A Nigerian man, Kolawole Ajayi, has stirred widespread reactions on social media after revealing that he left his job as a nursery and primary school teacher in Nigeria to pursue a full-time career as a suya seller in London.
Ajayi’s story gained traction following a viral TikTok interview conducted by @Onijekujelondon, in which he was seen preparing suya while recounting his journey from teaching to entrepreneurship abroad.
In the interview, Ajayi disclosed that he spent 13 years working as a teacher in Nigeria while running a suya business as a side hustle. He explained that he also explored other income streams, including YouTube content creation, catering and barbecue services.
According to him, financial considerations played a major role in his decision to quit teaching and focus fully on his business.
“I was doing it for like 13 years as a side hustle. I was cooking, doing YouTube videos, catering for people, and doing barbecues. When my passive income became about half of my salary, I decided to leave my nursery job and focus on this full-time,” he said.
Ajayi noted that as the suya business grew, it became more profitable and sustainable than his teaching job, prompting his complete transition into entrepreneurship. He admitted, however, that the journey has not been without challenges, recalling instances of unfavourable weather conditions, including an incident where strong winds scattered his suya pepper.
The viral video has since generated mixed reactions online. While some social media users praised his courage, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, others were more critical.
One TikTok user, @MrsHil, claimed to have known Ajayi personally, writing, “He managed my children’s nursery. Nice to see him thriving.”
However, other commenters shared less favourable views. A business owner, Non Tarnish Jewelry Store, said they admired Ajayi’s YouTube content but described their personal interaction with him as disappointing. Another user, @Venom, alleged that Ajayi earned about £140 as a teacher in Nigeria, reigniting debates about teachers’ welfare and remuneration in the country.
Some users also questioned the quality of his food and raised concerns about hygiene during the interview, further fuelling online discussions around the viral clip.