Why more Nigerians dey relocate to Canada and still return home after 2 years

Wetin dey happen? You don ever hear say why more Nigerians dey relocate to Canada and still return home after 2 years? Yes na that matter. As many Nigerians dey pack their bags head Canada for better life, the twist be say some just do two years, then chop ground back for Naija. We go talk all the gist: why the rush, why the return, wetin e mean for Naija youth and for our diaspora dreams. You go see how this relocation saga tie with Nigeria relocation Canada as short-tail theme, and you go relate if you dey think say “make I japa”. So make we dive in.

Why Nigerians dey relocate to Canada

 Big push factors back home

The major reason many Nigerians dey think relocation abroad is because things for home dey heavy. According to survey by Africa Polling Institute (API): quest for better career opportunities top (75 %), heightened insecurity & violence (60 %), future for children (53 %) and lackadaisical government (35 %) na the drive. 

Also, our “japa” culture (from Yoruba já pa “to flee”) show say many young Nigerians no just relocate for adventure — e dey for survival, for hope. 

Attractive pull factors of Canada

Why Canada? Make we list some:

• Stable economy + higher salaries: For instance, one source show that average annual net salary in Canada far higher than Nigeria. 

• Strong demand for migrants: Canada dey open via programs for skilled workers, entrepreneurs. 

• Better education, healthcare, infrastructure: Big draw especially for parents and youth. 

• Established Nigerian community: Means you no go feel completely lost; there’s a diaspora link. 

• So the migration path for us Nigerians dey: leaving home for better life, job, children education, security.

 “Canada rush” and brain-drain

Data show the number of Nigerians becoming new permanent residents in Canada tripled from ~4,090 in 2015 to ~12,600 in 2019.  That means many are going, and we dey lose some of our best and brightest — scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs. 

So far so good — many Nigerians relocate. But now the interesting part: why many come back after 2 years or so?

So why still return home after 2 years?

High expectations vs reality

Plenty Nigerians go Canada with big dreams: “I go get top job, I go own house, I go make big money”. But the reality sometimes dey different. Some get challenges:

• Lack of Canadian work experience: One immigrant from Nigeria with 12 years IT experience said he struggled for nine months to even find decent job. 

• Jobs may be lower than expected, cost of living high: One forum user wrote:

  “The way you people advertise Canada is so so overrated... I have been living in Canada for 10 years … Not everyone will make it in Canada same as not everyone will make it in 9ja.”

• Culture shock, isolation: While Canada dey safe & orderly, for many Nigerians the social life, weather, climate, cost, may feel heavy.

All this can lead to disappointment and decision to come back.

Cost of living and winter wahala

Canada’s cold climate, long winters, some provinces dey expensive to live. Many Nigerians “overlook” that part when dey plan for relocation. Also cost of living + housing + job hunt = stress. So some prefer to return home where even though systems get wahala, familiarity dey.

Social & cultural ties pull them back

• Homesickness: No matter the place, leaving friends, family, culture, ease of living for “home base” can wear on body.

• Family responsibilities: Elders aging, businesses at home, inheritance. Many come back to take on roles.

• Patriotism: Some realise say home land still get potential, they miss Naija energy, food, language, social life.
  Example: Forum user wrote about returning after many years abroad and struggling to adjust — yet they came back. 

 Nigerian economy improvement or business opportunities back home

Now, one reason for return may be that some Nigerians relocated not only for job but also to gather capital abroad, build network, then come back to start business in Nigeria. With inflation, naira depreciation, local business may look attractive. So return might be strategic.

Immigration or visa constraints

Sometimes the process of staying permanently in Canada, getting recognitions, may take longer or cost more than expected. If job doesn’t materialise, or certification not recognised, some decide say make I head back rather than waste time.

 Psychological & expectation fatigue

After initial honeymoon period, immigrants may confront the grind, and may ask: “was this relocation really worth it?” If the answer lean “no” they may decide to come home. Some may also feel they have achieved what they wanted (experience abroad, children’s education) and ready to come back.

Nigeria gets visitors back: what it means for us

 Impact on Nigerian society & brain-gain

• Returnees can bring skills, exposure and networks from abroad — this is brain-gain instead of brain-drain.

• They can start businesses, invest in Nigeria, create jobs.

• Their stories help other youths weigh options: relocation isn’t always “silver bullet”.

• As a blogger for NaijaScene, we dey see lifestyle angle: how relocation influences identity, diaspora culture, homecoming.

What youths thinking of “japa” should know

If you dey among Nigerian youth dreaming of Nigeria relocation Canada, make we drop gist for you:

• Don’t rush: Research the province, job market, cost of living, your skill recognition.

• Have plan B: If Canada life no go as expected, wetin you go do? Return home? Business? Remote job?

• Think beyond 2 years: If you’ll pack and return, set up goal. If you’ll stay long term, plan for immigration.

• Keep connection home: Even while abroad, stay networked with Nigeria — family, business ideas, social fabric.

• Mental health matters: Loneliness, culture shock, weather, identity issues dey real.

• Money matters: Save, invest, avoid lifestyle inflation abroad + burden back home.

• Returning no mean failure: It can be strategic. Many people relocate, gather experiences, then return even stronger.

Case examples & reactions

While full academic datasets on Nigerians returning after exactly 2 years are scarce, we can draw from forum posts and video content to illustrate.

• A Reddit user reflecting on return:

  “I moved back to Nigeria after 15 years away… I was born in Nigeria, but I left when I was a kid… I didn’t know Nigeria, lol… then I realised I was just learning work 😅.” 
  This shows complex identity when you return.

• Video titled “The Real Reasons Nigerians Are Quietly Leaving Canada – It’s Not What You Think!” underscores that some Nigerians in Canada opt to leave because of cultural isolation, unmet expectations. 
  This supports the return narrative.

From these stories we see: relocation journey doesn’t end at moving; adaptation, sustainability, and sense of belonging matter.

Why many return around 2-year mark specifically

Adaptation phase ends, decision time starts

Usually first year abroad is adaptation: new job search, settling, culture shock, friends, lifestyle. By year two many immigrants ask: “Is this the life I want to stay for 10+ years?” If the answer is “No”, decision to return might follow.

 Immigration / residency timelines

Some immigration pathways require you to work/live for certain period; others may ask about maintaining residency, qualifying for permanent citizenship. If it become too prolonged or expensive, some may give up and return home.

 Accumulated cost vs payoff

By year two, many immigrants evaluate: cost of living vs salary vs savings. If savings negative or progress slower than expected, motivation drop. At home side, returning may offer cheaper cost of living, business opportunities.

 Family pull home becomes stronger

After two years abroad, many might need to address family issues — parents ageing, business back home, children’s education preferences. That pull may tip them back.

The home-coming reality: what they face on return

 Reverse culture shock

Returning to Nigeria is not always smooth. Systems still challenging; you may face power outages, infrastructure issues, bureaucracy. Some returnees may miss the order, infrastructure of Canada. The Reddit post above testify. 

 Business & job opportunity

If you return with Canadian experience, you may still face local hiring bias (they may prefer local experience) or have difficulty pivoting. On the flip side, you could leverage your diaspora experience.

 Re-integration into Nigerian society

Lifestyle, social circle, expectations may change. If you spend time abroad your mindset may shift; reconnecting with home culture, networks requires effort.

 Mental health & identity questions

Returnees may feel they don’t fully belong either place – not fully “home” yet adapted abroad. That can cause tension.

What this trend tell us about Nigeria & diaspora

Nigeria still export of human capital

Despite returns, the push factors remain: youth disproportionately willing to relocate: 70 % of Nigerians aged 18-35 in a survey said they’d move if the opportunity exists. 

So Nigeria still faces challenge of retaining talent.

 Importance of framing return migration positively

Return migration no mean failure. If managed well, it can become part of solution: skilled diaspora returnees drive growth. Nigerian government institutions like Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) exist to harness diaspora potential. 

 Migration decisions are dynamic

Many youths now see relocation not as one-way ticket, but as strategy: go, gain, return, invest. This flexibility is changing migration narrative.

So, wetin you think about this matter? Drop your thoughts for comment section!

Conclusion

In summary, the question why more Nigerians dey relocate to Canada and still return home after 2 years get many layers. On one hand, the Nigeria relocation Canada story is driven by real economic, security, educational pushes and Canadian pulls. On the other hand, the decision to return often reflects unmet expectations, cost vs benefit calculations, family ties, culture or strategic reversal.

For Nigeria, this trend means our diaspora story is evolving: it’s not only about leaving, but sometimes coming back stronger, bringing experiences home. For Nigerian youth, if you dey think of japa to Canada, remember: relocation no be cure-all. Plan well, understand both countries, be ready for adaptation, and whether you stay abroad longer or return after 2 years, make the move work for your life goals.

Make we continue the convo — how many of your friends or family have tried relocating abroad and come back to Nigeria? What was their reason? Share below.

Thanks for reading this long gist — stay tuned on NaijaScene.com for more Nigeria news and gossip, lifestyle stories and diaspora vibes.

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