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

Tolulope Ariyibi-Oke, CEO of Metropolitan School of Business and Management (MSBM) based in Scotland, shared her story of how poverty shaped her journey from selling bread in Nigeria to becoming a successful business leader in the United Kingdom. Ariyibi-Oke grew up in Agbowo, Ibadan, with her family living in a face-me-I-face-you house due to financial constraints.

At the age of nine, she started hawking bread to support her family, which she later viewed as a formative experience that taught her about struggle and motivation. Despite the hardships, her parents emphasized the importance of education, discipline, and responsibility. This upbringing shaped her into a leader who understands the importance of both merit and access, as she recognizes that personal responsibility and the opportunity to succeed are not always equal for everyone.

Ariyibi-Oke's journey from Nigeria to Dubai and then to the UK included significant challenges in building her career and expanding MSBM internationally. The most significant turning point came when the naira weakened against the pound, making it difficult for students to afford her programs. This forced her to diversify MSBM's operations beyond Nigeria, leading to her current success in Scotland.