A Canada-based entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Mapleby Holding Inc., Yusuf BabaTunde, has narrated how he broke down in tears after he was deported from Japan during his first attempt to travel abroad.
BabaTunde, who spoke in an interview with The PUNCH, said his dream of travelling overseas started while growing up in Ebute-Meta, Oyingbo, Alagomeji and Sabo Yaba areas of Lagos, where many families had relatives living abroad.
According to him, he was inspired by neighbours and older friends who relocated to countries such as the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom, adding that he always believed he would someday live outside Nigeria.
Recounting his first travel experience, the entrepreneur said he secured a Japanese visa shortly after graduating from Olabisi Onabanjo University, where he studied Computer Science while running a car business.
“When I got to Tokyo in Japan, I was deported the same day. It was a heartbreaking experience,” he said.
BabaTunde explained that immigration officials became suspicious after questioning him about the purpose of his visit, noting that they were unconvinced by his explanation that he came for a business programme.
“They knew I wanted to japa because I didn’t look like a businessman to them. They took me to another room for questioning for over one hour before deciding to deport me,” he said.
The entrepreneur disclosed that the incident left him emotionally devastated for years, saying he struggled with anxiety and depression after returning to Nigeria.
“It felt like the ground should open and swallow me. I cried and begged them because it was my first trip outside Nigeria. For almost two years, every Saturday reminded me of that painful experience,” he added.
Despite several failed attempts to secure visas to Germany, Turkey, Qatar and Canada afterwards, BabaTunde said he focused on improving himself through education and work.
He revealed that he later secured a graduate trainee engineering job with Etisalat in 2012 before eventually obtaining a United States visa in 2013.
According to him, he spent only 10 days in the US and returned to Nigeria because he wanted to migrate legally.
BabaTunde stated that his breakthrough eventually came in 2015 when he obtained a loan through his employer and relocated to Canada for postgraduate studies.
He said the move later paved the way for his permanent residency and eventual Canadian citizenship.
The businessman also recounted his emotional return to Japan last month, about 16 years after his deportation.
He explained that Japanese immigration officials questioned him again after he disclosed on a pre-arrival form that he had previously been deported from the country.
“I told them how I legally migrated to Canada and became a citizen. The elderly immigration officer looked impressed, stamped my passport for 90 days and told me, ‘Welcome, and enjoy your stay in Japan,’” he said.
BabaTunde said his journey from rejection to success taught him the importance of resilience and persistence.
“Everyone’s dream is valid. If you encounter failure, don’t give up. You only fail when you stop trying,” he added.
