Gift Wogu

In January 2022, I got tired of living in Nigeria and moved from Lagos to England as an international student. I left behind an amazing job, a thriving freelancing career, and started from scratch in the UK. To survive, I did whatever I had to — including picking up shifts in domiciliary care and care homes.

Fast forward three years, I’m now in a new continent with permanent residency, living life, and trying to make this new place feel like home.

That’s why I decided to start a new blog series called Japa 101 , a space where new immigrants like me share their journeys of relocating and settling in a new country.

In our first edition, Gift Wogu’s Blog sat down with Enele, a Canadian permanent resident, who walked us through her relocation experience. Enele has lived in Canada for almost two years and opened up about her unique journey, from the decision to move, to adjusting to life in a new land.

When did you decide to leave Nigeria?

I started thinking about leaving Nigeria back in 2019. The insecurity in the country, especially during the #EndSARS period, really pushed me to consider moving. That experience fueled my desire to Japa.

How long did you try before it finally clicked?

Between 2019 and 2021, I tried the study route for both Canada and the UK, but it didn’t work. Then in 2022, I decided to explore the Permanent Residency (PR) route, though I didn’t enter the pool until April 2023. From the time I entered the pool to when I got my passport request, it took just six months.
I used the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through the sibling stream, but that particular stream is no longer available.

Click here to watch how to move to Canada as a permanent resident.

We heard IELTS is a challenge. How many times did you write the exam?

Between 2019 and 2023, I wrote IELTS just twice. The first was Academic, when I was trying the study route. The second was General, which I used for Express Entry.
I’m not a fan of writing IELTS countless times, so I made each attempt count.

How much roughly did that cost you?

The IELTS General cost me around ₦83,000, and I paid ₦30,000 for a six-week prep class because I had forgotten most of what I learned when I wrote the Academic version two years earlier.

Where do you live at the moment and when did you land?

I landed in Canada in January 2024, and I currently live in Edmonton, Alberta.

Did you experience any culture shock?

A lot! I arrived during winter. So, it was quite an adjustment. The time was another thing, it gave me a shock to last for a whole century. Daylight savings? I had never experienced that. The methods of greeting “hello” or “hi”, instead of “Oga, good morning oo”, felt quite weird. Bus stops, atmosphere change, nobody shouting “Oshodi Oke, Mile 2, Oshodi Oke” into your ears on a daily basis. Driving rules shock, even bathroom shower shock: I came and was looking for a bucket, but there was no single bucket in the house, only shower. The list is endless as Canada shocks you everyday.

Now, let’s get into what everyone wants to know, the job market. How hard was it for you to get a job?

It took me five weeks and countless applications to get my first job. The job market is really competitive now. I know people who’ve applied to tons of jobs and haven’t gotten any yet. It’s tough.

Did you do anything differently to land a job?

I’m not sure I did anything special. I just applied like my life depended on it because it really did.

I studied Psychology at Covenant University in Ogun State, Nigeria. During my NYSC, I worked as an assistant to a digital marketer and also co-managed an online radio station’s social media. I’ve grown a lot since then, and I believe it’s possible to get a job in Canada with relevant experience from back home, but you have to put in the work.

I also joined the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) and attend their coffee chats every second Saturday of the month to network. That didn’t directly help me get a job, but I found out about a Growth Marketing scholarship through them, and I got it! So yes, networking is important, and so is being prepared to get ghosted.

What has been the most significant improvement in your life since moving to Canada?

I have less anxiety now. I don’t have to worry about insecurity or NEPA taking light. You can use electricity anytime you want.
My life feels more structured, like getting a driver’s license, everything follows a system. Moving and applying for PR is one of the best decisions I made in 2023.

With your experience, will you advise anyone who wants to relocate to make the move?

Absolutely! The last best time was yesterday, the next best time is NOW! You should definitely make the move.

Can you rate your experience in Canada over 10?

7/10 Mainly because of the extreme winter and the tight job market. If those two things were better, I’d easily give it a 9/10.

Follow Enele on social media to know more about her Canadian journey. YouTube: https://youtube.com/@joyogah

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosesoflife_blog/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/enele-ogah

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cerielss

Twitter: https://x.com/Enels_Ogah

Want to share your story? Send an email to ogewogu@gmail.com or a dm to @giftwogu_blog on Instagram.