As we celebrate Black History Month, I've been reflecting on what it means to be Black,
Nigerian and an international student in a country that has become a new chapter of my story.
If there's one thing moving to the UK has taught me, it's that you can leave your country without leaving your identity behind.
I'm still the same Nigerian girl who's incredibly proud of her Yoruba heritage. In fact, I always joke that if I wasn’t Yoruba, I’d probably be jealous of Yoruba people! Since moving to the UK in December 2025 to pursue my master's in Digital Marketing at the University of Salford, I've discovered there's so much more to my identity than where I come from or the degree I'm studying for.
I've learnt to appreciate my roots differently, embrace new cultures and, most importantly, understand the value of my own voice.
As we celebrate Black History Month, I've been reflecting on what it means to be Black, Nigerian and an international student in a country that has become a new chapter of my story.
A Little Piece of Home, Wherever I Go
One of the things I love most about Nigeria is our sense of community. You don't necessarily need to be related to someone before they become family. There's a beautiful understanding that your child is our child.
Coming to the UK, I realised that community can look quite different. But I've also learnt that kindness doesn't belong to one race, nationality or culture.
One of my favourite things about studying at Salford has been meeting people from different parts of the world. I remember asking my Kenyan friends to bring food from Kenya while I brought Nigerian food. We tasted each other's meals, shared stories and learnt about our cultures.
It's funny how something as simple as sharing a meal can teach you so much about the world. University isn't just about lectures and assignments. Sometimes, it's about the friendships you build and the people who make a new country feel a little more like home.
Finding My Voice, One Story at a Time
I've always enjoyed storytelling, but sharing my journey as an international student has given it a whole new meaning.
When I started documenting my experiences, I didn't realise how much people would connect with them. Sometimes, the videos I think are too ordinary end up being the ones people relate to the most. It's taught me that you never really know who needs your story until you share it.
One of my most memorable experiences was when a student approached me at the university and told me that my TikTok videos had influenced her decision to choose Salford. I was genuinely surprised.
Other students have recognised me around campus and told me how helpful my content has been. Some connect with my experiences, while others appreciate seeing a plus-size Black woman confidently putting herself out there.
The interesting thing is that I'm simply being myself. But that's what makes representation so powerful. Sometimes, without even realising it, you're giving someone else the confidence to show up as themselves too.
I also organised a free airport pickup giveaway for incoming international students. Being able to welcome people into a country I had once arrived in myself reminded me of the sense of community I grew up with in Nigeria.
Finding my voice isn't just about having something to say. It's about using what I have, however small it might seem, to make someone else's journey a little easier.
Black History Is Also About the Stories We're Creating Today
When I think about Black History Month, I think about celebrating our culture, recognising achievements and amplifying Black voices. Our history matters, but Black history is also being written every day through the lives, ambitions and contributions of ordinary people.
For me, one of those people is my father. Growing up, his watchword was, "Be!" and we would respond, "Focused!" It's a simple exchange, but its message has stayed with me. His ambition and determination remind me that you can enter unfamiliar spaces and pursue opportunities without losing your identity.
It's encouraging to see Nigerian students taking on leadership positions within Salford Students' Union. Representation matters because it reminds other students that they too can lead, contribute and make a difference.
Black international students may sometimes appear quiet in unfamiliar environments, but that doesn't mean we lack intelligence, ideas or ambition. We have so much to offer, and I hope universities continue creating opportunities for our voices to be heard, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year.
More Than Surviving, I Want to Live
Studying abroad comes with responsibilities, financial pressures and moments when everything feels overwhelming. But I didn't come to the UK simply to survive. I came to study, grow, explore opportunities and build a future I'm excited about.
I've become more confident in my independence and discovered opportunities to network, volunteer and develop myself.
I want other international students, especially Black students, to know that their journeys don't have to look like anyone else's. You don't have to limit your dreams to what everyone around you is doing. You're allowed to want something different and dream bigger.
And while you're working towards those dreams, please don't forget to actually live. Make friends, try new food, explore your surroundings, document your memories and rest when you need to.
Your Voice Matters, Wherever You Are
If I could say one thing to a Black international student struggling to find their place, it would be this: stay connected to your roots, but give yourself permission to grow beyond what you've always known. And never underestimate the value of your own story.
Moving to the UK hasn't made me any less Nigerian or any less proud of being a Yoruba girl. Instead, it's given me new ways to appreciate where I come from while discovering who I'm becoming.
Black history isn't only about where we've been. It's also about where we're going, the spaces we're entering and the stories we're brave enough to tell.
Your experiences matter. Your dreams matter. And your voice matters.
I'm still learning, still growing, still dreaming and still discovering the person I'm becoming. I'm more than an international student, and my story is only just beginning.