Uprising Interview: From Nigeria to Finland- A Journey of Becoming (Conversations With Mr Yomi Emmanuel)

 Mr Yomi Emmanuel took the Uprising Platform on a journey of a lifetime. A narration that embodies the struggles of the everyday person- it encompasses disappointment, rejection, and pain, and also, the flipside of everything- happiness, success, and achieving the objective of one's life.

In this interview, Mr Yomi explained to us how he was able to attain prominence in his field, havingn't left Nigeria for the cold world of Finland before it became 'cool' to japa, and it became the life mission of the average young person on the streets of the most populous black nation. In this narrative, it is pivotal for readers to turn off the lights in their rooms so that they can assimilate the narrative and internalize the lessons in the story.

This is an eye-opening session designed to help those who want to abscond from Nigeria prepare for the journey ahead. Let this story inspire you, walk with us...

From Nigeria to Finland: A Journey of Becoming

Mr Yomi Emmanuel

I am Oluyomi AbdulAzeez Emmanuel, born in Lagos, Nigeria, as the second of three children. I grew up in the Oshodi suburb of the city, in a close-knit, multigenerational household where storytelling, education, and being street-smart were a part of everyday life.

From a young age, I was a shy and quiet observer, always trying to make sense of the world around me. Over time, I noticed the strong correlation between the choices people in my neighborhood made and where they eventually ended up in life. These observations, along with my parents' constant advice, helped keep me grounded and focused. I learned early on to tune out negative influences and stay committed to whatever I set out to achieve.

One of the most defining moments of my life was gaining admission to the University of Ilorin at the age of 17 and relocating to live alone in Kwara State. It was disorienting, exciting, and overwhelming all at once. That experience taught me how to adapt, listen, and find beauty in cultural differences. It sparked my curiosity and empathy for people from all walks of life and set the stage for what was to come later in life.

I value kindness, self-awareness, humility, and creativity. I try to live those values by being present with people, stepping outside my comfort zone, and embracing whatever wins or lessons come from those experiences.

These days, I spend time with my kids, meet new people, and pursue ambitious business ideas with close friends. I’m constantly learning, unlearning, and growing, and I believe our stories, no matter how ordinary they may seem, can be powerful tools to inspire and connect with others.

ALSO READ: THE UPRISING PLATFORM: OBJECTIVE AND DOCUMENTATION

The Unexpected Turn

A few weeks before my second-year exams as an Economics undergraduate, I received a call from my dad. He told me he had applied to some schools in Europe on my behalf, and that I needed to travel to Accra, Ghana, to sit for an entrance exam into one of the schools in Finland.

At first, I was confused and unsure; we had never discussed the possibility of me studying abroad, and I had never seen myself in that kind of space. But I went ahead and wrote the exam. A few months later, just as my third-year semester began at the University of Ilorin, I got a call: I had been accepted into a University of Applied Sciences in Finland.

The Move to Finland

I moved to Finland in 2008 to study International Business at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, in a small city in western Finland. I was excited, but completely unaware of how much my life was about to change.

Nothing prepared me for the silence, the snow, or the solitude. Coming from one of the noisiest and most densely populated parts of Lagos, the quietness was deafening. In Finland, people give you space, lots of it! The first winter was particularly hard. The days were short, the nights were long, and I felt like my identity was suspended between two worlds.

But slowly, I began to build a life. I learned to appreciate the quiet. I made friends at the university, in the student village, and through a wonderful local initiative called "Get Yourself a Finnish Parent." I discovered Finnish saunas, the beauty of trust in society, and the strange joy of seeing the sun again after weeks of darkness. I even paused my formal studies for a year to focus on full-time Finnish language education.

The Job Struggle

Getting a job as a student in Finland is one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced. In fact, getting a job at all as a brown-skinned immigrant in Finland is incredibly tough. We are, unfortunately, some of the most disregarded and disrespected people in the country’s job market.

It took me almost nine months to get my first job as a cleaner. I was extremely grateful for it because it made my life much easier as a student. Before that, I survived by picking bottles from the streets to recycle for money. At that time, online job applications were still a new concept for many employers, especially in the service industry. This meant I had to walk from one place to another after lectures, and sometimes in between them, handing out my CV in person.

Over the following years, I worked various jobs—cleaner, dishwasher, in supermarkets, offices, schools, daycare centers, and hotels—all while studying and applying for roles in my field with no success.

Pivot and Breakthrough

Still, I never gave up. I kept learning, acquiring new skills, and adapting. I worked in construction as a painter. I enrolled in welding school and worked in the metal industry as a welder and machinist.

My breakthrough came when I reached out to a popular Nigerian artist living in the U.S. for mentorship on breaking into the tech field. After completing his 4-week training program on becoming a Scrum Master and applying his practical advice, I began applying to tech companies in Finland and abroad.

Within six months, I landed my first role as a Scrum Master in the fintech industry. It was a huge moment. Before that, I had seriously considered relocating to Canada, as many of my friends had done in recent years. This new opportunity changed the trajectory of my life in Finland.

Where I Am Today

The journey hasn’t been linear. I’ve faced loneliness, identity crises, and even moments of regret. But I’ve also grown. Finland taught me how to be self-reliant and reflective. Nigeria gave me community and grit; Finland gave me stillness and structure.

Today, I work as an Agile Team Coach at Finland’s largest energy and electricity company. I carry both countries within me.

My story is still unfolding, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: migration isn’t just a physical journey, it’s a deep internal shift.

To anyone thinking of starting over somewhere new: be patient with yourself. You’re not just crossing borders; you’re becoming.