Somewhere in Lagos tonight, a family is facing a hard choice: sell the land, or tell their child to wait? An agent has promised admission “in weeks.” A cousin in Calgary says life is good. A TikTok video shows snow, a skyline and a new life.

Nobody shows the spreadsheet. So let’s open it.

The bill arrives before the plane does

Official EduCanada figures put average annual tuition for international undergraduates at about C$41,746. For graduate students it is around C$24,028, and college diplomas run roughly C$16,000–C$25,000 a year.

Yes, a master’s can cost less than a bachelor’s. But tuition is only the opening act.

From 1 September 2026, IRCC requires a single applicant studying outside Quebec to prove C$23,448 for one year of living costs. That comes on top of tuition and travel. It is the minimum a visa officer will accept, not a promise that it will cover Toronto rent.

Do the arithmetic. A modest college programme plus living costs and setup can top C$45,000 in year one. An undergraduate degree can pass C$67,000. Now convert that to naira, and remember that the exchange rate can move against you between the admission letter and the fee deadline.

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“I’ll just work” is not a plan

Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. That helps, but it is not guaranteed income.

The right to work is not a job. Jobs take time to find and pay varies. Your grades, and your immigration status, depend on your studies coming first. If your survival budget relies on a job you don’t have yet, you’re not planning. You’re hoping.

The door is narrower than ever

Agents rarely lead with this part. Canada capped study permits in 2024 and has kept tightening the rules. IRCC’s March 2026 briefing set a target of just 155,000 newly arriving international students this year. It also reported that 59% of new study permit applications were refused in 2025.

That figure is not your personal odds. But it makes one thing clear: an admission letter is not a visa. Never make payments you can’t get back on the assumption that a visa will follow.

The PGWP trap

Many Nigerians see the Post-Graduation Work Permit as the real prize. Not every school or programme qualifies. Degree graduates generally need CLB 7 in all four language skills, and some college programmes face field-of-study rules.

Even with a PGWP, permanent residence is never automatic. Before paying a deposit, confirm that the school is a designated learning institution and that your specific programme is PGWP-eligible.

So, is it still worth it?

For some students, absolutely. Canada still offers world-class education and real opportunity. It is worth it if:

• You can fund tuition and living costs without counting on a job.
• The programme fits a genuine career goal.
• You have checked PGWP eligibility yourself instead of relying on an agent’s word.
• The degree would still be worth it even if you had to come home.

It is a warning sign if you would need to borrow at punishing rates, sell essential family assets, or work your way through tuition.

How to shrink the risk

Look beyond Toronto and Vancouver, because other cities can be far cheaper. Pursue scholarships and funded graduate positions, which can change the numbers entirely. And calculate the cost of the whole programme, not just the first semester’s invoice.

The bottom line

Canada is not a scam, and it is not a shortcut. It is an investment, and like any investment, it can pay off or break you.

If the numbers work on paper, you may be ready. If they don’t, waiting is not failure. It’s strategy.

The goal isn’t just to get to Canada. It’s to arrive with a plan that won’t sink you, or your family, if things change.

Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your institution before paying.

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