For many ambitious migrants, the path to becoming undocumented in a foreign country is rarely a deliberate choice. More often, it is the result of a slow, crushing financial squeeze. That was the reality for Jamyou Sanni, a Nigerian returnee from South Africa, who recently opened up about his ordeal during a conversation with Vanguard’s The Nigeria Metre Podcast . What began as a fully legal journey to build a better future eventually unraveled under the weight of business failures, soaring living costs, and the relentless pressure of keeping up with immigration paperwork.
When Sanni first landed in South Africa, he did everything by the book. He entered on a valid short-term visa and took immediate steps to secure proper documentation. Before his initial visa expired, he managed to enroll at Boston College, which enabled him to secure a two-year study permit. For a time, that permit gave him a legitimate foothold to live, study, and attempt to build a life without the threat of deportation hanging over his head.
Maintaining that legal status, however, quickly turned into an unbearable financial burden. The reality of daily life in South Africa proved far harsher than expected. Between paying rent—which ran upwards of 5,000 rand every month—stocking up on basic food items, and covering personal expenses, Sanni found his income rapidly draining. With tuition fees stacking up alongside his basic survival needs, he was forced to make a hard decision: walk away from his education just to keep a roof over his head.
Giving up his studies triggered an unavoidable chain reaction. Because he was no longer enrolled, Boston College could no longer support or sponsor his permit renewals. Once his existing papers expired, Sanni had no legal avenue left to extend his stay, leaving him stranded without valid documentation.
Addressing common assumptions about his situation, Sanni noted that he never intended to apply for permanent residency. His goal was simply to maintain temporary permits that would allow him to stay in the country lawfully for as long as possible. Yet, between the steep fees required just to lodge immigration applications and the high cost of living, keeping his paperwork up to date became mathematically impossible on a limited income. In the end, he had to prioritize daily survival over immigration compliance, marking the start of a difficult chapter that ultimately led to his return home.
