Life in the diaspora: British weather and the Nigerian struggle with cold – The short winter days add another layer to the struggle. You wake up in darkness, go to work in grey daylight, and return home in darkness again. For a people accustomed to bright sunshine most of the year, this change can be emotionally draining. The lack of light makes the days feel shorter, the nights longer, and life strangely quieter. Many Nigerians say their first winter taught them mental strength in ways they never expected. You begin to measure time differently and discover the importance of warm lighting, indoor hobbies, and hot chocolate.
A winter landscape in the UK
By Mary Opii
Nothing prepares an immigrant, especially a Nigerian for British weather; not Google searches, not advice from friends abroad, not even the warnings from those already living in the United Kingdom. You simply have to experience it to understand the full shock. The United Kingdom has a reputation for unpredictable weather, but until you step into it yourself, you cannot grasp how quickly the day can change from sunshine to rainfall, and from warm to bitter cold in a matter of minutes.
For many of us, the first winter is the ultimate test. Nigerians grow up in a climate where cold weather means light showers and cloudy days, not temperatures that bite through jackets, gloves, and even your confidence. The moment you step out into the freezing morning air for the first time, you instinctively ask yourself, “Who sent me here oooh?” Your breath turns white, your fingers go numb, and your ears sting as if the cold has a personal grievance against you.
I still remember one early morning when I stepped out thinking my heavy sweater would be enough. The cold hit me so hard that I ran back inside and layered up like I was preparing for a journey to Antarctica. It takes a while to understand that in the UK, dressing for the weather is a skill. You learn about base layers, thermal clothing and socks, scarves, winter hats, and how to strategically choose clothing that traps heat rather than simply looking fashionable.
Life in the diaspora: Snowy winter
Then there is the rain; endless, persistent, and unbothered by your schedule. In Nigeria, when it rains heavily, many people wait it out or simply avoid going out. Here, you must keep moving. Rain in the UK does not always fall; sometimes it mists, drizzles, sprays, or simply hangs in the air like a stubborn visitor. You carry an umbrella not for storms but for survival, because nothing ruins a day faster than being soaked before getting to work.
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The short winter days add another layer to the struggle. You wake up in darkness, go to work in grey daylight, and return home in darkness again. For a people accustomed to bright sunshine most of the year, this change can be emotionally draining. The lack of light makes the days feel shorter, the nights longer, and life strangely quieter. Many Nigerians say their first winter taught them mental strength in ways they never expected. You begin to measure time differently and discover the importance of warm lighting, indoor hobbies, and hot chocolate.
Yet, despite all these challenges, something interesting happens over time. You adapt. The cold becomes less frightening, the rain less annoying, and the seasonal changes start to feel like markers of progress. You begin to appreciate the beauty of autumn leaves, the quiet charm of winter mornings, the fresh scent of spring, and the glorious long summer days that stretch past 9 p.m. When summer finally arrives, Nigerians become some of the happiest people outdoors; picnicking, walking, sightseeing, simply enjoying the warmth that reminds us of home.
The weather, though demanding, gives every immigrant a story to tell. It humbles you, toughens you, and teaches you resilience. It becomes part of your identity as a diaspora resident. You learn to laugh at the cold, tolerate the rain, and treasure the sun. And with time, you realise that adapting to the British weather is not just about climate, it is a symbol of learning to thrive in a new land.
