“We should build our home too,” Ridwan tells me over the phone. “Even if you travel far and wide, your home is still your home.”
Now pursuing his third master’s degree in Canada, Ridwan continues to push forward with determination and ambition. Over the years, his academic journey has taken him from Nigeria to South Korea and, eventually, to the bustling St. George’s campus in Canada. Along the way, he has learned to adapt, persevere, and stay connected to his roots. Beyond the textbooks, research papers, and endless scholarship applications, however, another story unfolds, one that reveals quiet responsibility, deep emotion, and the meaningful act of sending money abroad.
For Ridwan, every transfer carries a memory, a feeling, a reminder of where he comes from and who he’s responsible for. Read Ridwan’s story here:
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Ridwan. I’m doing my Master’s in Canada at the moment. Actually, this is my third Master’s degree. I studied in South Korea before coming here, but now I’m in St. George, Canada, studying computer engineering.
Do you remember the first time you ever sent money abroad?
Yes, that was back in 2016. After completing my undergraduate degree in Nigeria, I began applying to Canadian universities. At the time, I knew very little about international transfers, so I sent the money to my brother’s Naira account in Canada, and he handled the rest. He converted from naira to Canadian dollars. I was completely clueless at the time; I just trusted him to get it done.
What was the most memorable reason you’ve ever had to send money abroad?
Definitely applying for scholarships. That whole process was tough. I made so many applications, and at first, it truly felt like I was wasting my money. Each rejection made me wonder if all the effort was worth it. For a while, I thought, “All this money, gone, and nothing is working.” However, when one application finally clicked, the feeling changed completely. In that moment, it was like, “Wow, it actually pays off.” That was a big moment for me.
What’s the most difficult experience you’ve had sending money abroad?
That would be when I was in South Korea. My siblings and friends back home would ask me to buy gadgets and accessories for them. But converting money was a nightmare. I’d have to go from naira to dollars, then from dollars to Korean won. By the end, ₦2,000 could look like ₦5,000. They didn’t understand as they thought I was trying to cheat them. It caused trust issues sometimes, but really it was just the stress of multiple conversions.
For you, is sending money abroad an obligation or an act of love?
It’s definitely an act of love. Every time I get my paycheck, I think of my dad, my siblings, my wife.Although my mom passed away just two months ago (may her soul rest in peace), I’ve always found joy in giving. Even before her passing, supporting my family came naturally to me. Whenever people around me lacked something, I couldn’t stay comfortable knowing they were struggling. So, instead of keeping things for myself, I’d rather go without because, for me, helping them has always been more fulfilling. Sending money home makes me feel fulfilled. It’s part of who I am.
Can you share a story about sending money abroad that you think everyone should hear?
Yes, South Korea’s story. About 30 to 40 years ago, South Korea was underdeveloped. Many of their people went abroad, especially to Germany, where they worked hard and kept sending money back home. They built their country through those contributions. Look at South Korea today, a technology powerhouse.
I think Nigerians should learn from that. We travel for greener pastures, but we shouldn’t forget home. Even if you go far, home is still home. As we say in Yoruba, “Ilela busemiukwu”: No matter how far you go, your home is still your home. We should build our own too.
If you had to sum up your experience with sending money abroad in one word, what would it be?
“United.”
Any final thoughts on Yolat?
I’d say Yolat is a fast-growing giant. I’ve used it since the early days when it was just a website. My brother first introduced me to it. I compared it to other platforms, and Yolat beat them every time. Now, Yolat even has an app. From baby steps to baby strides, that’s how I’d describe it.
Every transfer, every conversion, every act of love across borders, they’re not just transactions. Like Ridwan says, they are threads pulling families, and maybe even nations, closer together.
If you want to feature on Yolat Money Story, send us a DM today and we’d be happy to schedule a call with you.
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