From Lagos to Oulu: Musa’s Pursuit of Growth and Belonging
“I thought I was just passing through. But Oulu became my home.”
Hi! My name is Musa and I am from Nigeria. I came to Finland 17 years ago and found a peaceful home here in Oulu. This is my story…
The Beginning
When Musa Thompson left Lagos, Nigeria — a city of over 20 million — for Rovaniemi in 2008, the change was dramatic. Coming to study information technology at a university then known as Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences (now Lapland UAS), Musa began what would turn into a remarkable journey across Finnish cities, cultures, and seasons. 17 years later, he has built a life, a family, and a business in Oulu — a place that he now calls home.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in Rovaniemi, Musa moved to Oulu in 2014 to pursue a master’s degree in Software Systems and Engineering at the University of Oulu. At that time, he imagined Oulu would probably be a temporary stop — just another chapter before moving to the next.
“I thought I was just here for studies, and then I’d move on. But here I am, 11 years later, still here. This city grew on me.”
More Than Just a City
While Rovaniemi still holds a special place in Musa’s heart, Oulu offered something new; more people to connect with, a livelier international community, and a richer variety of activities.
“It was exciting to be part of a bigger academic and professional environment. There were more international people here, more events and more opportunities too. It felt welcoming from the start,” he says.
Yet, Oulu surprised him in other ways — especially the weather. “I expected it to be warmer than Rovaniemi since it’s further south. But the wind in Oulu made it feel much colder. That was the first shocker!”
Despite that, Musa found comfort in Oulu’s tranquil rhythm. He’s now a proud father of three, and the founder of a cleaning company named MT Siivous. The city allowed him to build not just his career, but also a personal sanctuary.
A Sense of Belonging
Musa isn’t just another entrepreneur. He’s also a community builder, currently working as the Head of Operations of Bloom Oulu, with deeply rooted commitment to integration and collective development.
His favorite places in Oulu are the gym and the football field — places where he’s always felt most at home. “I’ve been a footballer all my life. Until 2017, I used to train 4 to 5 times a week. Now it’s the gym that keeps me going.”
His favorite Finnish dish? Makaronilaatikko—“macaroni in a box,” as he fondly calls it. And while he still savors Nigerian flavors, he’s developed a real appreciation for Finnish food and culture.
Integrating into the Culture
But Musa’s real journey of integration didn’t happen in a classroom — it happened in everyday life. He never attended a formal Finnish language course. Instead, he learned Finnish through real-world immersion: at work, in sports teams, through community engagement, and even sticky notes on his walls. He says, “The language is hard — but not impossible. We must stop telling ourselves we can’t learn it.”
For Musa, Oulu represents stability, opportunity, and peace. “I always tell people that if I wanted a big city life, I’d just go back to Nigeria. But here, I found ease. Access to nature. A calmness that helps you focus on what matters.”
A Message to Newcomers
Musa wants newcomers to know that integration takes time — and effort. “Don’t expect things to fall into place overnight. It took me years to build the life I have now. But if you’re active, curious, and consistent, Oulu will offer you so much.”
In many ways, Musa’s story is a testament to resilience and an open midset. What started as a short academic stop became a life-changing journey. “Oulu has been good to me,” he smiles. “I’ve grown here — in every sense of the word.”
