A Nigerian creative designer, Janet Odeleke, has opened up about why she left Nigeria for the United Kingdom in December 2022, citing political uncertainty and poor quality of life as her major reasons.
In an interview, Odeleke revealed that the fear of the outcome of the 2023 presidential election heavily influenced her decision to emigrate.
She said she could not bear the thought of remaining in Nigeria if the All Progressives Congress (APC) retained power.
“There were two factors actually. But the election was the first. I just couldn’t bear to stay in that country if Tinubu was going to win,” she said.
Odeleke, who previously worked as a graphic designer for a digital media company in Lagos, noted that although she was earning well by local standards, the harsh living conditions and daily stress took a toll on her.
She said the thought of raising a family in such an environment became unacceptable.
“I was working and making good money—at least compared to a lot of people. But the quality of life was just not there. I would leave really early in the morning and get back home late. I didn’t want to raise my family in that environment,” she explained.
Another major factor in her decision, she said, was the state of the Nigerian education system.
With a strong desire to pursue a Master’s degree, Odeleke opted to study abroad rather than settle for what she described as a failing system.
“I really wanted to get my Master’s degree, and I definitely didn’t want to do it in Nigeria because the education system is just terrible. So, I just said let me move,” she added.
She enrolled at Teesside University in Middlesbrough, North East England, where she earned a Master’s degree in Digital Media and Communications.
Although it took four months to land a job after completing her studies, she eventually relocated to Scotland with her husband and now works for a tax organisation.
