‘Sometimes I use a facemask to cover my face, just to pretend I am happy,’ says Nigerian healthcare worker separated from his family

‘John’ speaks every day with his children, but he finds it difficult to be separated from his family. Photo: Stock image

Maeve McTaggart

A Nigerian healthcare assistant has told of how “lonely” it can be to work on a general employment permit in Ireland.

John* who studied and earned his degree in Ireland, has been working on his current permit for the last two years while his wife cares for their daughters in Nigeria.