UK LIVING. Searching for greener pastures has always been synonymous with Nigerians. I remember the famous NTA advert of Andy 'checking out'. Nigerians have always dreamt of faraway lands. The cause of recent migration ( within the last 30yrs) can be mainly attributed to economic factor, every other excuse or reason is second to this; but the possibility of a shock awaits a good proportion of people who make this great journey. All might not be what it seems when one arrives. After arrival, the main priority for them is to find a job. So they expect to work, work, and work… and then work some more all in the name of making serious money to possibly send back home.
I will like to break down the categories of people involved in this exodus. In my humble opinion, I feel there are 2 categories of people who make this great journey. The first are those 'Without paper' and secondly, those 'With paper' (either by birth, or via highly skilled programmes). 'Paper' here means –the ability to work. There's a group of people who would fit in either category and they are called STUDENTS. Students are allowed to work for the duration of their study so they can be tagged 'With paper' but come end of the course, they are expected to leave the country. So when and if they overstay they are then 'Without paper'. In the past (less likely now) those 'without paper' or illegal immigrants, found it easier to find jobs (there are JOBS and there are JOBS) because there were some unscrupulous people/companies that would employ and pay you 'under the table' (without you presenting the proper documentation) because they could exploit you. This is the way it works - he employs and pays you less than what the market is offering because he knows you won't complain due to your illegal status. Let's say the market rate was going for £6/hr, he would pay half of that or even worse. It works for you because you are getting paid at least. Obviously you won't go reporting to the authorities because you will be arrested, detained and shipped back to MOTHERLAND for being illegal in the first place. But now that loophole has been closed by EU immigrants who have the 'paper' and also offer cheap labour like you. So it makes sense for an employer to take in EU immigrants rather than you
What makes you illegal? The visa you got from Lagos/Abuja explicitly states that you are strictly here on visiting purposes or for school and after a certain date you are expected to leave the country, but NO you haven't left, hence you have become an illegal, Simple. Now this is where the make or break HUSTLE begins for you. You start thinking of getting married to a British/EU citizen as this is the only way to legalize yourself (mainly the only way). At this stage in your sojourn, you may or may not have a job, even if you have a job, it is HIGHLY likely its nothing to write home about and the future looks bleak. To go back to Nigeria isn't an option because you told everyone you were leaving for good. At this time it is very likely that you are using a fake passport with a fake name to seek for job opportunities because your real passport will show your EXPIRED status. Using a fake name can be harmful in some ways because any previous qualifications or career that you previously had can't be referenced in any job you are going for. For those on Face book, they would have their pictures put up showing them enjoying the 'good life', meanwhile this may not be the case. Being illegal has caused some people to miss their father's burial because if you go back you can't come in. Some have been here for donkey years and might never go back. Legalising yourself may take a good part of 10-15yrs. Some more and some very few
2ND PHASE - YOU ARE NOW LEGAL/ YOU HAVE PAPERS
BUT some people are lucky and things work out for them, they get married or get legal some other way. Then the HUSTLE starts. After paying your DUES (menial jobs or the like) you will most likely arrive at this stage where your first decent job awaits you. Now you are on par with fellow documented Nigerians 'With paper' and you think it's all good because all the while you have been saying to yourself 'if I only I was legal, I will make so much money'. Here's the shock, there's a high possibility that you will end up being an average UK salary earner of £23, 244/per annum according to 'The telegraph'. This is 75% of UK citizens. This equates to around £1,497/month after tax; this is likely to be less after your work pension and union money has been deducted. Do people earn more? 'Yes' and can people earn less? - 'VERY BIG YES'. Now the aforementioned salary isn't bad in itself if you respect yourself and live within your means. On this salary you will live by but don't expect to build a house or REPRESENT in Nigeria with it. You will be lucky to save £100/month; ok let's work with £200. If you save £200/month for 5yrs this will equate to £12,000; the equivalent of three (3) million Naira. Saving £200/month means, you don't send money to your mother, father, siblings in Nigeria or you don't have kids, not married, not renting a flat/house/Mortgage/no car. Basically you will have to be stingy and be living in shared accommodation to make these savings. To get a mortgage on this level will be difficult. On this level, you can travel to Nigeria after careful planning; you can have a comfortable/content lifestyle and afford the good things of life (which is standard and basic). Your money can only sustain you here. Forget trying to invest in Nigeria or doing any capital intensive project because you can't. Your chances increase slightly/marginally when you get married. Your wife may be among the 75% of UK average earners or bottom 25% that earn less than you. With combined incomes and a good wife or if you are good towards your wife you can possibly do more. Get a qualification if you haven't got one or rack on experience. In this phase you will have kids and become entrenched in the society and disposable income becomes non-existent. Husband and wife needs to encourage themselves. Run away from debts. Say no to credit cards if you don't know how to spend wisely. It's very difficult to leave this phase. The idea is to move out from this class as soon as possible. It's sad to say that most people will live and die in this class/phase – nothing wrong with it though (depending on your life goals).
3rd PHASE: Hustling but making progress.
£31,759 is the magic number. That's what you earn per annum. You are now among the top 25% of UK earners. You bring back home £1,986 net; again this is likely be less after your work pension and union money has been deducted. You begin to get involved in the society. You are middle class proper. You will want a mortgage. Your bills weigh you down. You are lucky if you don't have credit card bills and loans – VERY UNLIKELY, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. You have kids, car/cars etc. With a good wife and good planning you will dare to believe. Your combined incomes make you a 'mini-force'. You are in mid-level management position or along those lines. The future is bright only if you believe; but you are not out the woods yet, just in case you start thinking you can buy that house/land in Nigeria. On this level you can go to the bank and borrow a substantial amount of money to buy that Nigerian property/land that has been your dream, but your loan repayments and other financial commitments will perpetually render you broke at the end of every month. On the other hand, if you have wrecked your CREDIT WORTHINESS in the 2nd phase, to get a loan from a bank is impossible. In this phase, your disposable income is strained because by now you have so much coming out from your account that taking on any Nigerian project may very well be unwise. Agreements between husband and wife is paramount here, please be at PEACE. You still may not be able to take on Nigeria. You may start thinking of relocating to Nigeria; this is easier said than done. If you are here it is very possible to get to the next phase, don't slow down. Wives should encourage their men and husbands likewise.
4th AND FINAL PHASE..AND OTHER PHASES
You think you have arrived or have finally achieved your goals by landing that dream job. Welcome to the top 10% of UK earners, £39000 - £44000/per annum. After tax, your take home will be between £2,400-£2,600/monthly. Ha ha, I see you smiling now, yeah am smiling too. As usual this is likely to be less after your work pension and union money has been deducted. If you are married to a good wife (or if you are good towards your wife) and you plan well the sky is your limit. But getting here can be very tricky and difficult. Not everyone achieves this status, you may never get here. At this level, you should have acquired enough working experience and your CV will have to look strong. This is likely to be a proper management position, highly skilled position or along those lines. You would have paid enough DUES to get here. The truth is you still might not be able to buy that small house you want in Abuja or Lagos that is going for 7 million naira (around these figures). At this time you have a mortgage, a nice car and kids. Yes, after careful planning too you can afford a plane ticket to Nigeria for visits and this might be all that you can do in regards with investing in Nigeria, YOU STILL DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO COMPETE WITH YOUR MATES BACK HOME. The idea is not to compete but do what you NEED to do back home. At this time in your life, it is possible that you may be considering going back to Nigeria for good because you have the good experience but… it is easier said than done. You will really have to get a good job in Nigeria that can pay for the same quality of life you and your family enjoy in the UK. Only perseverance of that which you really want will propel you to a higher dream.
There is a top 5% that earn £52,000 - £6100/per annum and a top 1% of £117,000-150,000/per annum. If you find yourself in the top 1%, you should be giving back to Nigeria and you better start making yourself very relevant in Nigeria political and socioeconomic processes. If in the top 1%, I respect you because you are and should be an authority in your field. It is very easy for you to find a good quality job in Nigeria if you really want to relocate. It will be a very big shame on you if you are bugged down with too much debt/credit agreement that has now brought you down to the phase 2/3 level. It's not what you earn that matters, it's what you have left after your monthly financial commitments. Being in debt can kill you in this country. You MUST be a role model for your people because you are a testimony. Your stories/travails should be a source of encouragement to others.
Lastly, it is not impossible to achieve and realise ones goals in the UK, it’s a matter of perseverance and faith. I know that a vast majority of Nigerians can’t afford a land/property in Abuja or Lagos, but for the Nigerians who live in the UK there are too many success stories coming out from Nigeria (whether this is true or not we don't know); hence the unending longings to relocate back home. There is that feeling among Nigerians in diaspora/UK that Nigeria could offer them more.
N.B. These are my personal opinions. Figures used are mainly for people employed in the public sector/civil servants. This theory can be applied to the private sector employees too. Business owners are not accounted for. 2008 references sourced. With inflation and recession in world economies now, these figures should be very relevant in 2011.
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