A Nigerian-born nurse and health protection expert currently practising in the United Kingdom, Mr Kevin Ossai, has said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with selling personal property in order to relocate abroad, provided the opportunity is genuine and well-planned, Mr Ossai, who works with Walsall Council in Lichfield as a Health Protection Practitioner, opened up about the tough realities that informed his decision to leave Nigeria and the contrasting experiences he’s encountered since settling in the UK.
Reflecting on his decision to emigrate, Ossai said he found himself unable to envision a secure or stable future in Nigeria due to widespread corruption, persistent insecurity, poor infrastructure, and a broken economic system that continues to short-change hardworking professionals. According to him, the lack of equity and constant police harassment made the environment too toxic to thrive in. He recalled earning far less than his peers despite working longer hours, simply because he was a contract staff. Worse still, he was routinely stopped by police while driving, often dismissed as a “young boy”, and feared that one day, he could be falsely labelled a criminal.
In describing the dire working conditions in Nigeria, he recalled how he and his colleagues were forced to rely on phone flashlights during work hours due to the absence of electricity. “I just couldn’t see where Nigeria was going in ten years,” he said. By 2019, having weighed the risks and opportunities, he made the bold move to the United Kingdom, at a time when foreign-trained nurses were in global demand.
Interestingly, Ossai said he didn’t have to sell any property to fund his migration. He explained that he had prepared well by aligning his nursing qualifications with what the UK National Health Service (NHS) was looking for. Back then, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international mobility, the UK government offered sponsored relocation packages that included free flights, visa support, three months of accommodation, meal allowances, airport pickup, and a modest start-up fund ranging from £200 to £500, some of which were deducted from salary after arrival.
However, when asked if he would advise others to sell their property to relocate abroad, he didn’t hesitate to say yes, under the right conditions. Ossai emphasised that if someone is facing a legitimate opportunity abroad and the only thing standing in the way is a piece of land or a car, then selling it isn’t a mistake. What matters, he warned, is ensuring the job offer is genuine, the process is transparent, and no upfront payments are demanded.
On the common argument that the grass isn’t necessarily greener abroad, he pushed back. He pointed out that even people with good salaries and homes in Nigeria still live under stress. With unreliable power supply, high generator costs, data bills as high as N50,000 per month, and the risk of government-led demolitions, quality of life remains poor. In his words, “It’s not rosy here, but it’s not rosy there either.”
Touching on the ongoing changes to the UK’s immigration policies, including the recently published White Paper, Ossai acknowledged the government’s right to control its borders but urged that legitimate migrants should not be punished for the actions of fraudulent actors. He noted that some of the new measures, such as extending the time required for permanent residency and tightening sponsorship rules, might hurt the system in the long run. Already, he said, many Nigerian professionals are exploring opportunities in Australia, Canada, Luxembourg, New Zealand, and the UAE due to the UK’s increasing restrictions.
When questioned on why many British citizens are unwilling to do the types of jobs Nigerians take on in the UK, he blamed it on the welfare structure. He observed that the UK’s generous benefits system discourages some citizens from seeking employment, especially in labour-intensive sectors like social care. Culturally too, he explained, Britain has a larger elderly population who often live independently, unlike in Nigeria where family support systems are more common. This creates high demand for carers, a role many Nigerian nurses and healthcare workers have capably filled.
On the subject of racism, Ossai said racial discrimination in the UK is more subtle than overt. While racial slurs are illegal, exclusion and cold behaviour are common. Still, he pointed out that Nigerians, having grown up navigating tribal and religious discrimination at home, are mentally equipped to handle such challenges without internalising them.
Regarding knife crime, which has plagued many parts of the UK in recent years, Ossai attributed it to limited access to firearms and the ease with which knives can be carried. He cited statistics showing nearly 50,000 knife-related incidents and over 200 knife-related deaths in 2024 alone. Since knives are both accessible and deadly, they have become the weapon of choice in many street-level crimes.
To Nigerian nurses and professionals still considering their options, Ossai offered a word of encouragement. “Opportunities don’t come twice,” he said, urging them to begin preparations by securing their credentials, verifying job offers, and being ready to act when the time comes. Beyond nurses, he called on engineers, IT professionals, doctors, lawyers, and journalists to position themselves properly if they wish to explore greener pastures.
On a lighter note, Ossai revealed he is also a passionate musician. A gifted keyboardist and drummer, he has been involved in music since primary school. In university, he led music groups and is now preparing to release a new song featuring Tunde of the defunct Styl-Plus music group.
His story is a reflection of the decisions many Nigerians are facing today: whether to stay and persevere through systemic hardship or to take calculated risks in pursuit of a better life abroad. Either way, Ossai’s message is clear, preparedness, not just hope, is the real key to success.