Moving from Nigeria to the UK can be exciting, but the first few months can also come with plenty of “Nobody told me this!” moments.

From understanding council tax to registering with a GP, building a credit history and figuring out why everyone seems obsessed with booking appointments, there is a lot to learn.

If you've recently moved to the UK or you're preparing to move, here are 30 things Auntie Tobi thinks you should know. 💚

1. Register With a GP — Don't Wait Until You're Sick

One of the first things you should do after settling into your accommodation is find a local GP surgery.

Your GP is usually your first point of contact for non-emergency medical care.

In England, registering with a GP surgery is free, and most surgeries allow you to start the registration process online.

Auntie Tobi Tip 💚: If you or your children have important medical or vaccination records from Nigeria, keep them accessible and discuss relevant information with your new GP.

Official source: NHS — Register with a GP surgery

2. Learn the Difference Between GP, NHS 111, A&E and 999

This can save you a lot of confusion.

GP: Routine and non-emergency medical care.

NHS 111: When you need urgent medical help or advice but you're unsure what service you need. NHS 111 is available 24/7.

A&E: Serious injuries and medical emergencies requiring emergency-department treatment.

999: Life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate help.

Don't automatically assume every urgent health problem requires A&E.

Official source: NHS 111

3. Set Up the NHS App

If you're registered with a GP surgery in England and eligible to use it, the NHS App can make managing your healthcare much easier.

Depending on the services available to you, you may be able to:

• request repeat prescriptions

• check test results

• view NHS messages

• manage appointments

• access parts of your GP health record

Auntie Tobi Tip 💚: This is one app worth setting up early.

Official source: NHS — NHS App

4. Understand Your Immigration Status

Know exactly what your visa allows you to do.

Check:

• when your permission expires

• whether you can work

• any restrictions attached to your immigration permission

• whether dependants have different conditions

• what you need to do if your circumstances change

Don't rely on what happened with someone else's visa.

Your circumstances may be different.

Many immigration statuses are now recorded digitally through an eVisa, accessed using a UKVI account.

Official source: GOV.UK

5. Check Your eVisa Details

Your eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status and the conditions attached to your permission.

Make sure the details associated with your UKVI account remain correct, particularly your identity and travel-document information where applicable.

Don't wait until you're travelling to discover a problem.

6. Understand Your National Insurance Number

Your National Insurance number helps ensure your National Insurance contributions and tax are recorded against you.

If you have an eVisa, check whether you already have a National Insurance number before applying for one.

If you need one and meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply through.

Importantly, you can start work before receiving your National Insurance number if you can prove your right to work.

Official source: GOV.UK — National Insurance number

7. Learn How UK Payslips Work

Don't only look at the amount that enters your bank account.

Learn to recognise things such as:

• gross pay

• net pay

• tax

• National Insurance

• pension deductions

• tax code

• other deductions

Check your payslip regularly.

If something doesn't look right, ask questions.

8. Your Salary Is Not the Same as Your Take-Home Pay

A £30,000 salary does not mean £2,500 will enter your account every month.

Your take-home pay can be lower after deductions such as Income Tax, National Insurance and, where applicable, pension or student-loan deductions.

Budget using your expected net income, not simply your advertised annual salary.

9. Start Building Your UK Credit History

You may have had an excellent financial history in Nigeria, but UK lenders use information available within the UK when assessing applications.

Start learning how UK credit works.

Simple habits matter:

• pay bills on time

• avoid unnecessary borrowing

• check your credit reports

• keep your address information consistent

• use credit responsibly if you choose to borrow

A good credit history can become important when applying for financial products.

10. Direct Debits Are Everywhere

You'll quickly encounter direct debits for things such as:

• energy

• broadband

• mobile contracts

• insurance

• subscriptions

• council tax

A direct debit allows an organisation to collect an agreed payment from your bank account.

Check your bank account regularly and cancel services you no longer use through the appropriate process.

11. Council Tax Is Separate From Your Rent

This catches many newcomers by surprise.

If you rent a property, council tax may be another household bill unless your tenancy arrangement specifically includes it or another exemption applies.

The amount depends on factors including the property's council tax band and local authority.

Some households may qualify for discounts, reductions or exemptions.

Check your local council rather than assuming what somebody else pays applies to you.

12. Protect Your Tenancy Deposit

If you rent privately under a tenancy where deposit-protection rules apply, your landlord or agent may have legal obligations concerning how your deposit is protected and what information must be provided to you.

Keep:

• your tenancy agreement

• deposit documentation

• payment receipts

• inventory

• photographs from move-in day

• relevant correspondence

Auntie Tobi Tip 💚: Take clear photos and videos when you move into a property.

They may become very useful when you eventually move out.

13. Read Your Tenancy Agreement Before Signing

Don't sign because you're desperate to secure the house.

Check:

• rent

• deposit

• tenancy length

• notice requirements

• responsibilities for repairs

• bills

• restrictions

• conditions relating to ending the tenancy

Ask questions about anything you don't understand.

14. Your Postcode Is Very Important

UK postcodes are used for much more than receiving letters.

You'll use yours when searching for:

• GP surgeries

• schools

• supermarkets

• council services

• transport

• restaurants

• delivery services

• local businesses

Learning your postcode should be one of the easiest things on your settling-in list.

15. Learn Your Local Council Website

Your council website can answer many questions about your local area.

Depending on your council, you may find information about:

• council tax

• bin collection

• schools

• parking

• housing

• libraries

• local services

• planning

• childcare

• benefits and support

Bookmark it.

16. Bin Day Is Serious Business 😄

You may have different bins for different types of waste and recycling.

Collection arrangements vary between councils.

Putting the wrong items in a recycling bin or missing collection day can cause unnecessary problems.

Check your council's website for your collection schedule and recycling rules.

17. Don't Assume Everything Is Cheaper Online

Compare before buying.

Look at:

• supermarkets

• local shops

• discount retailers

• second-hand marketplaces

• charity shops

• refurbished options

And before buying something you'll only use occasionally, check whether you can borrow or access it locally.

UK libraries, community organisations and local schemes can offer more than many newcomers realise.

18. Learn How Public Transport Works Where You Live

Transport systems differ significantly around the UK.

London's system is very different from transport in smaller towns and rural areas.

Depending on where you live, investigate:

• buses

• trains

• local travel cards

• railcards

• contactless payment

• season tickets

• concessionary travel where eligible

Always check the conditions before buying a ticket or travel product.

19. Don't Assume Your Nigerian Driving Licence Can Be Used Indefinitely

Driving rules depend on where your licence was issued, your residency circumstances and the type of vehicle involved.

If you plan to drive in Great Britain, use the official GOV.UK licence-checking guidance to determine what applies to you.

Do this before driving, not after you are stopped.

20. Car Ownership Costs More Than the Purchase Price

That £2,000 used car isn't really just a £2,000 expense.

You may also need to budget for:

• insurance

• vehicle tax

• MOT

• servicing

• repairs

• tyres

• fuel

• parking

• breakdown cover

Calculate the ongoing cost before buying.

21. Learn Your Employment Rights

Starting a new job doesn't mean an employer can simply do anything they want.

Learn about areas such as:

• minimum wage

• holiday entitlement

• rest breaks

• payslips

• discrimination

• sick leave and pay

• maternity and parental rights

• workplace pensions

• dismissal protections

The exact rights that apply can depend on your employment status and circumstances.

Use GOV.UK and ACAS for reliable information.

22. Keep Important Documents Organised

Create a secure physical and/or digital system for documents such as:

• passport

• immigration records

• employment contract

• payslips

• P60/P45 documents

• tenancy agreement

• council tax records

• school correspondence

• insurance documents

• important NHS correspondence

You will thank yourself later.

23. Understand Your Employment Contract

Before accepting or starting a job, understand important terms such as:

• salary

• contracted hours

• workplace/location

• probation

• notice period

• overtime

• annual leave

• pension

• benefits

Don't rely solely on what was said during the interview.

Read the written terms you receive.

24. Learn How Schools Work Before You Need a Place

If you have children, don't wait until the last minute to understand the school system.

Learn about:

• school admissions

• catchment considerations

• application deadlines

• school years

• term dates

• Ofsted reports

• appeals

• in-year applications

School admissions arrangements can differ depending on where you live.

Start with your local council.

25. Libraries Are One of the UK's Most Underrated Resources

A library isn't just somewhere to borrow novels.

Depending on the library, you may find:

• free internet access

• computers

• children's activities

• study spaces

• ebooks

• community activities

• local information

• printing and other services

If you're new to an area, find your nearest library.

26. Your Address Needs to Stay Updated

When you move, don't assume changing your address with one organisation changes it everywhere.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to update organisations such as:

• your bank

• employer

• GP

• council

• insurer

• DVLA

• utility providers

• schools

• HMRC

• UKVI

Create a moving-house checklist so nothing important gets missed.

27. Don't Ignore Official Letters

Open your post.

A letter from your council, HMRC, NHS, DVLA, court, landlord or another organisation could contain a deadline or require action.

If you don't understand a letter, get reliable help rather than ignoring it.

28. Scams Can Look Very Convincing

Be cautious when someone unexpectedly contacts you claiming to be from:

• HMRC

• your bank

• the Home Office

• police

• delivery companies

• energy suppliers

• DVLA

Be particularly suspicious if they pressure you to transfer money immediately or reveal passwords or security information.

Go independently to the organisation's official website or contact details rather than trusting a link in an unexpected message.

29. Don't Get All Your UK Information From Social Media

TikTok, WhatsApp groups, Facebook and Instagram can be useful for discovering information.

They should not be your final authority for important decisions.

For immigration, tax, NHS, driving, employment and legal matters, check the relevant official source.

Auntie Tobi's rule:

Social media tells you what to investigate.
Official sources tell you what actually applies. 💚

30. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

Perhaps the most important one.

Moving countries involves more than changing your address.

You're learning a new system, new workplace culture, new terminology, new financial habits and sometimes a completely different way of doing everyday things.

You don't have to understand everything immediately.

Ask questions.

Research.

Build your community.

And save reliable information when you find it.

Before long, the things that once confused you will become normal.

💚 Auntie Tobi Says

Moving to the UK becomes easier when you understand how the system works.

Don't wait until something goes wrong before learning about your rights, responsibilities and the services available to you.

Save this guide and send it to a Nigerian who recently moved to the UK. 🇳🇬🇬🇧

And whenever you're looking for Nigerian-owned businesses, services, useful UK information or things happening around you, explore the Auntie Tobi App

Official Sources & Further Reading

Information in this guide should always be checked against current official guidance where individual circumstances matter.

GOV.UK — National Insurance number:
Official guidance explains who can apply, how to apply and how to check whether you already have one. (GOV.UK)

GOV.UK — UK immigration/eVisa:
Current government guidance explains the move to digital immigration status and accessing an eVisa through a UKVI account. (GOV.UK)

NHS — Register with a GP:
Everyone in England can register with a GP surgery or change surgery for free, with online registration available at many practices. (nhs.uk)

NHS — NHS App:
Eligible users can manage healthcare services such as prescriptions, appointments, test results and NHS messages through the NHS App or online NHS account. (nhs.uk)

NHS — NHS 111:
NHS 111 provides urgent medical advice and can direct people to an appropriate service when needed. (NHS England)

This article provides general information and is not legal, immigration, financial or medical advice. Rules and individual circumstances can change, so always check the relevant official source.