Motherhood Made Me Leave Nigeria for Canada: Ifeoma’s Journey From Agro Marketing to Paid Ads in Canada

Ifeoma's journey began in Nigerian fields, not literally, but in the world of agrochemical marketing. With an academic background in Economics and a career rooted in both traditional and digital marketing, she spent seven years working with Saro, one of Nigeria’s largest agrochemical companies. Her work spanned radio jingles for farmers in rural areas to billboard placements for urban traders, a balancing act between two vastly different audiences.

But after nearly a decade of building her career in Nigeria, Ifeoma made the bold decision to move to Canada. It wasn’t just a career choice. It was a family decision.

The Moment Everything Changed

While many of her friends left after the 2020 End SARS protests, Ifeoma stayed, until motherhood changed everything.

“Pregnancy in Nigeria made me realize I didn’t want my child to go through what I had gone through,” she explains. “There was no electricity. I was heavily pregnant, always hot, and there were days the generator broke down. I remember thinking: if I can move, I have to move.”

Six months after giving birth in December 2023, she and her husband packed up and relocated to Canada.

From Broad to Specialized

Landing in Canada, Ifeoma quickly noticed a stark difference in the job market.

“In Nigeria, I was a generalist, doing everything from radio to digital. But here, the roles were niche. I saw titles like Email Marketing Manager, Paid Media Strategist, Google Ads Specialist. So I decided to narrow my focus.”

She secured a role as a Google Ads Specialist at a marketing agency, and later transitioned into a dual role managing both Google and social media ads for a new firm.

The Cold, Quiet Shock of Canada

The cultural differences were instant and unexpected.

“The biggest shock was how quiet everywhere was. I didn’t even meet my neighbours for months. In Nigeria, we know each other, we greet each other. Here, it’s just silence.”

And then, of course, there was the cold.

“I once waited 30 minutes for a bus in the middle of winter after work. My fingers were frozen, my boots didn’t help, my whole body was numb. I remember thinking, who sent me?”

But not all shocks were negative. One of her happiest discoveries was the library system.

“I love reading, and here, the library is incredible. You can find any book and if it’s not available, you can request it, and they’ll try to buy it.”

Family, Finances, and Faith

Ifeoma and her husband had been disciplined savers long before relocation was in the picture. They built a joint savings culture that gave them financial stability when the opportunity to leave arose.

“We didn’t even know we were saving to move, but when the time came, the money was there.”

Still, adjusting financially in Canada has been challenging.

“In Nigeria, I could save a large portion of my income. Here, daycare, bills, and other responsibilities eat into everything. I save, but not like before. The solution? I need to earn more.”

She continues to support family in Nigeria, sending money regularly through remittance apps like Zole, although finding the best exchange rate is a full-time job in itself.

“I have like five apps on my phone. I open all of them to compare rates before sending. It's stressful but necessary.”

Advice for the Journey

When asked what advice she’d give anyone trying to move to Canada, Ifeoma doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“Start applying for jobs the moment you get your visa. The job market is competitive, immigrants and locals are all experienced. You need to stand out. Get certifications, learn as much as you can, and just keep applying.”

Their own immigration process through the agricultural category under Express Entry was smoother than most. But it only happened because of a friend’s recommendation.

“If he hadn’t told us, we’d still be in Nigeria. Information is everything.”

What Keeps Her Going

On the hardest days, when the cold bites and homesickness creeps in, Ifeoma looks at her daughter and reminds herself why she made the move.

“She’s thriving here. She’s happy. That’s what matters. Maybe we’ll go back someday, but for now, we stay for her.”

Looking Ahead

Though she hints at a personal project in the works, Ifeoma is not quite ready to reveal it publicly. “It’s still in the early stages,” she says. But she’s excited for what’s to come and open to opportunities.

Bio 

Ifeoma is a Paid Ads Strategist based in Canada, with experience spanning digital strategy for agro companies in Nigeria to managing high-performance Google and social media ads for clients across industries in North America. She’s passionate about learning, storytelling through data, and helping businesses grow through targeted digital campaigns.

If you’d like to reach out to work with Ifeoma, you can contact her via email at molunavanessa@gmail.com