Nigerian entrepreneurs who have relocated to the United Kingdom are finding success in their ventures despite the difficulties of adjusting to a new environment, navigating complex systems, and breaking into unfamiliar markets.

Ayomide Babadele, a fashion and interior designer now based in Birmingham, moved to the UK in 2023 to pursue a master’s degree in project management at Birmingham City University. While there, she relaunched her brand, Anthillbyenitan, which she originally built in Nigeria.

“The journey started during my time at Bowen University, where I made outfits for my coursemates. I’ve officially been running this business for six to seven years, mainly operating in Abuja and Lagos,” she said.

Since relaunching in the UK late last year, Babadele has gained a diverse client base including Nigerians, Britons, Lebanese, Algerians, and Asians.

“All our fabrics are my own designs and are sourced directly from Lagos. It’s always been my dream to bring the richness of Nigerian fabrics like Adire and Aso Oke to an international audience. The vibrant colours and patterns really resonate here,” she shared.

However, Babadele also spoke about the hurdles of being a foreign entrepreneur.

“There’s no clear guideline for setting up a business here. From registration to networking and trying to enter an industry with minimal representation, it has been emotionally draining.”

A recent milestone was showcasing her work at the World African Heritage Day celebration hosted by Lloyd’s Bank, where she received strong feedback and good sales.

Offering advice to other aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs in the UK, she said, “You can’t afford to be shy. You have to speak with purpose and inspiration. Visibility is everything in this space.”

Chisom Anoruo, another Birmingham-based entrepreneur, also shared her experience. She recently revived her baking brand, Somdrew’s Cakes, after pausing operations to focus on her master’s studies in project management.

“Baking was a full-time job for me back in Nigeria. But I paused after moving here due to studies and visa restrictions. Earlier this year, I felt led to start again,” Anoruo said.

Since her first order in March, she has made a wedding cake and other baked goods, slowly gaining recognition.

“My customers have mostly been within my network — Nigerians, Gambians, Jamaicans. The response has been amazing,” she noted.

However, she pointed out obstacles such as limited brand visibility and delivery logistics.

“People don’t know your work yet, so trust is hard to build. Logistics has been challenging too. In Nigeria, getting a dispatch rider was easy. But here, I had to do thorough research even before registering the business.”