Comfort Olufunmilayo Olawo has spent most of her adult life split between two worlds — the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Now at 82, she is finally able to pause and enjoy the life she’s built after decades of dedication, sacrifice, and transcontinental journeys.

Her story began in 1966 when she first arrived in the UK and later married her husband, Emmanuel Layiwola Olawo, a quantity surveyor. The two were granted indefinite leave to remain, and together, they built a life in north London. Comfort took on various roles, including her cherished time as a typist at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, where her skills and passion for the job stood out.

Her life took a new turn when she decided to travel back to Nigeria to deliver her third child, seeking the support of her extended family during pregnancy. With her two older children in tow, the move was meant to be temporary. However, more than two years passed before she was ready to return permanently to the UK. By then, immigration rules had changed.

Under the law, any individual with indefinite leave to remain who stays outside the UK for more than two years automatically loses that status. This change meant that Comfort could no longer settle back without reapplying. What followed was a long journey of annual visitor visas — each limited to six months — forcing her into a demanding routine of constant travel between both countries.

Despite the strain, she never overstayed. Her commitment to the law was unwavering. For 50 years, she moved back and forth between Nigeria and the UK, driven by family ties and responsibility. Her children, grandchildren, and the life she once started all remained in the UK. Each journey became increasingly difficult with age.

Relief finally came when her lawyer applied for a returning resident visa under a newer route introduced by the government. The application was successful, and with it came a new chapter in Comfort’s life — one that doesn’t involve airport queues or visa deadlines.

For Comfort, this moment is not just about paperwork or status. It is a return to a place she calls home. “I belong to the UK and at last I have peace,” she said. Her children, concerned for her wellbeing, can now rest assured that she’s no longer compelled to cross continents just to be with them. With five children and ten grandchildren in the UK, Comfort is embracing this chapter with gratitude and quiet joy.

Her journey reflects a deep bond with two nations and stands as a quiet tribute to resilience, family, and the long, winding road to belonging.