Nigerian immigrants experience unconscious bias in Canada
The move to Canada promises many opportunities, yet for many skilled Nigerian professionals, the reality of working life is tempered by subtle but persistent challenges often termed ‘unconscious bias’.
This phenomenon, described by immigrants as a form of prejudice that stops short of racism, forces black professionals to perform at a significantly higher level just to achieve parity with their non-immigrant colleagues.
A Nigerian medical doctor, Daniel practising in Calgary, recently shared his insights, arguing that black immigrants start at a significant disadvantage in the western job market.
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Appearance and identity
Daniel recalls the advice he received upon taking over his practice, Dr. Zabrowski kept telling me, doctor, go and bring your certification from all over the world and put on the wall. It’s now that I realise what Dr. Zabrowski was saying.”
Daniel believes this emphasis on proving one’s credentials is a direct response to a default level of suspicion.
“People always question you when you look different. People always question you when you’re black. Is he really a good doctor?” he stated. He described how even after prescribing treatment, a white patient would leave his clinic and go to ask the receptionist if the prescription is okay.
The doctor quantified this hurdle for black applicants: “As a black person in the West, you already have minus 30 percent… If you’re going for an interview, you already have minus 30 percent just for being black.” He adds that having an African name or a pronounced accent further deducts from one’s initial standing.
He stressed that back professionals must compensate for this bias through flawless attention to detail.
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The burden of exceptionalism
This ‘unconscious bias’ creates a need for black immigrants to work exponentially harder to succeed. Dr. Zoe likened the experience to a Nigerian proverb: “You as a black guy, you have to work three times harder than the local guys to be where they are.”
He also recounts a personal experience that highlights the systemic nature of the issue. Before moving to Canada, he struggled to secure interviews, despite his qualifications. He consulted a supervisor in Scotland who looked at his CV and said, “Just remove the Nigerian thing.”
“The moment I did that, I had about seven interviews in one week,” he claimed.
For Ada, a Nigerian mother who recently moved her family to join her husband in Alberta, the reality has proven to be less a ‘bed of roses’ and more a marathon of unexpected struggles.
Her husband initially suggested she remain at home to save on costs, but the soaring household bills forced her to seek work.
“I cannot even emphasise on the number of emails I’ve sent over the last couple of months,” she revealed, detailing her struggle in the Canadian job market. “I’ve sent out over 150 CVs. And honestly, I only started getting a call after I sent about 100.”
The core issue? The demand for Canadian experience.
She now advises new arrivals to embrace transitionary jobs to get a foot in the door, regardless of their previous profession.
“Do not say because this is not the role you are doing back in your country, or it is demeaning. Nothing is demeaning here. Look for transitionary jobs and start doing something,” she urged.
Navigating corporate and social spaces
Dr. Daniel urged black immigrants to “be loud about the achievements you had before coming into this country,” criticising the ‘help-me-my brother’ kind of mentality that she believes leads to being looked down upon.
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Dr. Daniel also advocated for increased social integration outside of work, encouraging immigrants to participate in activities typically associated with wealth and influence: “Sign up to golf golf courses, golf golf clubs, hockey teams, mix. Integrates.” The reasoning, she asserts, is that if local populations are not accustomed to seeing successful Black people in these spaces, “the unconscious bias is going to stick.”
Calgary: A comparative view
Despite the challenges, Dr. Daniel suggested that the Canadian environment, particularly Calgary, is relatively more welcoming than other Western locales where he has practised.
“I am in Calgary, Canada, as far as I’m concerned, is one of the best places for you to practice in the world,” he shared, noting that while the bias still exists, the city is “still taking baby steps compared to Europe and other places.”
