NewStats: 3,264,012 , 8,182,260 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 09:48 AM 1c5lu

He Left His 7-Figure Job In Nigeria To Study In Canada. Now He’s A Permanent Resident.

Zahir took a risk when he left everything behind to start over in Canada but it paid off…

Someone you know has left or is planning to leave. 1,000 Ways To Japa will speak to real people and explore the infinite number of reasons and paths they use to get to Japa

Zahir* (29) left his seven-figure job in 2022 to start over as a student in Canada against his family’s wishes. Three years later, he became a permanent resident, homeowner, and six-figure earner in Canada. In this story, he shares how he achieved these goals with a plan he crafted in Nigeria.

When did you move from Nigeria, and where do you live now?

I live in Canada now. I left Nigeria in January of 2022.

What was the motivation behind your move?

To be honest, #EndSARS changed everything for me. After witnessing what happened, I knew I had to leave the country. I tried relocating through the Express Entry route at first, but it didn’t work out. I didn’t give up, though; a part of me felt like I needed to leave Nigeria, so that’s what I did.

So, how exactly did you move to Canada?

I ended up moving as a student. I applied for a postgraduate program in data analytics, but I devised a plan to convert my student visa to a work visa afterwards and get my permanent residence. I achieved all of that in less than two years.

I want to hear about that plan. But first, tell me how you could afford to study in Canada.

I wasn’t lucky enough to secure a scholarship, despite my strong academic track record. On the other hand, I actually didn’t try that hard to get a scholarship because I could afford to sponsor myself. I grew up poor in Nigeria but managed to build myself up. The school fees were around 17,000 Canadian dollars at the time, and I had saved up more than that already. I was a senior data scientist in Nigeria, and my monthly income was ₦1.6 million. The exchange rate was still fair then, so I paid in full even though the school gave me the option to pay in instalments.

You gave that up to start over as a student in Canada?

Yes. Now that I’m thinking about it, it sounds a bit silly, but I got to where I am today because I took risks. Before my Canadian degree, I had gotten into a fully funded master’s program in South Africa. Through that program, I got a paid opportunity to visit Canada as a research assistant for a week. That one week in Canada gave me all the right reasons to move to the country permanently.

Can you walk me through how you secured ission into a Canadian university?

The process is simple compared to some other countries. If you plan on sponsoring yourself, research and identify the schools within your budget. You’ll need to pay an application fee of as high as $100, so keep that in mind. When you decide on the university you want to attend, decide on the program you’ll love to enrol in and tailor your Statement of Purpose (SOP) to the programme’s requirements.

You’ll likely be asked to pay your tuition deposit when you get your ission offer. When you receive the semester tuition, you can apply for your visa. At this stage, you’ll need proof of funds, which was $10,000 when I moved. You’ll also need the school to issue you a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), a document that helps the Canadian government track the number of students allocated to each School. The school will only issue a PAL to you if you have met its payment obligations.

Do you have any tips for intending Canadian postgraduate students?

Your proof of funds can go a long way in getting your visa. My visa application was denied the first time because I made an avoidable mistake. If you are self-funding, it’s easier to present your bank statements because you already have a documented record of your income. If your parents or others are funding you, I’ll advise that you ask the sponsor to write a deed of gift, which is a letter to the Canadian embassy explaining why they intend to sponsor a student.

Thank you. Would you say leaving your seven-figure income to study in Canada was worth it?

The school itself wasn’t worth it, but it gave me opportunities for which I am grateful. It would have been impossible to get to where I am today without studying in Canada. I got my first analytics manager role here during my first four months. Although I could only work for 20 hours at the time, my offer letter stated the company would convert me to a full-time staff member when I graduated. They kept their word, and I started earning a six-figure salary when I was retained as a full staff member. I worked there for a year and got my permanent residency.

So that is the plan you had before you left Nigeria?

Yes, that was the plan, but I didn’t entirely know what I was doing; I was just taking a chance on myself. I came to Canada with two dreams: getting my permanent residency and buying my first home. You cannot buy a house here until you get a permanent residency, so I knew I had to get that out of the way quickly. About a year after I became a permanent resident, I bought my first home.

That’s insane. Where are you people seeing this money?

My job is one of the top 5% highest-paying jobs in Canada. I make over $100,000 yearly. The funniest part is that some of my family were against me moving to Canada because I was earning well in Nigeria, but now, when they visit me in Canada, they go on and on about how I made the best decision. I left in 2022, and by 2023, the economy had started falling apart, so to them, I had foresight. But they give me too much credit because I barely knew what I was doing. I thank God because I owe my success to Him.

You’ve hacked financial freedom in Canada. How is your social life?

It’s a lonely country, but I’ve made some good friends and we’ve managed to build a community. We play tennis often and help each other out when we can.

You’re winning in life. Are you ever going to move back to Nigeria?

I visit Nigeria often, and I plan to move back at some point. It might not happen in the next ten years, but it’ll surely happen. I moved to Canada because I didn’t want to live and die in one country. Now that I’ve achieved that, I can picture a future where I retire early and live the rest of my life in Nigeria.

On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you in Canada?

It’s way over ten. I’m a man of few needs and wants, so I can easily afford everything I desire. Things are working out for my good.

Source: https://www.zikoko.com/citizen/he-left-everything-to-start-over-in-canada/

There is this. Then there is also this below:

Summary: Life is a risk... Don't be afraid to take a risk on yourself!!!
If you make it; the story ends well. If your risk leads to failure, you have a story to tell. Nevertheless, TAKE DA RISK!!!

Only Risk takers can collect their own Lion share in Life

It is a risk not to take a risk.

dawnomike:
Summary: Life is a risk... Don't be afraid to take a risk on yourself!!!
If you make it; the story ends well. If your risk leads to failure, you have a story to tell. Nevertheless, TAKE DA RISK!!!

😆

Japa Nigerians

For the love of me, I don't see why relocating from your home land to a foreign land a success.

We are screwed up mentally as people, thanks to useless African leaders.

Imagine people making relocation to foreign land a prayer point, an ambition or dream... That's how fxxkedup we are as people.

Yeye..

If you are tired, come back home . Simple

Nairaland has started sharing this blog's fake stories! 😁😁😁

Lol mak una getat with all this lamentation abg...



It's your choice is either you stick to your choice and navigate your way through it or come back home...


See UK people now doz one don silent lately the economy don wipe Dem Oraimo cord we no dey hear dere voice again...



I don't even see traveling out as achievement I won't leave where's certain for me to an uncertain terrain if you say you're a risk taker fine, if you say I'm scared fine that's your business.

My want from life is different from urs will rather relocate to less cheap Africa country study dere policy and get dere permit.

hmm

100k Canadian dollars isn't magnificent.

Na so una go just dey use good news spoil person mind everyday like sey no be God create person too. Una no go fit kill me with depression o

N

If you can afford it. I have one word for you ... MOVE!

SmartPolician:
Nairaland has started sharing this blog's fake stories! 😁😁😁

the story na fake story jare

Congratulations to him. Like someone said up there, life in itself is a risk.

I think I know this guy. He lives somewhere around Jane/Finch intersection.

Ok

Chai! Black man is always moving. Never resting

QuinQ:
There is this. Then there is also this below:

Both perspectives are valid tbvh

I left immediately after Nigerians reelected Buhari in 2019 because I figured Nigerians are not ready to see Nigeria work. How can Buhari be reelected after a disastrous 4yrs?

I also came as a student, did a postgraduate in project management and now a Canadian, a Biafran, a Deltan and a Nigerian in that order

We go soon see thread say: Left Nigeria for Canada, now this is happening.

I left in 2022, and by 2023, the economy had started falling apart, so to them, I had foresight.

The economy started falling apart right after Tinubu was sworn in and then he made that thoughtless statement, 'Subsidy is gone.' Then came the floating of the Naira, and since then, the economy has stayed broken.

If you have the required skill, the financial capacity and you're really good, please go.

Commentor:
100k Canadian dollars isn't magnificent.

I bet you don't have 1000 CAD. Talking trash online.

God bless ur hustle 🙏