Every year, thousands of Nigerians pack their lives into suitcases and leap into the unknown. The destination could be London, Toronto, Berlin, or Houston. For many, the dream is the same — a better life, a system that works, opportunities they couldn’t grasp back home. But behind every visa approval and Instagram post lies a reality that’s rarely discussed. Dr. Fene Osakwe knows this truth intimately. A UK-based cybersecurity expert, international speaker, and a respected member of the Forbes Technology Council, Osakwe has watched these struggles unfold — not just from the outside, but through the eyes of someone who has walked the same path.
His story didn’t begin in high-rises or corporate boardrooms. Like many, he started with the weight of ambition and the uncertainty of migration. But unlike some, he also carried an unrelenting clarity: survival abroad isn’t just about skill; it’s about mindset, adaptation, and understanding the invisible structures that shape life outside Nigeria.
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In a recent interview, Osakwe opened up about the realities many Nigerians face after relocating. He explained that the struggle is often not because they’re lazy or unskilled, but because they arrive unprepared — emotionally, mentally, and structurally — for a system that is both demanding and indifferent. “Many leave Nigeria with unrealistic expectations,” he says. “They assume that once you land abroad, the money starts rolling in. But what they meet is bills, taxes, loneliness, and a system that doesn’t care who you were back home.” It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply. For many, the first few months feel like a rude awakening. The glory of living “abroad” begins to dull under the weight of 14-hour shifts, multiple jobs, and cultural disconnection. Some find themselves cleaning offices after earning first-class degrees. Others take on caregiving roles or warehouse jobs far removed from their professional training. It’s humbling. It’s disorienting. It’s survival.
Osakwe explains that a major factor is the lack of preparedness for the realities of professional reinvention. “It’s not enough to have a degree,” he notes. “What’s your global relevance? Do you understand the local work culture? Do you have certifications that matter in that country?” These are the questions that most migrants fail to ask before boarding the plane. And when they arrive, the gap between where they are and where they hoped to be becomes a chasm.
But the struggle isn't just external. It’s internal too. There's the mental toll of isolation, the pressure to succeed at all costs, and the shame of admitting that things aren't working out. Osakwe believes that this silence — the unwillingness to talk about the ugly parts — makes things worse. “People don’t share their failures abroad because of pride. But if more people were honest, it would prepare others better,” he said. Still, in the midst of this struggle, there is growth. There is clarity. There is a transformation. Dr. Osakwe himself went from working odd jobs to becoming a respected thought leader in cybersecurity, advising international firms and speaking globally on leadership, strategy, and technology. His life is proof that the struggle, though real, is not the end of the story.
Today, he mentors young Africans in the diaspora, not just on technical skills, but on mental readiness and strategic navigation. “It’s not enough to leave Nigeria,” he says. “You must arrive ready — not just physically, but mentally, financially, emotionally.” His mission is clear: to make sure that the next wave of migrants doesn’t just survive, but thrive. Migration is never a clean break. It is messy, painful, and deeply transformative. Dr. Fene Osakwe’s insights strip away the illusion and offer something more valuable — truth. And in a world obsessed with the gloss of the abroad life, that truth is not just refreshing. It is necessary.
