When Adeola Ogunyemi boarded a flight from Lagos to London in 2015, she carried little more than a degree in accounting, a determination to escape Nigeria’s economic instability, and a promise to support her aging parents. Eight years later, Adeola runs a flourishing catering business in Manchester, employs 15 staff members, and uses online remittance transfer services to send funds to her family in Lagos every month. Her story reflects the resilience of African immigrants in the UK, who balance ambition with the responsibility of uplifting loved ones abroad.

Overcoming Early Struggles

Like many newcomers, Adeola journey began with hurdles. Despite her qualifications, securing accounting work proved challenging due to credential recognition delays. To make ends meet, she took shifts as a cleaner and sold homemade Nigerian dishes at local markets. “I’d cook joll of rice and moi-moi after work, often staying up until 2 a.m.,” she recalls. However, her perseverance caught the attention of Manchester’s African-Caribbean community, where demand for authentic cuisine skyrocketed. By 2018, she’d saved enough to launch “Taste of Naija,” a catering company now beloved for its fusion of Nigerian and British flavours.

Transitioning into entrepreneurship wasn’t her only challenge. Adeola also prioritised sending money to her parents, who relied on her support after her father’s retirement. “At first, I used traditional banks for internationally money transfer, but the fees ate into my savings,” she explains. Switching to affordable online remittance transfer platforms allowed her to maximise each payment—a critical step in funding her parents’ medical bills and her sister’s education.

Community Networks and Financial Savvy

Adeola success underscores the role of community support. Organisations like the African Diaspora Foundation UK connected her to mentorship programs and grants for minority-owned businesses. Additionally, Manchester’s Nigerian community became her first loyal customers. “They didn’t just buy my food—they promoted it on social media and referred friends,” she says.

Financial literacy further propelled her growth. Adeola learned to compare exchange rates and leverage apps for real-time online remittance transfers, ensuring her family received funds swiftly. 

    “Every penny counts,” she notes. “Saving on transfer fees meant I could reinvest more into my business.”

The Ripple Effect of Remittances

Adeola story isn’t just about personal triumph. The £300 she sends monthly helps her sister study medicine at the University of Lagos—a direct investment in Nigeria’s future workforce. Globally, remittances to Sub-Saharan Africa reached $53 billion in 2022, according to the World Bank, often exceeding foreign aid. For countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, these funds stabilize households, fuel small businesses, and fund education.

Yet challenges persist. High transfer costs and exchange rate fluctuations remain barriers, driving demand for transparent internationally money transfer services. “Affordable remittances empower immigrants to fulfill dual roles—building a life here and uplifting families there,” says immigration economist Dr. Kwame Asante.