Omowumi Iyaromi is a courageous woman who travelled thousands of kilometres for the future of her children. In Nigeria, Omowumi had built a successful medical career, but she knew she needed to take a leap of faith and move forward. This is her incredible story. More at iedmonton.net.
How It All Began
One night, Omowumi lay in bed, staring into the darkness, listening to the sounds of the city, and thinking about her three children and their future in Nigeria. She feared that, despite earning degrees, they might struggle to find jobs. She had heard too many stories from her patients about how they were forced to support their unemployed children on small pensions.
Omowumi loved Nigeria deeply, making the decision to leave all the more difficult. Nigeria was her home—it was where she became a doctor and fulfilled her dreams. She had spent years studying and practising medicine, earning the respect of her colleagues and the medical community. She enjoyed her work and the impact she had on society. However, she also knew that moving to Canada would likely mean giving up her profession, as obtaining a medical licence there was extremely challenging. This uncertainty was the only thing holding her back. At the same time, she kept hearing more stories about Nigeria’s struggling youth.
Then, one day, she received a life-changing phone call from a friend in Canada. He told her that medical professionals were urgently needed in rural communities, and the government was actively recruiting foreign doctors.
Emigrating to Canada
The idea of moving to Canada felt both thrilling and terrifying. In her 40s, Omowumi was hesitant to leave behind the stability she had built. The process of obtaining medical certification was daunting, and the immigration process itself demanded enormous time and resources—all while she continued to work full-time.
She searched for housing, figured out how to enrol her children in school, learned about Canada’s banking and healthcare systems, and quietly began saying goodbye to her old life. The immigration process was exhausting.
Her first attempt at the English language exam was unsuccessful, but she refused to give up. She passed on her second try and then dedicated the next few years to preparing for the Medical Council of Canada exams. Since the nearest testing centre was in Ghana, she had to make frequent trips there.
She submitted job applications to Alberta and British Columbia. After months of effort, her perseverance paid off—she was invited for an interview in BC. In August 2017, she travelled to Canada to attend a preparatory course and undergo testing. She successfully passed all her exams.
At 44 years old, Omowumi finally made the move with her family. Upon her arrival, she was greeted by a heavy snowfall—an unforgettable welcome to Canada. Her colleagues and neighbours embraced her family with warmth and kindness. She felt at home.
Overcoming Early Challenges
The challenges didn’t end there. Navigating the differences in medication names and regulations proved difficult, requiring her to familiarize herself with Canada’s pharmaceutical landscape. Adapting to a new culture was another hurdle. She quickly learned that, in a multicultural country like Canada, cultural sensitivity in medical practice was essential. While these challenges were difficult, they made her a more adaptable and culturally aware physician—something that shaped her approach to patient care.
After four years in Prince George, BC, Omowumi and her family relocated to Edmonton, where she joined another outstanding team of doctors. Her family continued to flourish—her eldest child graduated and found work in their chosen field, the second pursued a university degree, and the youngest had just finished high school and was actively involved in volunteer work.
Looking at her children, Omowumi knew that every sacrifice she had made was worth it.
