Poverty shaped my journey from bread seller to UK business leader – Scotland-based MSBM CEO, Ariyibi-Oke

Tolulope Ariyibi-Oke, the CEO of Metropolitan School of Business and Management in the United Kingdom, shares her inspiring journey from a young bread seller in Nigeria to a successful business leader. Growing up in Agbowo, Ibadan, Ariyibi-Oke faced poverty and struggled to make ends meet. Despite the hardships, she credits her parents' emphasis on education, discipline, and responsibility for shaping her into the strong leader she is today.

Ariyibi-Oke's move from Nigeria to Dubai and later to the UK allowed her to gain international exposure and develop a broader understanding of business practices. Her experience in Dubai taught her that what works in one country may need to be adapted for other markets. When she returned to the UK in 2022, she decided to expand her business and focus on serving customers outside Nigeria.

One of the significant challenges Ariyibi-Oke faced when building her career abroad was the weakening of the Nigerian currency against the British pound. This economic shift made it difficult for her students to afford her programs, forcing her to reconsider the future of her business. This experience highlighted the importance of diversifying her business beyond Nigeria to ensure long-term success.

Ariyibi-Oke's journey demonstrates the power of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of recognizing that access to opportunities plays a crucial role in shaping one's career. Her story serves as a reminder that while personal responsibility is essential, external factors such as economic conditions and access to resources can significantly impact an individual's ability to succeed.