UK-Based Nigerian Entrepreneurs Praise Business Climate Despite Initial Hurdles

A growing number of Nigerian entrepreneurs operating in the United Kingdom have spoken positively about the UK’s business environment, highlighting opportunities for growth despite the challenges that come with starting afresh in a new country.

One such entrepreneur is Ayomide Babadele, a fashion and interior designer who relocated to Birmingham in 2023 to pursue a Master’s degree in Project Management. She revived her business, Anthillbyenitan, which originally launched in Nigeria and is now gaining traction in the UK.

“Back in my days at Bowen University, I used to sew for classmates. That passion evolved into a full-fledged business over the years in Lagos and Abuja,” she shared. Now, her client base includes not only Nigerians but also individuals from Lebanon, Algeria, Asia, and the UK. Her unique prints, including Adire and Aso Oke, are designed in the UK and sourced directly from Lagos.

Despite these achievements, Babadele pointed out that the process of starting a business in the UK can be overwhelming for immigrants. “There’s no clear playbook. From registration to networking, everything feels like uncharted territory,” she said. Nevertheless, participating in the World African Heritage Day exhibition organized by Lloyd’s Bank gave her brand a boost.

Her advice to fellow Nigerian entrepreneurs: “You need to be bold and intentional. People respond to passion and visibility.”

Similarly, Chisom Anoruo, who also resides in Birmingham, restarted her baking business, Somdrew’s Cakes, earlier this year after pausing it to focus on her studies. “I used to run it full-time back in Nigeria, but between academics and visa restrictions, I had to put it on hold,” she said. After relaunching in March, she has already baked cakes for weddings and other occasions, mainly serving customers from West African and Caribbean backgrounds.

Anoruo stressed the importance of planning. “You can’t just jump in. You need the right information to build trust and navigate logistics.”

Photographer Olamide Bakare also shared his journey. Having moved to the UK in 2023, he credits his early success to support from the Nigerian community. “Tapping into familiar networks helped me gain a foothold. From there, word spread to wider audiences,” he explained. He also praised the ease of setting up a business in the UK, noting that registration can be completed online within a day.

Bakare emphasized compliance with local laws as key to long-term success. “Once you respect the system, you’ll find it easier to grow.”

Marianne Agolia, who arrived in the UK in 2022, established Lightup Families Ltd earlier in 2025 to help migrants navigate the local job market. Having faced similar struggles herself during her initial years in the UK in 2008, Agolia was inspired to create a support system for newcomers.

“There’s a huge gap in employment services for non-permanent residents,” she said. “This is where my business comes in, offering job support and training to those who are often overlooked.”

Agolia said her UK experience contrasts sharply with doing business in Nigeria, where instability and inconsistent policies previously forced her to shut down ventures.

Her insights reflect a broader trend. As the “japa” movement continues — a Nigerian slang term for migration that has gained widespread recognition, including inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary — data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency reveals that over 128,000 Nigerians enrolled in UK universities between 2015 and 2022, many seeking better educational and economic opportunities.

These entrepreneurs’ experiences highlight both the possibilities and the pitfalls of launching a business abroad — showing that with resilience, clarity, and community, Nigerian businesses can thrive far from home.