You are not the only one who has considered moving abroad in search of a better life. North America is a popular vacation for Nigerians, with Canada standing out as especially hospitable and diversified.
In the next three years, Canada intends to hire over a million foreign workers, according to recent announcements. The reason for this is the lack of workers in Canada’s many industries.
Canada’s ageing population is one of the factors making it a desirable option. Young professionals like you have a lot of job opportunities when older Canadians retire.
Furthermore, Canada is renowned for its top-notch towns and communities that are eager to accept immigrants and offer them an excellent standard of living.
There are many benefits to moving to Canada from Nigeria. For you and your family, Canada offers top-notch healthcare, top-notch education, and a secure environment.
The nation supports equal rights for all of its citizens and cherishes variety. In order to assist immigrants in settling and assimilating into Canadian society, it also provides a range of services and initiatives.
Furthermore, a variety of prosperous industries and sectors make up Canada’s robust economy. This indicates that skilled workers such as yourself have no shortage of job opportunities. Additionally alluring is the average pay in Canada, which enables you to give your family a better life.
1. Employment in Canada
Did you know that 35% of Nigerians want to find work outside of their country? Canada is a great place to find a job, especially in occupations that the government and provinces/territories need.
One area where there are many job openings is healthcare. In fact, eight out of 10 Nigerian doctors are looking for work outside of Nigeria. This is good news for skilled professionals who are seeking opportunities abroad.
Even if you don’t have a high level of education after secondary school, there are still many job options available for you in Canada. There are plenty of unskilled occupations that are eligible for immigration, so you don’t need to worry.
In Canada, the average yearly salary is $50,000. And if you have experience and expertise, you can earn as much as $300,000 in certain provinces. This shows that there are good earning potential and opportunities for financial growth in Canada.
2. Quality of Life in Canada
Living conditions in Nigeria can be challenging, with issues like frequent service interruptions and the need to pay for things like electricity out of your own pocket. That’s why as many as 35% of Nigerians are looking for ways to improve their living conditions by moving elsewhere.
In Canada, you will find more freedoms and civil liberties compared to Nigeria. For example, Canada recognizes same-sex marriage, which may not be the case in Nigeria.
When it comes to finances, your salary will go further in the Canadian economy. In smaller communities, you can find houses starting at $170,000, and even in major city centers, rent can be as low as $1,500. Considering the average salary mentioned earlier, you’ll have more opportunity to save money and build a higher standard of living for yourself and your family in Canada.
3. Education System
In Nigeria, only 6% of people have the opportunity to pursue education within the country. However, studying abroad in Canada is more accessible than you might think, especially with the assistance of international student bursaries and study visas available through various graduate visa programs.
In Canada, education is heavily subsidized and known for its high quality. This is in contrast to Nigeria, where a significant portion of youth may not have access to basic schooling. By choosing to study in Canada, you and your family can enjoy a stable and recognized primary education that opens up a world of opportunities for a brighter future.
4. Healthcare System in Canada
Nigerian hospitals often have poor conditions, which leads to qualified staff going on strike to demand better equipment and medicine supplies. It’s no surprise that many doctors are looking for work in other parts of Africa or even overseas.
In Canada, things are different. There is a system of free public healthcare, and there are no limits on accessing medication. The government takes care of vulnerable groups, like the elderly, as the population ages.
This makes a life-changing difference not only in the quality of healthcare you receive but also in preventing treatable diseases from occurring in the first place.
5. Personal Safety
Unfortunately, Nigeria is known internationally for having a weak police force due to the presence of crime and terrorist threats. This leaves citizens feeling unsafe, especially in less affluent neighborhoods in cities like Lagos.
In Canada, crime is not a major issue. Only 16% of residents have been affected by crime in some way. In fact, Canada is ranked as the 11th safest country in the world, according to Global Finance Magazine. This means that people can feel much safer living there.
Additionally, immigrants in Canada do not need to worry about xenophobia. Canada is known to be one of the most accepting countries towards foreign nationals globally, as stated in the World Happiness Report 2018.
Provincial Nominee Program
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to address more pointed labor market shortages within the provinces/territories themselves. Not all of the provinces offer a PNP and some of the streams are Express Entry linked which follows an additional process.
| Provincial Nominee Programs | |
|---|---|
| Province | Occupations |
| Alberta |
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| British Columbia |
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| Manitoba |
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| Saskatchewan |
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| New Brunswick |
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| Newfoundland & Labrador |
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| Prince Edward Island |
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| Nova Scotia |
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| Northwest Territories |
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| Ontario |
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| Yukon |
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Express Entry System
Canada’s Express Entry system was set up in 2015 to help skilled workers get through the immigration process quickly. It aims to fill job vacancies in the country’s economy that are lacking qualified workers.
There are three programs under Express Entry: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. These programs target different types of skilled workers.
To apply for one of these programs, candidates need to create an online profile using the Express Entry system. The profile is then given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which looks at different factors.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are entered into the Express Entry pool, where their profiles are compared with others. The highest-scoring profiles are then chosen in draws that happen approximately every two weeks. These selected candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The whole process can take as little as six months.
CRS Criteria Awards Points For:
- Age
- CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
- Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
- Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
- Arranged employment
- Provincial Nomination achieved
- Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
- Your spouse’s profile (if married)
