Life in Canada: Nigerian Woman Secures Job, Love, and Stability in 2027

Cynthia Ima-Osagie says faith and volunteering carried her through immigration troubles and loneliness – she hopes other newcomers see that difficult times can lead to happiness

Cynthia Ima-Osagie’s story is one of resilience, community, love and faith.

A native of Nigeria, she arrived in Sault Ste. Marie on Sept. 7, 2023 on a study visa, hoping for permanent residency and a new life in Canada.

“Like a lot of other newcomers, the road to permanent residency wasn’t easy,” Ima-Osagie told SooToday.

After months of searching for work, she landed a job on her birthday in July, 2024.

Just four weeks later, her world turned upside down.

“I received an email from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada informing me I had lost my student status because my Nigerian passport had expired, even after I had already applied and paid for renewal more than six months earlier,” Ima-Osagie said.

“I was devastated.”

She lost her job and had to endure several appeals to IRCC.

“I went to Ottawa, obtained my new Nigerian passport, paid all the fees, and waited,” Ima-Osagie said.

She received good, life-changing news in December 2024.

“My permanent residency was approved. What felt like the darkest season of my life suddenly gave way to hope.”

From that dark period, more joy emerged.

“During that time of unemployment and uncertainty, I struggled emotionally. I had no family here and often felt isolated so I joined a dating app. I wasn’t expecting much. I was just hoping for companionship,” Ima-Osagie said.

One message she received through the dating app stood out.

“A man who shared my faith and values reached out. As a deeply religious person, that connection mattered to me.”

Exactly one year after she arrived in the Sault, she began dating a local man, Jonathan Davies.

The couple married at City Bible Church on Feb. 28.

“My faith kept me going. I just felt there is a meaning to all this,” Ima-Osagie said.

“I just want to encourage other immigrants who may be struggling with relocation, uncertainty, or loneliness. Sometimes, the place that challenges you the most is also the place that changes your life forever.”

After graduating from Sault College’s one-year Health Care Administration program in 2024, Ima-Osagie is currently employed as a Sault Area Hospital pharmacy assistant.

Having worked as a pharmacist in her native Nigeria, she’s looking forward to writing her exams in order to work as a pharmacist in Canada in May.

Ima-Osagie believes in giving back and is highly involved in volunteer work in the Sault.

She devotes her spare time as a volunteer for Sault Area Hospital, the Sault Ste. Marie and Area Local Immigration Partnership, the Sault Steelers board, the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign and Algoma University’s Research Ethics Board.

“I had to create a space for myself,” Ima-Osagie said.

“I started volunteering when I was going through my immigration difficulties. I’m a very happy person and I didn’t want anything to kill my joy so I set out to make other people happy and just spread love.

“I can do that through volunteering for the community.”

Having made it through many challenges since arriving in the Sault, has she adjusted to Canada’s harsh winters?

“I’m getting used to it,” she said with a laugh.