Life in the diaspora: The Nigerian experience in the UK – credit scores, borrowing, and the financial trust system
By Mary Opii
One of the quiet realities Nigerians discover after settling in the UK is that financial stability is not measured only by income. It is measured by behaviour over time. In this system, trust has a number attached to it, and that number is known as your credit score.
For many Nigerians, this concept is unfamiliar at first. Back home, financial credibility is often built through relationships, reputation, and immediate proof of funds. Cash transactions dominate, and borrowing can be informal. In the UK, however, financial life is recorded, analysed, and evaluated over time. Paying bills on time, managing loans responsibly, and keeping within credit limits all contribute to a financial profile that follows you.
The discovery usually happens during ordinary moments. Applying for a phone contract, renting a property, financing a car, or even opening certain bank accounts can trigger a credit check. Many immigrants are surprised when applications are declined despite having stable employment and savings. The issue is often not income, but history.
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When you first arrive, you are financially invisible. There is no borrowing record, no repayment history, and no established trust within the system. Ironically, having no credit history can be almost as limiting as having poor credit. The system does not assume reliability; it requires evidence.
I remember conversations with other immigrants who were confused after being refused simple financial products. One person had saved enough to pay upfront but still struggled because lenders wanted proof of consistent credit behaviour. That moment highlighted a key difference between financial cultures. In the UK, reliability must be documented. The system does not judge potential; it evaluates recorded behaviour.
Building credit therefore becomes intentional. Registering on the electoral roll (where eligible), paying council tax and rent on time, setting up direct debits for utilities, using a credit card carefully, and avoiding missed payments gradually establish a record. Small actions repeated consistently carry significant weight. Conversely, small mistakes can remain on your record for years.
Another adjustment Nigerians face is understanding how interconnected financial systems are. Banks, lenders, utility providers, and mobile networks may share data with credit reference agencies. This creates a detailed picture of your financial habits. A missed payment on a phone bill can influence future loan applications. Many immigrants find this level of connection surprising.
Borrowing itself also carries a different meaning. In Nigeria, borrowing may sometimes reflect immediate need or opportunity. In the UK, borrowing is often strategic. People borrow to build credit, not only because they lack funds. This shift in mindset takes time to understand. Responsible borrowing becomes part of long-term financial planning rather than short-term necessity.
There is also an emotional dimension. Rejection based on an invisible score can feel discouraging, especially for immigrants who are otherwise stable and hardworking. It requires patience to accept that trust in this system is earned gradually. Over time, however, progress becomes visible. Approval rates improve, limits increase, and options expand.
The advantages of a strong credit profile are significant. Better mortgage rates, access to competitive financing, smoother rental applications, and lower insurance premiums all become possible. Financial discipline is rewarded in practical ways that affect everyday life.
Living in the UK teaches one that reputation extends beyond character into documented behaviour. Financial decisions leave footprints, and consistency matters more than occasional effort. The system may feel rigid, but it also provides predictability. Rules are clear, expectations are defined, and progress is measurable.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, understanding credit is often a turning point in achieving stability. It encourages planning, patience, and intentional financial habits. Over time, immigrants learn that building credit is not about borrowing more, but about demonstrating reliability.
In this way, the credit system reflects a broader lesson about life in the UK: trust is structured, recorded, and earned gradually. And learning how to build and protect that reputation becomes another important step toward adapting successfully to life in the UK.
