A 48-year-old Nigerian woman has bravely opened up about the profound personal struggles she faced after leaving her homeland for the United Kingdom, describing a period of intense identity crisis and a "dark phase" that tested her resilience.
From Nigeria to a New Reality in London
Gbemi Adebayo, who relocated from Nigeria to the UK in 2024, shared her candid experience in a video posted online. Dressed for the cold British weather, she walked through London streets, revealing that her settlement journey was far from what she had envisioned. "I had an identity crisis because my experience settling down wasn't exactly as I imagined," Adebayo confessed, highlighting the emotional toll of the migration process.
She attributed her ability to navigate this difficult period to two key pillars: her unwavering faith in God and her established business. Before her move, Adebayo was the founder of Hegai and Esther Makeup Solution, a beauty brand she launched in 2012 in Ikeja, Nigeria. The company, which operates online selling cosmetics like eyeshadows, foundations, and lipsticks, became her lifeline abroad.
The Uphill Battle and a Message of Audacity
Reflecting on her progress, Adebayo was honest about the ongoing challenges. "I am not there yet. I am still fighting some demons. But I'm in a better place mentally," she stated. She saw her very act of recording the video as a testament to her journey, emphasizing, "I'm building me, I'm building beauty, I'm building a new life."
Her story resonates with a common experience noted by organizations like Global Partners, which states that immigrants often face significant hurdles in their first year in a new country. This adjustment period explains why many Nigerians initially struggle after moving overseas.
Adebayo directed a powerful message to fellow Nigerians contemplating major life changes, whether in business or relocation. "If you're building something, you will need a phase that looks like what you're building. You will need a phase that represents dreams, audacity. I fought this new phase and that's why I had that identity crisis," she advised, encouraging others to be bold.
Inspiring a Wave of Relocation Plans
Her decision to publicly state her age, 48, struck a deep chord with many Nigerians online, particularly older adults who fear they might be too old to start anew abroad. Her narrative has encouraged many to begin planning their own 'Japa' journeys.
Reactions on social media were swift and emotional. User @SammyLizzy commented, "Ah.. its encouraging seeing someone older... am 38 and someone told me I was aged to start planning on travelling out..." Another, @Juliet, wrote, "Meaning my sister is not too old to start over. My sister want to travel but my parents are saying she’s too old to travel."
@loveth shared a parallel experience: "I took the same risk as a mom who's also in her early 40s to relocate this year September and it has been a challenging one, settling, cultural shock... but I tell myself it better late than never..."
This trend of emigration, often driven by the search for greener pastures, has seen a significant exodus from Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Immigration Service, more than 3.6 million Nigerians migrated to other countries within a two-year period, leading to a notable loss of national talent.
The backdrop to these personal stories includes tightening immigration policies in destination countries like the UK, which has announced reforms to control migrant entry, strengthen English language requirements, and reduce post-study stay periods for international graduates.
Gbemi Adebayo's story, therefore, stands as a raw and authentic account of the complex reality behind the 'Japa' movement—a narrative not just of struggle, but of faith, business acumen, and the courage to rebuild one's identity in a new land.
