Nsobila, a Ghanaian who has lived in the United Kingdom for the past 25 years, recently shared his inspiring life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Born and raised in Tema, Nsobila attended all his schools there, including Tema Technical School. Growing up, he had a strong passion for carpentry, but his father discouraged him from pursuing it because the carpenters he knew were struggling financially. As a result, Nsobila studied mechanical engineering instead.
After school, he ventured into IT hardware, but it was a tough hustle. Along the line, he and some friends entered the entertainment space and started making rap music. “We did it for the love of it. Even though we didn’t really understand the business side, we still made some money,” he recalled.
Later, he started selling secondhand clothes — a booming business in Ghana at the time. A friend eventually introduced him to the idea of traveling abroad, and in the year 2000, five years after completing Tema Tech, Nsobila moved to the United Kingdom.
“When you first travel abroad, you’ll be happy, but without a good host, you’ll really suffer,” he admitted. “A friend helped me get a job, but he couldn’t provide accommodation, so things were difficult in the beginning.”
Fortunately, the people he met in the UK encouraged him to further his education. He pursued a degree in Information Technology and now works as an IT and cyber compliance specialist. “My father always said instead of buying fancy shoes, he’d rather invest in his children’s education — and that paid off,” he shared proudly.
He also reflected on the sacrifices he made during his studies. “While my friends were partying, I focused on paying my international fees. I remember one woman told me that while others were chasing money, I was chasing education — but now I work globally, and it’s all worth it,” he said.
According to Nsobila, many people abroad struggle with school fees and visa renewals. “Some drop out because they can’t pay their fees, and those who came with COS visas can’t work freely. When they want to renew their visas, they pay over £10,000, sometimes through loans,” he revealed.
His first official job came through a Ghanaian woman, and he has been working in IT since 2008. He now earns between £35,000 and £70,000 annually.
Reflecting on life abroad, he said, “If I hadn’t traveled, I would never have realized Ghana was such a blessing. Sometimes we overlook the opportunities at home. I visit Ghana often, and I believe the knowledge I’ve gained abroad can make a real impact back home. The UK won’t miss me if I leave — they already have enough skilled people.”
Nsobila emphasized that skills are just as important as education. “We overhype certificates, but we need to focus on returns before we invest in any career. If I had pursued carpentry, which I truly loved, I might have been even wealthier today,” he reflected.
Married to his Ghanaian wife for 22 years, Nsobila credits the longevity of their marriage to their faith and honesty. “Our secret is simple — being God-fearing and sincere with each other,” he said.