Gloria Adesanya

LinkedIn

The ‘Japa’ (relocation) wave isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Every week, someone you know is either processing a visa, moving abroad, or already posting airport selfies. But while everyone’s chasing greener pastures, not many people truly understand <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/silent-cost-of-relocation-what-returnees-wish-they-knew-2025062310091740598">what life abroad really looks like</a>. From the kinds of entry-level jobs Nigerians get abroad to realistic salary expectations and the cost of survival, relocation comes with surprises that no one posts on Instagram.&nbsp;This article is your guide to doing it differently. By the end, you’ll know how to approach your Japa plans strategically with the right mindset and energy. Where are Nigerians targeting? Where is the best place to relocate to, and <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/careers/overlooked-careers-global-opportunities-nigerians-2025082012001041723">what jobs are they starting with</a>? I’ve broken it down so you can easily compare and see where you fit in.

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Yes, you read that right. Japan is actively seeking foreign talent, with places like Kisarazu City launching special programmes. It’s a unique chance to experience a rich culture while building your career. With an ageing population, they're <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/06/10-countries-hiring-nigerians-other-foreign-workers-in-2025-with-easy-visa-process/">actively hiring foreign workers</a>.

<h3>Top Entry &amp; Mid-Level Jobs</h3>

<ul><li>Carers: Huge demand. Often requires a specific training programme, but agencies frequently sponsor visas. The pay ranges from ¥140,757 to ¥431,516 (₦1,366,543.56 to ₦4,189,386.03) per month, depending on your <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.paylab.com/jp/salaryinfo/medicine-social-care/caregiver#:~:text=Salaries%20in%20the%20survey%20are,Share">skill level</a>.&nbsp; </li><li>IT Engineers: If you have 2+ years of experience in programming or system management, the door is wide open. The pay ranges from ¥250,000 to ¥400,000 (Around ₦2,427,132.50 to ₦3,883,412). </li><li>English Teachers: Programs like the JET Programme are popular. A degree is typically mandatory, but teaching experience is often not required. The pay is around ¥230,000 - ¥280,000 (Around ₦2,232,961.90 - ₦2,718,388.40) </li><li>Skilled Labour: Welders, plumbers, and construction machine operators are needed.</li></ul>

<h3>Your Visa Pathway</h3>

The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa is your <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.globalization-partners.com/globalpedia/japan/visa-permits/">primary ticket</a>. It requires passing a skills and Japanese language exam. For graduates, the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) points-based system is a faster route to permanent residency.

<ul><li>Pros: Incredibly safe, excellent public transport, high-quality healthcare.</li><li>Cons: The language barrier is real, cultural integration can be challenging, and the work culture can be intense.</li></ul>

Relocation Tip: Wondering how to ‘japa’ to Japan from Nigeria without a degree? The SSW visa is your best bet. Start learning basic Japanese now, it dramatically increases your chances.Wondering how to ‘japa’ to Japan from Nigeria? Start by checking the official Japan Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in Abuja or Lagos, or visit their website: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/jpn">VFS Global</a>. The process is more straightforward than you think.

READ ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/the-best-way-to-learn-a-language-2025100213063312333">The Best Ways to Learn a Language in 2025</a>.

Australia’s economy is booming, and they need hands on deck. If you’re in the trades or tech, this might be your spot. Their immigration system is points-based and highly competitive, but the rewards are significant.

<ul><li>Construction: Project Managers, Civil Engineers, and Carpenters with a pay range of AUD $95,000 - $140,000 (Around ₦85M - ₦125M)</li><li>Healthcare: Aged and Disabled Carers, Registered Nurses, and GPs with a pay range of AUD $75,000 - $95,000 (Around ₦67M - ₦85M)</li><li>Tech: Everything from DevOps Engineers to IT Support Analysts, with a pay range of AUD $85,000 - $120,000 (Around ₦76M - ₦107M)</li><li>Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, and Chefs, with an hourly rate of $70 to $200.&nbsp;</li></ul>

<h3>The Visa Pathway</h3>

The new Skills in Demand Visa is set to replace the old subclass 482. It offers clearer pathways to permanence. You'll need to have your skills assessed and score high enough on the points test (age, English proficiency, and work experience).

<ul><li>Pros: High minimum wage, fantastic<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/how-to-recover-from-burnout-2025101005475036257"> work-life balance</a>, beautiful outdoors. </li><li>Cons: The high cost of living in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.</li></ul>

READ ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/career-shifts-nigeria-japa-wave-2025082913523810985">5 Career Shifts Happening Because of Nigeria’s Japa Wave</a>.

New Zealand has new visas for seasonal work. This makes it an increasingly attractive option for Nigerians looking for a fresh start.&nbsp;They have a "Green List" of professions that get you on a fast track to residency.

<ul><li>Skilled Trades &amp; Tech: The new "Trades and Technicians" residency pathway targets practical skills, with specific roles <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-the-skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa-announced/">to be announced soon</a>. Tech roles also remain in high demand.</li><li>Seasonal Skilled Work: Roles like Agricultural Technician, Winemaker, shearer, and Outdoor Adventure Instructors are available under the <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://businessday.ng/news/article/nigerians-eligible-to-apply-for-new-zealands-seasonal-visa-schemes-valid-for-3-years/">new Global Workforce Seasonal Visa</a>. However, note that these seasonal visas do not allow you to bring your family.</li><li>Healthcare: Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Technologists are consistently needed, often requiring New Zealand registration.</li><li>General Skilled Roles: The Skilled Migrant Category covers a wide range of professions, from construction to IT.</li></ul>&nbsp;Salaries are often tied to the median wage, which is used for visa thresholds. As of August 2025, the <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/changes-to-accredited-employer-work-visa-aewv-form-questions-for-green-list-occupations-and-wage-thresholds/">median wage is NZ$33.56 per hour</a> (approx. ₦2.1M per month).

<ul><li>Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): The main temporary work visa. You need a job offer from an accredited employer.</li><li>Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa: The main path to residency. From mid-2026, two new pathways will make it easier for skilled workers and tradespeople to gain residence.</li><li>Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV): A new visa valid for up to 3 years for experienced seasonal workers. Requires 3 seasons of experience in the past 6 years. It has no English language requirement.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Pros: Direct pathways to residency, a beautiful environment, and a government actively seeking to attract and retain skilled migrants.</li><li>Cons: The cost of living, particularly in major cities, is high.</li></ul>

READ ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/food-and-travel/5-relatively-unpopular-european-countries-that-wont-cost-so-much-to-japa-to-2025072612464754832">5 relatively unpopular European countries that won't cost so much to japa to</a>.

Germany is making it easier with its new points-based "Opportunity Card". While knowing basic German is a huge plus, there are still opportunities for English speakers, especially in tech.

<ul><li>Engineering: Mechanical, Automotive, and Electrical Engineers. Estimated Annual Salaries:&nbsp; €50,000 - €70,000 (Around ₦50M - ₦70M).</li><li>IT: Software Developers, Data Scientists, DevOps Engineers. Estimated Annual Salaries: €45,000 - €65,000 (Around ₦45M - ₦65M). </li><li>Healthcare: Doctors, Nurses, and Medical Technologists. Estimated Annual Salaries: €35,000 - €45,000 (Around ₦35M - ₦45M).</li><li>Logistics: Supply Chain Specialists and Warehouse Managers.</li></ul>

The new Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) is a game-changer. It’s a points-based system that allows you to go to Germany for one year to search for a job. You must prove you can cover your living costs and have basic German skills (or a university degree).

<ul><li>Pros: Strong economy, central location in Europe for travel, and low or free university tuition.</li><li>Cons: Bureaucracy can be slow and complex; learning German is almost essential for long-term integration outside of major cities like Berlin.</li></ul>

READ ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/lifestyle/food-and-travel/youre-not-ready-to-japa-if-you-still-do-these-5-things-2025070612544661459">You're not ready to japa if you still do these 5 things</a>.

Canada remains a top pick for its straightforward, immigrant-friendly policies. The focus has shifted heavily to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), meaning you might not be heading to Toronto or Vancouver first.

<h3>Top Entry &amp; Mid-Level Jobs</h3>

<ul><li>Healthcare: Nurses, Registered Care Aides, and Pharmacists are in chronic shortage. The pay is around $70,000 - $95,000 (Around ₦70M - ₦95M).</li><li>Tech: Software Developers, Data Analysts, and Cybersecurity Specialists are highly sought after with a pay range of $60,000 - $85,000 (Around ₦60M - ₦85M).</li><li>Trades: Truck drivers, welders, and electricians are essential and well-paid. The salary ranges from $45,000 to $65,000 (Around ₦45M - ₦65M).</li></ul>

The Express Entry system is the main federal route, but your golden ticket is often a Provincial Nominee Programme (PNP). Provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba have specific streams for in-demand occupations. Getting a nomination massively boosts your Express Entry score.

<ul><li>Pros: Direct path to citizenship, multicultural societies in major cities, strong social services.</li><li>Cons: High cost of living in major cities (Toronto, Vancouver), brutally cold winters in most regions.</li></ul>

Your Japa journey might seem daunting now, but with the right information and a solid plan, you can move from dreaming to packing. The world is big, and there’s a place in it with your name on it. Now, go get it!

Every week, someone you know is either processing a visa, moving abroad, or already posting airport selfies.

Japa 2025: The Hottest Countries and Jobs That Can Get You There

Anna Ajayi

Instagram

Nobody warns you about the homesickness that hits you after spending a week in a foreign land. You start missing the version of yourself that only existed inside that place.&nbsp;For many Nigerians who japad, what gets missed most is not just jollof or local foods, it’s the life that made those foods taste like home.

Yes, people miss food. But it’s deeper than recipes. You can get tomatoes and rice anywhere and whip up jollof. But can you replicate okro soup, oha, or egusi that tastes like mum’s?

<h2>What do Nigerians abroad actually miss the most?</h2>

What do Nigerians abroad actually miss the most?

Aside from the food, what else do Nigerians abroad actually miss?

<h2>1. Being effortlessly understood</h2>

At home, you don’t need subtitles for your own life. You can say “abeg shift” or “you dey whine me?” and everyone gets it. But abroad, every gist must come with footnotes.A London-based Nigerian I spoke to shared their experience, “The hardest part is not language, but relatable humour. I can’t banter the way I used to. I have to filter jokes so they don’t sound harsh or explain what’s supposed to be funny. It’s draining.”

Surprisingly, many Nigerians abroad say they miss the chaos and noise. Nigeria is loud, stressful and unpredictable, and yet, for many, the silence is somehow worse. There’s no compound gist, no neighbour randomly knocking to ask for Maggi and salt. These small frictions that made daily life feel communal simply disappear.

A friend who relocated to Germany told me, “Back home, I had involved neighbours. Here, no one really cares. Everyone just minds their business.”

When the environment becomes transactional and private, people start missing the accidental intimacy of Nigeria and the unsolicited but comforting nosiness that made you feel like you belonged.

<h2>3. Parties and raves</h2>

“There’s no rave like<a target="_self" class="editor-link" href="https://www.pulse.ng/articles/pulse-picks/top-raves-lagos-2025050911065860116"> a Nigerian rave</a>”

Abroad, clubs follow schedules, nightlife is measured, and you barely feel that “obleee” energy. Back home, it’s the enjoyable chaos, the loud Afrobeats, the call and response from the DJ. “You can’t get that anywhere in Canada”, a friend who recently relocated told me. “I miss the raves!”&nbsp;

You don’t just attend a party in Nigeria, you become it.

<h2>4. Dressing loud without being exoticised</h2>

A recurring theme is fashion, not fashion as luxury, but fashion as normal.&nbsp;

An X user said, “Do you want to know what I miss the most about Nigeria? The ability to dress like this, in bright colours and patterns, every day, without causing a stir, or having someone say ‘oh, I love your costume, so exotic!’ So tired of the blacks, blues and greys.”&nbsp;

In many cities abroad, bright prints become an “ethnic moment,” a subject of stares and questions. In Nigeria, colour is everyday, safe, and unremarkable. That ordinary freedom is surprisingly precious.

<h2>5. Culture shock surrounding gender norms and social expectations</h2>

Some of the things people say about what they miss most are more complicated. One X user wrote about the discomfort of adjusting to different social norms around gender and sexuality.&nbsp;

The different social norms around gender and sexuality can be a culture shock

“One thing I miss about Nigeria is that I'd have to keep my cool when a grown ass man says he is gay and acts like one here in America. That shit is annoying, and it’s not what we’re used to.”&nbsp;

That tweet is an honest, awkward reality of how norms shift and how some Nigerians struggle to adjust.

Another X user wrote, “I miss Nigeria. You could be walking down the road, and a sugar daddy would just say, ‘Fine girl, let me drop you off.’ But in the UK, there's nothing like that.”

When Nigerians say they miss home, it’s more of a social code than a physical place. It’s the freedom to be loud, visible, and imperfect without apology. Abroad, everything must be explained, curated, and moderated. And, you’re constantly reminded of the colour of your skin. That, specifically, could be a huge culture shock for many.&nbsp;

If you’re planning to japa, pack spices and an extra suitcase for garri. The foods will help, yes, but the real work is rebuilding the messy, casual community that once made your life effortless. That means finding other Nigerians who laugh loud, speak pidgin, and can show you where to buy local Nigerian foods. It means learning how to be loud in a quiet city without losing yourself in a new place.

Nostalgia will hit, and when it hits, don’t be embarrassed. It only means you were once at home enough to know what home tastes like.

In the meantime, enjoy this 'new dispensation', but never lose your Nigerianness.

The real shock for many Nigerians isn’t the accent struggle or the weather.

What Nigerians Abroad Miss the Most (Hint: It’s Not Just the Food)

Segun Adeyemi

Facebook

Twitter

<h2>Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has expressed his support for Nigerian youths seeking opportunities overseas. </h2>

While donating ₦60 million to two higher institutions in Anambra State, Obi reassured students that seeking opportunities abroad is a valid option if they cannot achieve their goals in Nigeria.

Obi made a generous donation of ₦50 million to Peter University in Achina/Onneh and ₦10 million to the School of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu.

During a visit to the nursing college, he addressed students, saying, "If it is not going to work for you here, go to where it will work for you. We will not advise anyone to stay where it is difficult for them."

He encouraged students to consider studying abroad, believing that a brighter future awaits them. "When we build a greater Nigeria, you will come back," Obi said, stressing that those who migrate will one day return to contribute to the nation’s progress.

READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/avoid-the-temptation-to-japa-tinubu-tells-nigerian-graduates/mg8rcsb">Avoid the temptation to japa - Tinubu tells Nigerian graduates</a>

Reflecting on his own experiences, Obi shared the story of his former personal assistant, Michael-Jude, who had moved to the UK to pursue his studies.

"I am now looking for a new PA," Obi joked, highlighting the valuable opportunities abroad.

Earlier, Obi addressed students at Peter University, urging them to strive for academic excellence.

He described education as the most significant tool for national development and called on students to view themselves as future leaders capable of driving change.

Obi’s continued donations and support for educational institutions underline his commitment to fostering professionalism, skill, and national progress.

Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has expressed his support for Nigerian youths seeking opportunities overseas.

Obi to Nigerian students: 'If it doesn't work here, go abroad'

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