Immigration to Canada promises many opportunities, but for many seasoned Nigerian professionals, the reality of professional life is tempered by subtle but persistent challenges, often referred to as “unconscious bias.”
This phenomenon, which immigrants describe as a form of sub-racial prejudice, forces black professionals to perform at significantly higher levels just to achieve parity with their non-immigrant colleagues.
Daniel, a Nigerian doctor practicing in Calgary, recently shared his insights, arguing that black immigrants start at a significant disadvantage in the Western job market.
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appearance and identity
Daniel recalls the advice he received when taking over his practice. Dr. Zabrowski kept saying to me, “Doctor, please bring me certificates from all over the world and put them on the wall.” I now understand what Dr. Zabrowski meant. ”
Daniel believes that the focus on proving one’s credentials is a direct response to the default level of suspicion.
“If you look different, people always question you. If you’re black, people always question you. Is he really a good doctor?” he said. He described how, even after prescribing medication, white patients would leave the clinic to ask the receptionist if their prescription was OK.
The doctor quantified this hurdle for black applicants: “As a black person in a Western country, you already have a minus 30 percent…If you’re going to go for an interview, you already have a minus 30 percent just by being black,” he said, adding that having an African name or a pronounced accent further lowers a person’s initial standing.
He emphasized that back professionals must compensate for this bias with impeccable attention to detail.
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The burden of exceptionalism
This “unconscious bias” forces black immigrants to work exponentially harder to succeed. Dr. Zoe likened the experience to a Nigerian proverb. “As a black person, you have to work three times as hard as a local to be here.”
He also shares personal experiences that highlight the systemic nature of this problem. Before immigrating to Canada, he had trouble securing interviews despite his qualifications. He went to his boss in Scotland, who looked at his CV and said: “Please remove the Nigerian part.”
“The moment I did that, I was doing about seven interviews a week,” he claimed.
For Ada, a Nigerian mother whose family recently moved to join her husband in Alberta, reality turned out to be less a bed of roses and more a series of unexpected struggles.
Her husband initially suggested that she stay at home to save money, but as household expenses rose, she was forced to look for a job.
“I can’t stress enough the number of emails I’ve sent over the past few months,” she said, detailing her struggles in the Canadian job market. “I sent out over 150 resumes, and to be honest, it wasn’t until about 100 that I started getting calls.”
What is the core issue? Canadian experience required.
She now advises newcomers to accept interim work to get their foot in the door, regardless of their previous profession.
“Don’t say this is not the role you do back home or because it’s humiliating. There’s nothing humiliating here. Look for interim work and start something,” she urged.
Navigate corporate and social spaces
Dr. Daniel urged black immigrants to “speak out loud about the accomplishments they accomplished before they came to this country” and criticized the “Help me, my brother” mentality that she believes leads to contempt.
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Dr. Daniel also advocated greater social integration outside of work, encouraging immigrants to participate in activities typically associated with wealth and influence: “Sign up for a golf course, a golf club, a hockey team and integrate.” The reason, she argues, is that if local residents aren’t used to seeing successful black people in these spaces, “unconscious bias will persist.”
Calgary: Comparison
Despite the challenges, Dr. Daniel suggested that the Canadian environment, particularly Calgary, is relatively welcoming compared to other Western regions where he has practiced.
“My city, Calgary, Canada, is, as far as I know, one of the best places in the world to practice,” he said, noting that while prejudice still exists, the city is “still making small steps compared to Europe and other places.”
