2026-02-24 · NextMigrate Team

Raising Kids in Nigeria vs. Canada: What Parents Who've Done Both Actually Say

The decision to move abroad is always personal. But it becomes a different kind of personal when you have children, or when you are about to. Suddenly it is not about your career trajectory or your salary. It is about the schools your children will attend, the hospitals that will treat them when they are sick, the streets they will walk on, and the identity they will grow up with.

We spoke with Nigerian parents who have raised children in Lagos and later moved to Canada — and with parents who made the move before their children were born. What they shared was more complicated than any immigration brochure would suggest. The advantages are real. So are the losses.

Education: The Numbers and the Reality

Nigeria

Let us start with what school looks like in Lagos for a middle-class family in 2026.

If you want a quality education, you are almost certainly paying for private school. The public school system in most Nigerian states is underfunded and overcrowded. Class sizes of 50-80 students are common. Infrastructure ranges from adequate to non-existent. Nigeria's Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) budget for 2024 was NGN 131 billion (~$85 million) for a country with over 40 million school-age children — roughly $2 per child per year.

Private school costs in Lagos:

School TierAnnual Fees (NGN)Approximate USDWhat You Get
Budget private school200,000 - 500,000$130 - $320Basic instruction, often overcrowded (40+ per class), limited facilities
Mid-tier private school1,000,000 - 3,000,000$650 - $1,940Reasonable class sizes (25-35), some labs and libraries, Nigerian curriculum
Premium private school (British/American curriculum)3,000,000 - 8,000,000$1,940 - $5,16020-25 per class, Cambridge IGCSE or AP curriculum, qualified teachers
Elite international school (e.g., AIS Lagos, ISL, LICS)8,000,000 - 15,000,000+$5,160 - $9,700+IB Diploma, expatriate teachers, full facilities, 15-20 per class

A family with two children at a decent mid-tier school is spending 2-6 million naira per year on school fees alone. That does not include uniforms (50,000-150,000 NGN per child), books and stationery (30,000-100,000 NGN), transport/school bus (200,000-500,000 NGN per child per year), extra lessons/tutorials (100,000-300,000 NGN per child), and the endless list of levies and charges that Nigerian parents know too well — "development levy," "ICT levy," "sports day levy," "excursion fee."

Total annual education cost per child at a mid-tier Lagos private school: 1.5-4.5 million NGN ($970-$2,900 USD).

The quality at mid-tier schools is genuinely uneven. Some are excellent, with dedicated teachers and strong academic results. Others are essentially businesses that prioritise revenue over education. Parents spend significant time and energy vetting and monitoring schools. Teacher turnover is high because private schools often pay teachers 40,000-80,000 NGN/month ($26-$52), which means qualified teachers leave for better-paying opportunities.

Canada

Public education in Canada is free from kindergarten through grade 12. Not "free with catches" — genuinely free. No tuition, no hidden fees. Books are provided. School buses are provided or subsidised.

Here is what "free" actually includes in a typical Ontario public school:

ItemCost to Parents
Tuition$0
Textbooks$0
School supplies (basic)$50-$100/year (pencils, notebooks — optional, school provides basics)
School bus$0 (within catchment area)
Hot lunch program$3-$5/day (optional; many families pack lunches)
Field trips$10-$30 per trip (2-4 per year)
Technology (Chromebook/iPad)$0 (provided by school)
Music instruments (band class)$200-$500/year rental (optional)
Before/after school care$200-$600/month (provincial subsidies available for low-income families)
Total annual cost$200-$1,500

The quality of Canadian public schools is consistently high by global standards. Canada ranks in the top 10 worldwide in the OECD's PISA assessments for reading, mathematics, and science. In the 2022 PISA results, Canada scored 497 in mathematics (11th globally), 507 in reading (6th), and 515 in science (6th). Nigeria does not participate in PISA. Class sizes are typically 20-28 students. Schools have libraries, gyms, science labs, computer labs, and guidance counsellors.

Every parent we spoke with mentioned the same thing: the relief. The sheer relief of not having to worry about whether they could afford the next term's fees. Of not having to calculate whether a third child would mean downgrading schools. Of knowing that their children would receive a quality education regardless of what happened to their income in a given year.

"In Lagos, education felt like a race I was always one paycheck away from losing," said one father who moved to Toronto with his family in 2023. "Here, my children go to a school I could not have afforded in Nigeria, and it costs nothing."

Private schools exist in Canada too, costing CAD 15,000-35,000 per year, but most families — including affluent ones — send their children to public school because the quality is high enough that private school is a luxury, not a necessity.

Education Cost Comparison: Two Children, Ages 6 and 10, Annual

ItemLagos (Mid-Tier Private)Lagos (Premium Private)Toronto (Public)Toronto (Private)
School feesNGN 4,000,000 ($2,580)NGN 12,000,000 ($7,740)$0CAD 40,000 ($29,200)
UniformsNGN 200,000 ($130)NGN 300,000 ($195)$100 (dress code, not uniform)CAD 500 ($365)
Books/suppliesNGN 150,000 ($97)NGN 200,000 ($130)$100CAD 300 ($220)
Transport/busNGN 600,000 ($390)NGN 800,000 ($520)$0CAD 2,000 ($1,460)
Extra lessonsNGN 400,000 ($260)NGN 0 (included)$0 (tutoring optional)$0
Levies/miscNGN 300,000 ($195)NGN 500,000 ($325)$200 (field trips)CAD 500 ($365)
Annual totalNGN 5,650,000 ($3,650)NGN 13,800,000 ($8,900)$400CAD 43,300 ($31,600)

The Lagos mid-tier private school costs $3,650/year but delivers education roughly comparable to Canadian public school, which costs $400. The Lagos premium private school at $8,900/year delivers education comparable to mid-range Canadian private school at $31,600 — but the Canadian public option is free and nearly as good.

Healthcare: What Happens When Your Child Gets Sick

This is the section that hits hardest for parents who have lived in both systems.

Nigeria

Nigeria's public healthcare system is, by most measures, in crisis. Government health expenditure was approximately 0.5% of GDP in 2024 — one of the lowest rates in the world. The WHO recommends a minimum of 5%. Public hospitals are overcrowded and undersupplied. There is approximately 1 doctor per 4,000 people in Nigeria, compared to the WHO recommended minimum of 1 per 1,000.

Most middle-class Nigerians use private hospitals, which provide better care but at significant cost.

Healthcare Cost Comparison: Nigeria vs. Canada

ServiceNigeria (Private Hospital)Canada (OHIP/Provincial Plan)
Family HMO insuranceNGN 500,000-1,500,000/yr ($325-$970)$0 (covered by provincial plan)
GP/family doctor visitNGN 10,000-30,000 ($6.50-$19.50)$0
Emergency room visitNGN 50,000-200,000 ($32-$130)$0
Paediatric specialist consultationNGN 30,000-100,000 ($19-$65)$0
Basic blood work (CBC, malaria)NGN 10,000-25,000 ($6.50-$16)$0
X-rayNGN 15,000-40,000 ($10-$26)$0
MRI scanNGN 150,000-350,000 ($97-$226)$0 (may wait 2-6 weeks for non-urgent)
Appendectomy (child)NGN 500,000-1,500,000 ($325-$970)$0
3-day hospital stay (child)NGN 300,000-800,000 ($195-$520)$0
Childhood vaccination (full course)NGN 50,000-150,000 ($32-$97) for private$0 (provincial immunisation program)
Annual dental checkup + cleaning (per child)NGN 30,000-80,000 ($19-$52)$0-$200 (covered by most employer plans; free for low-income via provincial programs)
Typical annual healthcare spend (family of 4)NGN 800,000-2,500,000 ($520-$1,615)$0-$500

Even with HMO insurance in Nigeria, you will encounter out-of-pocket costs — drugs that are not covered, specialists that are not in-network, lab tests that must be paid upfront and reimbursed later (if at all).

For serious conditions — childhood cancers, complex surgeries, congenital heart defects — the standard advice from many Nigerian doctors is blunt: go abroad. India, Turkey, the UK, or the US. Medical evacuation is not a fringe topic in Nigerian middle-class life. It is a routine part of contingency planning. Medical tourism spending by Nigerians was estimated at $1 billion annually by the Nigerian Medical Association in 2024.

One mother described the moment she decided to prioritise migration: "My son had a febrile seizure at 18 months. It was terrifying but ultimately not serious. But at the hospital, there was no paediatrician on call. The power went out twice while we were there. I sat in that waiting room and decided that I would never sit in that waiting room again."

Canada: How Provincial Healthcare Actually Works

Canada has universal healthcare. Every permanent resident and citizen has a provincial health card. Here is how the major provincial plans work:

ProvincePlan NameCoverage StartWhat's CoveredWhat's NOT Covered
OntarioOHIPAfter 3-month wait (covered by interim federal plan for new PRs)Doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, diagnostics, mental health, emergencyDental, vision, prescription drugs (covered for children under 25 via OHIP+)
British ColumbiaMSPImmediate for new PRsSame as OntarioDental, vision, prescriptions (Fair PharmaCare covers part)
AlbertaAHCIPAfter 3-month waitSame as OntarioDental, vision, prescriptions (children covered under Alberta Child Health Benefit)
QuebecRAMQImmediate for new PRsSame as Ontario + prescription drug planDental, some vision

OHIP+ (Ontario): Children and youth under 25 who are not covered by a private plan receive free prescription drug coverage. This includes antibiotics, asthma inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors, insulin, and ADHD medications. There is no deductible and no co-pay.

Paediatric care is world-class. Children's hospitals like SickKids in Toronto (ranked top 10 globally by Newsweek), BC Children's in Vancouver, and the Montreal Children's Hospital are among the best in the world. If your child is diagnosed with something serious, they receive the same standard of care regardless of your income.

There are legitimate complaints about the Canadian healthcare system — wait times for non-urgent specialist appointments can be 4-12 weeks, and some provinces face family doctor shortages (approximately 6.5 million Canadians did not have a family doctor in 2024). These are real issues. But for a parent coming from a system where access to quality care depends entirely on ability to pay, the difference is transformative.

UK and Germany Healthcare for Comparison

If you are considering the UK or Germany instead of Canada, here is how their systems compare for families:

FeatureCanada (Ontario)UK (NHS)Germany (Statutory)
Cost$0$0~EUR 400-500/month (income-based, covers whole family)
GP accessWalk-in clinics available; family doctor shortageRegistered with local GP; same-day urgent appointmentsChoose any GP; typically same-day or next-day
Specialist wait time4-12 weeks (non-urgent)4-18 weeks (18-week target)1-6 weeks
Children's prescriptionsFree (OHIP+, under 25)Free (all under 16, or under 19 in education)EUR 5-10 co-pay per prescription
Dental (children)Not covered (employer plans or provincial low-income programs)Free (all under 18)Free (all under 18)
Vision (children)Not covered (employer plans)Free eye tests + voucher for glasses (under 16)Free eye tests; glasses partially covered
VaccinationFree (provincial schedule)Free (NHS schedule)Free (STIKO schedule)

Safety: The Calculation Parents Make Every Day

This is the topic that Nigerian parents talk about in quiet voices, almost reluctantly, because it feels like an admission of defeat.

Safety Index Data

The Numbeo Safety Index (2025) rates cities on a scale of 0-100, where higher is safer:

CitySafety IndexCrime IndexNotes
Lagos26.473.6Ranked among bottom 15 globally
Abuja31.268.8Slightly better than Lagos
Port Harcourt22.877.2Lowest-rated major Nigerian city
Toronto55.844.2Average for major Canadian city
Ottawa62.337.7Above Canadian average
Calgary58.441.6Comparable to Toronto
Vancouver53.146.9Slightly below Canadian average due to property crime
London (UK)46.353.7Lower than Canadian cities
Berlin53.446.6Comparable to Vancouver
Melbourne57.242.8Comparable to Toronto

In many Nigerian cities, safety is a daily negotiation. You learn which routes to take and which to avoid. You learn what time to be home by. You learn to keep your car windows up and your phone out of sight. For parents, this calculus extends to their children — where they can play, whether they can walk to a friend's house, whether they can take public transport.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a pervasive fear, including in middle-class areas. SBM Intelligence reported over 7,000 kidnap victims in Nigeria in 2024. School security is a real and ongoing concern — many Lagos private schools employ armed guards, which is itself a marker of the environment. The mental load of keeping children safe in an environment where safety cannot be taken for granted is exhausting, and it compounds over years.

The hidden cost of insecurity in Nigeria:

Security ExpenseMonthly Cost (NGN)Annual (USD)
Estate/compound security levy20,000-50,000$155-$390
Car tracker subscription5,000-15,000$39-$116
Private school security levy10,000-30,000 (per child)$78-$233
Generator (fuel + maintenance for power outages)30,000-80,000$233-$620
Water supply (borehole or tanker)10,000-30,000$78-$233
Total annual "infrastructure tax"$583-$1,592

These costs do not exist in Canada. Electricity is reliable, water is safe from the tap, and security is a public good provided by taxes, not a private expense.

In Canada, children walk to school. They ride their bikes to the park. They play outside until the streetlights come on. This is not a fantasy — it is a daily reality in Canadian suburbs and even in most urban neighbourhoods. Crime exists, of course, but the baseline level of personal safety is fundamentally different.

"The first time my daughter walked to school by herself, I cried," one mother told us. "Not because I was scared. Because I was not scared. I had not felt that way in years."

The Cost Equation: Full Monthly Budget Comparison

Canada is more expensive than Nigeria in absolute terms. Housing is the biggest factor — a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto costs CAD 2,500-3,500 per month. Groceries cost more. Winter clothing is an expense that does not exist in Lagos.

But here is what the simple cost comparison misses: in Nigeria, you are paying for a private version of everything that Canada provides publicly. Private school, private healthcare, private security, private electricity (generators), private water supply. When you add up the cost of manufacturing a first-world life in Lagos from scratch, the gap narrows considerably.

Monthly Budget: Family of 4 (Two Children, Ages 5 and 9)

ExpenseLagos (Mid-Class)Lagos (Upper-Mid)TorontoCalgaryLondon (UK)
Rent (3BR)NGN 2.5M-5M/yr → 208K-417K/mo ($135-$270)NGN 5M-10M/yr → 417K-833K/mo ($270-$540)CAD 3,200 ($2,340)CAD 2,200 ($1,610)GBP 2,500 ($3,175)
GroceriesNGN 100K-200K ($65-$130)NGN 200K-400K ($130-$260)CAD 1,000 ($730)CAD 900 ($660)GBP 600 ($762)
School fees (2 kids)NGN 200K-500K ($130-$325)NGN 500K-1.3M ($325-$840)$0$0$0
HealthcareNGN 50K-125K ($32-$81)NGN 100K-200K ($65-$130)$0$0$0
TransportNGN 80K-150K ($52-$97)NGN 150K-300K ($97-$195)CAD 600 ($440)CAD 500 ($365)GBP 300 ($381)
Generator fuel/powerNGN 50K-100K ($32-$65)NGN 100K-200K ($65-$130)CAD 150 ($110)CAD 200 ($146)GBP 150 ($190)
Internet + phoneNGN 30K-60K ($19-$39)NGN 50K-100K ($32-$65)CAD 200 ($146)CAD 180 ($132)GBP 80 ($102)
SecurityNGN 25K-50K ($16-$32)NGN 50K-100K ($32-$65)$0$0$0
WaterNGN 15K-30K ($10-$19)NGN 20K-50K ($13-$32)CAD 80 ($58)CAD 70 ($51)GBP 40 ($51)
Domestic helpNGN 40K-80K ($26-$52)NGN 80K-150K ($52-$97)$0$0$0
Childcare (if needed)NGN 30K-60K ($19-$39)NGN 60K-120K ($39-$78)CAD 1,200 ($878)CAD 800 ($585)GBP 1,500 ($1,905)
Clothing/miscNGN 30K-50K ($19-$32)NGN 50K-100K ($32-$65)CAD 300 ($220)CAD 250 ($183)GBP 200 ($254)
Monthly total$555-$1,180$1,155-$2,500CAD 6,730 ($4,920)CAD 5,100 ($3,730)GBP 5,370 ($6,820)
Annual total$6,660-$14,160$13,860-$30,000$59,040$44,760$81,840

Now apply typical salaries:

Lagos (Tech Professional)Toronto (Tech Professional)Calgary (Tech Professional)
Typical gross salaryNGN 15M-25M ($9,700-$16,100)CAD 120,000-160,000 ($88-117K)CAD 110,000-140,000 ($80-102K)
After tax~NGN 12M-20M ($7,740-$12,900)~CAD 82,000-108,000 ($60-79K)~CAD 80,000-100,000 ($58-73K)
Annual living costs (family of 4)$6,660-$30,000$59,040$44,760
Net savings potential$0-$6,200 (upper-mid barely breaks even)$1,000-$20,000$13,000-$28,000

Key insight: A Nigerian tech professional in the upper-middle class in Lagos ($16,100 gross) has essentially zero savings after maintaining the private infrastructure required for a comfortable life. The same professional in Calgary, earning $102K, saves $13,000-$28,000 per year while receiving free education and healthcare. The Calgary option also comes with retirement benefits (CPP), employment insurance, and future citizenship.

A Nigerian tech professional earning 25M NGN in Lagos spends perhaps 40-50% of that creating a safe, educated, healthy environment for their children. A Canadian tech professional earning CAD 120,000 ($87,000 USD) spends perhaps 30-35% on equivalent needs, but the baseline quality is higher, and the public infrastructure handles much of what private spending covers in Nigeria.

Government Benefits Available in Canada for Families

Many Nigerian parents are surprised by the financial support available to families in Canada:

BenefitAmountEligibility
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)Up to CAD 7,787/year per child under 6; up to CAD 6,570/year per child 6-17All residents with children; income-tested (phases out above ~CAD 75,000 family income)
Ontario Child BenefitUp to CAD 1,509/year per childOntario residents; income-tested
GST/HST CreditCAD 340-680/year per familyLow-to-moderate income
Ontario Trillium BenefitVaries; up to CAD 1,600/yearLow-to-moderate income, Ontario residents
RESP (education savings)Government matches 20% of contributions, up to CAD 500/year per child (CAD 7,200 lifetime max)All residents; Canada Education Savings Grant

A family with two children under 6, earning CAD 80,000 combined, receives approximately CAD 10,000-12,000 per year in direct government child benefits. That is real, untaxed money deposited monthly into your bank account.

The Emotional Truth: What Nobody Warns You About

Every parent we spoke with said some version of the same thing: the material advantages of raising children in Canada are clear and undeniable. But the emotional complexity is real, and nobody talks about it enough.

Identity. Your children will grow up Canadian. They will have Nigerian names and Nigerian parents, but their cultural reference points, their slang, their friendships, their sense of humour — these will be shaped by Canada. This is not a tragedy, but it is a loss, and it is one that many parents do not fully reckon with until it has already happened.

Extended family. In Nigeria, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins are not just family — they are infrastructure. Emotional infrastructure, childcare infrastructure, cultural infrastructure. In Canada, you are largely on your own. Weekends that would have been spent at grandma's house become FaceTime calls that your toddler loses interest in after four minutes.

Third-culture kids. Children raised between two cultures often develop a unique resilience and adaptability. But they can also feel a sense of not fully belonging in either place. Too Canadian for Nigeria, too Nigerian for Canada. This is not universal, and many third-culture kids thrive. But it is a real phenomenon that parents should be prepared for.

The weather. This is not trivial. Canadian winters last 4-5 months. Temperatures in Toronto drop to -15°C to -25°C in January and February. Children need snow pants, winter boots, heavy jackets, toques, mittens, and layers. Outdoor play looks different. For children who grew up in 30°C+ heat year-round, the adjustment is real. Budget CAD 300-500 per child per winter season for proper outerwear.

Guilt. Some parents feel guilty about leaving — about the perception that they abandoned their country, about the distance from ageing parents, about the cousins their children will not grow up alongside. This guilt does not necessarily mean the decision was wrong. But it is present, and it is worth naming.

Practical Checklist: Preparing Children for the Move

For parents who have decided to relocate, here are the concrete steps other families found most useful:

  • School enrollment: Contact the local school board (Toronto District School Board, Calgary Board of Education, etc.) 2-3 months before arrival. Bring immunisation records, previous school transcripts/report cards, and proof of address. Children are placed based on age, not prior academic level.
  • Immunisation catch-up: Canada requires specific vaccinations for school entry. Ontario requires: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningococcal, varicella, and pertussis. Bring your child's vaccination records — any missing doses will need to be administered in Canada (free under provincial plan).
  • Health card application: Apply for provincial health cards immediately upon arrival. Ontario OHIP has a 3-month waiting period for new permanent residents (but the Interim Federal Health Program covers the gap). BC MSP starts immediately.
  • Winter gear: If arriving October-March, purchase winter clothing before or immediately upon arrival. Walmart and Canadian Tire have affordable children's winter gear (CAD 80-150 for a full set). Do not buy premium brands first — children outgrow sizes quickly.
  • Open an RESP: Within the first year of arrival, open a Registered Education Savings Plan at any Canadian bank. The government will contribute CAD 500/year per child through the Canada Education Savings Grant. Starting early maximises compound growth for university tuition.
  • Register for CCB: Apply for the Canada Child Benefit as part of your tax return. Benefits begin the month after your tax return is processed. This can take 2-3 months.
  • Library card: Get a free public library card for every family member. Canadian public libraries offer free books, DVDs, Wi-Fi, children's programs, homework help, and settlement services. Toronto Public Library has over 100 branches.

The Inflection Point

Most parents we spoke with identified a specific moment — an inflection point — when the decision crystallised. For some, it was a health scare. For others, it was a school fee increase they could not absorb. For many, it was looking at their child and thinking about the next 15 years, running the numbers, and realising that the trajectory was not moving in the right direction.

The 15-year cost of raising two children:

Expense CategoryLagos (Upper-Mid Private Infrastructure)Toronto (Public Infrastructure)
Education (K-12, 2 children)$40,000-$95,000$3,000-$10,000 (supplies, field trips, activities)
Healthcare (family of 4)$8,000-$25,000$0-$5,000 (dental/vision not covered, employer plans help)
Security + infrastructure$9,000-$24,000$0
Generator + fuel$4,000-$10,000$0
University (2 children, 4 years each)$10,000-$40,000 (Nigerian university) or $80,000-$200,000 (abroad)CAD 48,000-$96,000 (Canadian university, domestic tuition)
15-year total (extra costs)$71,000-$394,000$51,000-$111,000

In Nigeria, the upper end of that range assumes sending children abroad for university — which is exactly what many upper-middle-class Nigerian parents do, at enormous cost. In Canada, your children attend Canadian universities at domestic tuition rates (CAD 6,000-12,000/year), which can be partially funded by 18 years of RESP contributions and government grants.

If you are at that inflection point — if you are a new parent or soon-to-be parent and you have started doing the mental arithmetic on what the next decade looks like — it might be worth understanding what your options are. Not to make a decision today. Just to know what is available, what it would cost, and what the timeline looks like.

If that sounds useful, we can help you map it out. No pressure, no timeline. Just a clear picture of the paths that are open to you and your family.