“I Was a Teacher for 13 Years” – Man Leaves Teaching to Sell Suya in London: Kolawole Ajayi is a Nigerian man who worked as a teacher for thirteen years before he decided to leave the classroom for a different path. Today, he sells suya in London and also runs a restaurant business.
Ajayi became popular online after people shared his story about quitting teaching in Nigeria to focus on his suya business in the United Kingdom. According to him, selling suya started as something he did on the side while he was still teaching. At first, it was just extra work to support himself. Over time, the business began to bring in more money than his teaching job.
He explained that he did not wake up one day and resign suddenly. He spent years teaching and at the same time cooking, recording YouTube videos, and catering for small events. Through this, people started to know him and trust his food. As more customers came in, the income from suya grew steadily.
Ajayi said that when the money he earned from the business reached about half of his teaching salary, he began to think seriously about leaving teaching. When it became clear that the business could fully support him, he resigned from his nursery school job and faced suya selling full time.
He believes that patience, consistency, and honesty helped him grow. He also said that helping people and doing clean work opened doors for him. His restaurants in Peckham, London, serve Nigerian and African foods like suya, Agege bread, Banga soup, and Edikaikong.
Many people on social media have reacted to his story. Some praised his courage for changing careers after many years. Others shared their own experiences with his food. While some people said the suya is not the best in London, others said it tastes close to what they remember from home.
Ajayi’s story shows that passion and careful planning can change a person’s life. It also reminds Nigerians at home and abroad that success can come from unexpected places. His effort has even been noticed by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, who praised him for representing Nigeria well.
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