes as solid.

“I came to Germany with an allergy that started in Nigeria. I would typically spend ₩600,000 to get it treated, and still have to wait for hours to see a doctor. But here, the doctor was willing to work with my schedule, and it was practically free.”

Want to share your japa story? Please reach out to me 

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