Oluwatoyin Abdul-Salam, better known as Toyin, is a specialist nurse who moved to the UK to pursue a career in healthcare and support her family back in Nigeria with remittances.
Leaving behind a life she had built in Nigeria, along with her family and her only child, Toyin moved to the UK to follow what she believes is her God-given purpose in life: To help others.
A new documentary featuring Toyin shows the sacrifices she and many international nurses make in order to help others.
Toyin said: “My decision to move to the UK was not made lightly, it was shaped by responsibilities, love and a desire to grow. I relocated with the understanding that love requires sacrifice.
“Though I reached the peak of my career in Nigeria, I still felt there was more I could give and more I could learn, I wanted to expand my nursing practice experience in a developed world.
“I believe God has a purpose for my life, moving to the UK was not an accident. My journey was not only for me and my family but for the lives of so many people that I would touch, the patients that I would care for, and the people I would uplift along the way.”
Leaving her old life behind took its toll on Toyin, who not only struggled with loneliness, but also keeping up with working additional shifts to earn money to send to her family in Nigeria.
Oluwatoyin Abdul-Salam (Toyin) is a nurse from Nigeria who works in Basingstoke Hospital. (Image: Eric Blewusi)
She said: “The hardest thing was the emotional cost, there was pressure not to fail, people back home identified me with success and here in UK, I must prove myself all over again.
“I faced racial bias, workplace inequality, which sometimes can be painful and humbling, but with resilience and my faith in God, I rebuilt my confidence, I worked harder to be heard and to be respected. I am always proud of my origin and I did not allow this to belittle my integrity. I am a proud Nigerian, capable, knowledgeable, resilient and unique.
“I left behind my loving home, my community, my identity as a successful and seasoned professional nurse. I missed my daughter’s milestones, family and community bonding, I was so lonely and learnt to cry quietly and still woke up strong the next day cheerfully.”
Toyin explained that her faith in Jesus helped her to overcome her struggles: “My faith in God has been my rock. Psalm 18 verse 2 says, ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my God is my rock in whom I take refuge’ . This bible passage always gives me strength, courage and hope in every difficult moment.
“This journey has been challenging but deeply rewarding, shaping me into the nurse and the woman that I am today to the glory of God.”
Toyin explained that it sometimes feels like she is living in two worlds, having to alter her personality and even her voice while working in her profession.
“I communicate calmly, slowly with confidence and drawing strength from God who has reassured me that I can do all things through him I build relationships intentionally, I share my communication style with seniors, executives, teams and colleagues whenever I am privileged.
“I do not simply survive in a new culture – I contribute to it.”
Data published in 2024 revealed that one in five NHS staff in England are non-UK nationals. Toyin believes this is a strength to the health service.
She said: “Our adaptability and resilience enrich the NHS workforce and enhance quality of care.
“We give up not just money, but family, community, professional recognition to keep the NHS running.”