Philip was a marketing communications manager for a fintech company in Nigeria where he earned ₦300,000. Pooling this with his wife’s monthly pay of ₦400,000, they lived in a self-contained apartment that cost ₦300,000 annually.

A couple earning ₦700,000 in Nigeria in 2020 or 2021 could be said to be living comfortably. But Philip (and his wife) did not think so, because why earn ₦300,000 in Nigeria when you can earn £3,000 (~₦5.6 million) in the United Kingdom?

Many Nigerians in the UK have stories similar to Philip’s. Their move to the United Kingdom, which some Nigerians on social media have dubbed Nigeria’s 37th state, was motivated by the demand for better career opportunities and financial stability.

In fact, statistics show that 27,000 out of the 52,000 Nigerians who relocated to the UK in 2024 came on work-related visas. Even those who came on study visas still work, albeit for limited hours (20 hours per week).

So the question is: What makes the UK labour market so attractive to Nigerians? 

Green flag vs green pasture

For most Nigerians, the only thing green about Nigeria is the green stripes on its flag. The country has been stripped of the abundance of wealth those stripes represent.

So the logical option for the average person with the means is to japa from the land of corny metaphors and migrate to actual green pastures—one like the United Kingdom.

The UK’s labour market is highly functional. It has one of the highest employment rates in the world. OECD data show that the country has an employment rate of 75.3%, placing it ahead of countries such as the United States and France.

This figure represents a formal, regulated labour market, unlike Nigeria’s 73.2% which consists mostly of informal and insecure employment. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group adds perspective by noting that the formal sector in Nigeria accounts for only 7.0% of employment opportunities.

These figures show that the Nigerian labour market is already rigged against its workforce, making the UK market a natural attraction. The UK’s attractiveness is rooted in key factors such as clear career progression pathways, better working conditions, and a strong currency.

Clear career progression pathways

Amanda was an HR analyst in Nigeria earning ₦350,000/month. After the #EndSARS protest, she relocated to the UK.

Her first job in the UK was a talent manager role paying £2,800 monthly. Within two years, she was able to grow exponentially in the same company and began earning £4,500. This is the reality for many Nigerians in the UK workforce. 

The UK has structured and organised employment systems which provide workers with a clear path for progression. For instance, many UK industries have defined transparent pay bands that allow employees to know what to expect at each level or role.

Annual performance reviews provide feedback, goal-setting opportunities, and discussions for potential raises or promotions. 

In contrast, many Nigerian industries experience unpredictability in growth and employment conditions. Pay structures are often informal, with irregular income streams.

While annual performance reviews and structured promotion paths are present, they are only available within private organisations, large multinationals, or government jobs. Moreover, job descriptions can be vague or overlapping, making professional advancement unclear.

So while a UK nurse or teacher can expect incremental pay rises and promotions based on clearly communicated criteria, this is not the typical experience for many Nigerian workers.

Better working conditions

Workers in the UK enjoy benefits such as regulated work hours and strong employee protections that contribute significantly to workplace dignity and employee well-being. In Nigeria, these rights are often seen as luxuries rather than guaranteed entitlements. 

Regulated work hours in the UK prevent excessive overtime and unfair treatment. The reverse is the case in Nigeria where bosses bully employees into working overtime without compensation.

The Nigerian work scene is rife with stories of people, especially health workers, who have died during duty because they were overworked. A recent case was that of Dr Oluwafemi Rotifa who died after a 72-hour shift.

Such tragedies persist because Nigeria lacks strong employee protections. The UK, however, actively enforces these protections through bodies like the Employment Tribunal and Health & Safety Executive.

Stronger currency value

The British Pound (GBP) ranks as the 5th strongest currency in the world. This contrasts sharply with the Naira’s 143rd position. At the time of writing, £1 is approximately ₦1,910.

The high value of the British pound means that even entry-level staff can send meaningful support back home. OhentPay’s 2025 Remittance Report reveals that 65% of Nigerians in the UK earn between £15,000 – £50,000 annually, that is, £1,250 – £4,200 monthly. 

Jobs paying around the lower limit of £15,000 annually include retail cashier roles, part-time care assistants, and entry-level or part-time factory operatives. At the current exchange rate, this means a factory operative in the UK earns roughly ₦2.4 million per month—a huge jump from the approximately ₦50,000 monthly that a factory worker earns in Nigeria.

Every skill has an earning potential

Some comedians have joked that growing up, Nigerian parents recognised only four professions: doctor, lawyer, engineer, or disgrace of the family. This is because these parents believe that these jobs are prestigious and lucrative.

Though that has changed with the explosion of tech and social media, not every skill has a decent earning potential. 

In the UK, Nigerians pursue careers across multiple industries. The OhentPay Remittance survey cited healthcare (54.0%), logistics & retail (10.1%), technology & engineering (9.5%), and social care (6.0%) as the most popular industries among Nigerians.

Other industries include finance & professional services (4.3%), education & training (4.1%), and creative & other industries (1.7%). These results show that Nigerians are more concentrated in healthcare roles—they see the sector as a clear migration pathway that provides structured career paths and opportunities. 

While healthcare is the most popular, it is not necessarily the most lucrative. Technology & engineering, though only 9.5%, recorded the highest pay levels, with 10% of respondents earning over £125,000 annually. Creative industries follow at 9%, finance at 7%, education at 4%, and healthcare at 2%.  

As mentioned earlier, 65% of Nigerians in the UK earn between £15,000 – £50,000 annually, dominated by healthcare (72.3%), finance & professional services (71.4%), and education & training (63.0%).

When the salary ranges were narrowed down to professions, OhentPay discovered that 70% of full/part-time employees earn between £15,000 – £50,000. 33% of business owners and 29% of students also fall within this range.

However, students and those with disability benefits dominate earnings below £15,000, having a share of 77% and 100% respectively. Business owners (12%) and retirees (33%) are also found in this class.

This exposition about the UK job market isn’t fictional or fantastical or, as Nigerians say these days, “No be AI.” The market is simply functional. It is a place where effort translates into income, skills translate into opportunity, and careers have veritable pathways.

Nigerians are not moving because they love cold weather; they move because the numbers make sense and the career ladder is real. Whether you're earning £15,000 as a part-time care assistant or £125,000 as a backend developer, one thing is clear: the UK gives Nigerians room to breathe, grow, and build wealth with dignity. 

Also, when it comes to managing that money—sending it home, supporting family, or saving for the future—a platform like OhentPay makes the journey smoother.

Because what is the point of all the hustle if the money can’t reach home safely, quickly, and at great rates?

For Nigerians in the UK in 2025, the opportunities are many, the earning potential is real, and with the right tools, the financial future is even brighter.