Some Nigerian entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom have said that despite challenges like navigating unfamiliar systems and breaking into new markets, the UK business environment has been favourable.

Speaking to PUNCH Online in an interview, 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. She relaunched her business, Anthillbyenitan, which she originally started in Nigeria.

“It all began back in Bowen University. I used to make a few pieces for my coursemates. Officially, I’ve been running the fashion and interior business for six to seven years, mainly between Abuja and Lagos,” Babadele told PUNCH Online.

She noted that her UK relaunch late last year has attracted a diverse clientele, including Nigerians, Lebanese, Algerians, Asians, and Britons.

“All our fabrics are designed by me and sourced from Lagos. It’s always been a dream to take the richness of these fabrics — Adire, Aso Oke, and more — to the global scene,” she said. “They love the prints and colours. It pops for them.”

However, Babadele noted challenges in starting a business as a foreigner.

“There’s no clear guide for starting a business in England. Business registration, finding networks, breaking into an industry with limited representation — it’s been emotionally tasking,” she said.

A recent highlight was exhibiting at the World African Heritage Day celebration hosted by Lloyd’s Bank, where she received “amazing feedback and sales”.

She advised aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs in the UK, stating, “You can’t be shy doing business here. You have to speak from a place of purpose and inspiration. Visibility is everything.”

Meanwhile, Chisom Anoruo, another Birmingham-based entrepreneur, in a separate interview, said she relaunched her baking brand, Somdrew’s Cakes, earlier this year after pausing operations to focus on her master’s degree in project management.

“It was a full-time job for me back home. I came here, paused the business because of my studies and visa restrictions. But earlier this year, I prayed and felt led to start again,” Anoruo said.

She noted that since receiving her first order in March, she has baked a wedding cake and other pastries, steadily building her reputation.

“I’ve had Nigerian, Gambian, Jamaican customers — mostly people within my circle. The feedback has been overwhelming,” she said.

However, she faces challenges like brand awareness and logistics.

“People don’t know you yet, so they can’t trust your work until they see results. Logistics, too, has been tricky. In Nigeria, I could easily get a dispatch rider. Here, I have to gather the right information before even registering my business,” she explained.

Anoruo emphasised the importance of preparation, stating, “Information is key. You can’t just jump into things. But people are responsive if you present your products well.”

Another entrepreneur, Olamide Bakare, said that he is a photographer who relocated to the UK in 2023. He added that he found success by tapping into the Nigerian community while attracting clients from other backgrounds.

“Breaking into a new market is never easy. But starting with the Nigerian community here gave me a strong foundation,” he said.

According to him, his photography business is growing steadily, welcoming “individuals, communities, and organisations alike.”

Bakare highlighted the importance of aligning with UK regulations, stating, “Living by the rules of the land is the foundation for growth and success. Once you respect the system, it’s easier to flourish.”

He also praised the UK’s business environment, adding, “The UK provides fertile ground for growth, where dedication and consistency are rewarded. For instance, it takes about 24 hours to get your business registered without you leaving your home.”

Another entrepreneur, Marianne Agolia, said she moved to the UK in 2022, and founded Lightup Families Ltd to help migrants navigate the UK job market.

She said that she drew inspiration from her own struggles as a migrant in 2008 and launched her company in January 2025 after completing a master’s in project management at Worcester Business School.

“I had challenges navigating through the UK job market and working culture, which eventually impacted my continuous stay in the UK,” she said. “I said to myself, if I ever have another opportunity again, I’ll provide that support system for migrants.”

According to her, though less than six months old, her business is already making an impact.

“Immigrants without permanent resident status do not have access to job support services here, so it came as a big relief to most migrants,” she said.

Agolia noted that the UK offers ample support for small businesses, unlike her experience in Nigeria, where unstable markets and policies led to the closure of her previous ventures.

The wave of Nigerian migration, known as “japa,” has become significant enough to be recognised in the Oxford English Dictionary, according to a February PUNCH report.

Data from the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency indicates that over 128,000 Nigerian students enrolled in British universities between 2015 and 2022, driven by the pursuit of better education and quality of life.