From Lagos to Warsaw: How Chinedu Found Legal Work in Poland

Based on an interview with Chinedu Okafor, 29, a certified welder from Lagos, Nigeria, who relocated to Warsaw, Poland in late 2025.

"I Almost Didn't Apply"

My name is Chinedu. I am from Surulere, Lagos. I have been welding since I was 19. I learned from my uncle, got my NABTEB certificate, and worked on construction sites across Lagos and Port Harcourt for nearly a decade.

By 28, I was earning about 150,000 naira a month — maybe 180,000 in good months. Enough to survive, but not enough to build. Not enough to help my mother with medical bills.

When my friend Emeka told me he was earning over a million naira a month as a construction worker in Poland, I laughed. I told him it was a scam. I had heard too many stories about guys paying millions to agencies that disappeared.

"This one is different," Emeka said. "They didn't ask me to pay anything upfront."

He sent me photos. His work site. His apartment. His Polish work permit. A screenshot of his bank alert. That got my attention.

Taking the First Step

Emeka gave me the link to World Wide Services. I filled out the free assessment one evening on my way home. It took maybe ten minutes.

Two days later, someone called. A real person. She asked about my welding experience, my certifications, and whether I had a valid passport. She explained everything clearly — the timeline, the documents, the costs.

No upfront payment. No pressure. Just information.

They didn't paint a perfect picture. They told me it would be cold, the language would be hard, and the work would be physically demanding. That honesty made me trust them.

Three Months That Changed Everything

Once I decided, things happened in stages. I gathered documents — passport, welding certificates, medical results. The WWS team reviewed everything before submission.

Within three weeks, I received a job offer from a construction company in Warsaw. €1,500 per month with accommodation provided. I read every clause of the contract on a video call with my consultant.

The visa interview at the Polish consulate in Lagos was nerve-wracking. But I was prepared. Two weeks later, my visa was approved.

From assessment to boarding my flight: almost exactly three months.

The First Week in Poland

Nothing prepares you for Polish winter. I arrived in November at -2°C. I had never experienced anything below 20°C. My employer met me at the airport — a Polish man named Marek who said "Welcome to Poland" in English. That small gesture meant the world.

The accommodation was a shared apartment with two other Nigerian workers and one guy from the Philippines. Clean, warm, fully furnished. Rent covered entirely by the employer.

The first week was pure culture shock. Different food, quiet streets, people not making eye contact. I called my mother every night.

But the work site felt familiar. Steel is steel. A welding torch works the same in Warsaw as in Lagos. My supervisor was impressed with my speed. That gave me confidence.

The Numbers That Matter

Here is my monthly breakdown:

Gross salary: €1,500/month
Accommodation: €0 (employer-covered)
Food and personal: ~€200
Transport: ~€50
Phone: ~€15
Savings kept in Poland: ~€435
Sent home via Wise: €500/month
Family receives: ~₦850,000/month

I send home more than four times what I used to earn.

What I Miss and What I Have Gained

I miss home. Jollof rice that tastes right. Sitting outside with friends. My mother's voice in person.

But I have something I never had: financial stability. Real savings. My plan is to work here 3-5 years, save enough for my own welding workshop in Lagos.

I have also gained professional respect. My supervisor recommended me for additional MIG welding certification — the company paid for it.

What I Would Tell Someone Considering This

Work with a legitimate agency. If they demand millions upfront with no contract, walk away.
Be patient. Three months felt long. Now it feels like nothing.
Prepare for the adjustment. The cold, the culture — it is temporary.
Keep your goal in mind. Every difficult day is an investment.

Ready to start your journey? Contact us for a free consultation, or fill out your free assessment.