Global Moves, Local Reunions
A Full Circle Journey from Nigeria to Canada
Old friends, new journeys — Efe Fofah reconnects with a familiar face in Canada
You know those moments that make you stop and think, "Wow... what are the odds?"
I had one of those recently — and honestly, it still makes me smile.
If you’ve ever relocated to a new city or country, you know what a big step it is. It’s exciting, of course, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you're doing it alone. That’s why I’m so passionate about my work at CityMatch, helping newcomers and corporate hires settle into life in the London and St. Thomas, Ontario region. Having walked that path myself, it’s incredibly rewarding to now support others on their journey.
Here’s the full-circle moment: when my family first arrived in Canada in 2022, we received incredible support from CityMatch during our own relocation. I’ll never forget the warmth, clarity, and care we were shown. Today, I get to pay that kindness forward — and it’s truly one of the best parts of my job.
But nothing could have prepared me for the twist that unfolded last year.
I had been assigned to assist a new hire relocating from Nigeria — pretty routine — until I saw the name. It immediately sparked a memory. Could it really be the same person I had worked alongside years ago? Sure enough, it was! Nearly a decade after sharing the highs and lows of professional life in Lagos, we found ourselves reunited, this time in southwestern Ontario, with me helping him find a home and start fresh.
We laughed, caught up, and stood in awe of just how small the world could be. What are the chances?
That unexpected reconnection was a beautiful reminder of why I love this work. Every newcomer has a story — a leap of faith, a new chapter — and sometimes, those journeys bring back pieces of your own past in the most surprising ways.
London has been such a welcoming place for newcomers. The warmth here goes beyond simply finding housing or learning new bus routes. It’s found in the community, the kindness of strangers, and all the everyday moments that slowly weave into the feeling of home.
It’s easy to think that moving across the world means leaving everything behind. But sometimes, the most meaningful parts of your story travel with you, ready to surprise you when you least expect it.
