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• Our leaders send their kids to US, UK, Canada, but they want others to stay and build Nigeria
Taiwo and Kehinde Olalere are two foremost Canadian Immigration lawyers based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The story of the Nigerian-born identical twins exemplifies those of other highly successful Canadian citizens that began with out-migration from their foreign origins and rising to the commanding heights of the North American’s society.
From young, struggling professionals about 15 years ago, the duo has built a strong, thriving immigration law firm, The Olalere Law Office, reputed for handling complex immigration cases, with a TikTok account, that has close to 38,000 followers and YouTube channel of about 30,000 followers.
In this conversation, the twins shared their views about the experiences and challenges immigrants face living, integrating and succeeding in the country with YEMI BANKOLE.
Canada has traditionally been seen as a country that is open to immigrants and foreigners. However, in recent times, there have been signs of anti-immigrant sentiments in some quarters. For instance, a group in Quebec recently demonstrated in support of what they described as a “white-only Quebec,” which some have interpreted as having racist undertones. What’s your take?
Over the last few years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing anti-immigration sentiment across many parts of the world, whether in the United States, Europe, or Canada. A lot of people lost their jobs during that period. Many are struggling with the rising cost of living, housing shortages, inflation, and economic uncertainty. In that kind of environment, some right-wing groups and politicians have gained prominence by blaming immigrants for these challenges. For example, President Trump has spoken about what he describes as an “invasion” of immigrants and has made comments linking immigrants to crime and other social problems. That type of rhetoric has spread beyond the United States and found its way into countries like Canada and across Europe. At the same time, some politicians have made mistakes in planning for population growth. If a country admits large numbers of people without ensuring there is adequate infrastructure, housing, and public services to support them, competition for those resources increases. Housing shortages worsen, and rents go up. Those issues are the result of poor planning by governments and policymakers, not the fault of immigrants. Immigrants have made enormous contributions to countries like Canada and the United States. If you look at many of the leading companies in North America, a significant number were founded, co-founded, or are led by immigrants or the children of immigrants. Immigrants are contributors to society. They help build economies, create businesses, and strengthen communities. So, while there is clearly an anti-immigration current in some parts of the world today, it is important not to lose sight of the immense contributions immigrants continue to make to countries like Canada and the United States. Aside from that, such sentiment doesn’t represent the view and values of the Canadian society? No. Canadians are generally open-minded, welcoming, and accommodating people. They are willing to share and willing to receive others. The challenge is that a vocal minority, particularly on the right, can gain significant attention on social media and create the impression that their views represent the majority of Canadians when they do not. That is why there are safeguards within the court system and within the society itself to ensure that Canada does not become a place where certain groups, particularly minorities, feel unwelcome or unable to live freely in a country they have made their own. It is, of course, also important for political actors to be careful about the messages they communicate. Some political figures, such as Donald Trump and his deputy, J.D. Vance, have, in my view, validated some of these extremist sentiments. For example, following a stabbing incident in the United Kingdom, J.D. Vance suggested that such events were the result of Britain allowing too many immigrants into the country and into Europe. However, it later emerged that the person accused of committing the crime was British-born. Political leaders must be careful not to feed narratives that unfairly blame immigrants for societal problems. They should also avoid empowering a small group of extremists to become more comfortable expressing those views.
What do intending immigrants need to navigate such environment and survive in Canada?
The first thing is mindset. Anyone coming into a new country must be open-minded. You cannot assume that the way things are done in your home country is the same way they will be done in Canada. If you hold on rigidly to that mindset, it becomes difficult to integrate into Canadian society. Secondly, you must learn as much as possible about the country you are moving to. Read, research, and seek information. Many people are losing the habit of reading, but without information, you cannot make informed decisions. Information is power, and it helps with proper integration. Thirdly, we often talk about what we call the “newcomer syndrome.” This is when someone just arrives in Canada but feels they already know everything. That mindset can be dangerous because, in reality, you are still new and still learning. On average, it takes about five years for an immigrant to properly integrate into Canadian society, and even then, it may take longer in some cases. The only way to integrate effectively is to actively seek information, ask questions, and get a mentor who can guide you on how things work. You should also be willing to learn new skills or adjust your qualifications where necessary to fit into the job market. Adaptability is very important. I always say there are short-term goals and long-term goals. Short-term goals help you survive while you work toward your long-term plans. For example, if you are a nurse from Nigeria, it may take time to get licensed in Canada because you will need credential assessments and licensing exams. In the meantime, you can work as a personal support worker or nursing aide to gain experience, access the healthcare system, and understand the work culture while pursuing your professional licensing.
Mentorship is also very important. A mentor can help you understand community resources, cultural expectations, and how things are done, based on their own experience. This kind of guidance is very valuable for integration. Another important point is not comparing yourself with others. Some people measure their success based on what others have achieved, and that can lead to mistakes. Everyone’s journey is different, and focusing too much on others can create unnecessary pressure. Credit history is also critical in Canada and North America. For example, if you want to buy a house, you need a strong credit history before a bank can lend you money. Using a credit card responsibly—by paying at least the minimum amount on or before the due date—helps build that credit history. If you fail to do so, it affects your credit report and reduces your chances of accessing loans in the future. Access to credit is very important in Canada. Without it, it becomes difficult to make major financial decisions such as buying a home. Finally, job searching today is easier because of the internet. There are many job platforms available online. We also have educational content on our YouTube channel where we explain how to look for jobs in Canada and discuss immigration programmes. While we do not find jobs for people, we believe information is power, and having the right information can make a significant difference.
Global demand for professional expertise, skilled workers and intellectuals, have seen incessant exodus of many qualified Nigerians and nationals of other countries in the global south to the western advanced countries. As a Nigerian-Canadian, have you given thought to the implication of this trend of out-migration on the development of these poor societies?
First of all, I see myself as both Canadian and Nigerian. Those are the two identities I have learned to balance. I am Nigerian, and I am Canadian. I don’t choose one over the other; I associate with both and I am able to navigate both cultures and succeed in both environments. When it comes to skills migration, I think many skilled people leave Nigeria and Africa because they are searching for greener pastures, largely due to systemic challenges at home. For many, it becomes a difficult choice: do I remain in a system that is not working for me, or do I move somewhere else in search of better opportunities—not just for myself, but for my future and my family? Not everyone wants to leave Nigeria, but in many cases, factors such as insecurity, corruption, and lack of opportunity make it difficult for people to reach their full potential. That is what pushes many to consider leaving. People often ask why they cannot stay and try to fix the system, and yes, some do stay and try. But over time, it becomes increasingly difficult to hold on to that hope. I remember being told as a young person that we were “the leaders of tomorrow,” and I believed it. My father also believed in that idea, which is why after studying abroad, he returned to Nigeria in the 1970s. He was offered three jobs in Nigeria, and the government even paid for his return, including his travel and luggage. At that time, Nigeria was still seen as very promising. Even in the 1980s, things were relatively hopeful. However, by the 1990s, things began to decline significantly, particularly during the Babangida era. The country became unstable, and the June 12 crisis further deepened the political tension. When MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, there was hope that Nigeria was finally moving towards democracy. It was a free and fair election. However, when the result was annulled, we left Nigeria just four days later. My father decided immediately that we could not remain in the country. The original plan had been to complete a first degree in Nigeria and then leave, but after the annulment, that plan changed completely. So, we relocated, and that was the end of that chapter. Has Nigeria improved significantly since the 1990s? In my view, no. Even my father eventually left again. By November 1994, he had left Nigeria because the political environment had become increasingly hostile, and people like him were being targeted.
Where do we place the blame for this situation?
The leadership. The leadership has failed Nigeria, and continues to fail Nigeria. They send their own children abroad – the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to study. Yet they expect others to remain and build the country. The question I would ask them, if they were in front of me, is: why can’t their children stay in Nigeria, study there, and help build the country they say is so good? If they cannot answer that question, then I do not think they have an answer at all. If Nigeria is truly as good as they claim, why are their children not studying here, but instead in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada?
So how do we help countries in that kind of dilemma?
They need to give young people a chance to take up leadership positions. The youth understand what they need. Not leaders who are 77 years old or in their 80s, who are stuck in the past and may not even know how to use email or understand what AI is. What we need is for young people to be given the opportunity to lead, so they can actively participate in rebuilding the country. We need a rebuild. We need a total shift in thinking to move the country forward from the past. We need leaders who do not see leadership as a right or inheritance. Babangida said many years ago, the youth are not ready, but I believe the opposite is what is needed now: youth must be given the chance to prove themselves.
