As Far As I Can Remember

From Nigeria to Canada and back again: Francis Omoruyi’s immigrant story explores the challenges of corruption, racism, and crime, but also the joys of achievement, aspiration, and community connection.

Born in a small Nigerian village, Francis was the son of one of his father’s three wives. His entrepreneurial mother instilled in him a drive for education as well as an adventurous spirit—traits that endured throughout his life. To improve the educational opportunities for his children, Francis and his wife, Rosaline, decided to immigrate to Canada in the 1970s—but the experience was rife with setbacks.

Francis struggled to find a job that would recognize his qualifications, and, once employed, he continued to face systemic racism. This memoir details not only the hard times but also the triumphs of Francis’s journey as he found ways to thrive no matter what life threw his way.

Intense and evocative, As Far as I Can Remember is a candid account of the Nigerian-Canadian immigrant experience and a paean to education and family bonds.