The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Nigerians Abroad – A Conversation with Akinola Muiz, Verona, Italy

As I stepped into Akinola Muiz’s small shop in Porto San Pancrazio, Verona, I was immediately struck by the bustling energy that filled the space. The hum of conversation, the clatter of mobile phones being repaired, and the flow of customers coming in for money transfers—all of it spoke to the hard work and dedication Akinola had poured into this business.

Want to learn more about storytelling? Start by downloading the first chapter of?The Storytelling Mastery.

For eight years, he has provided essential services to his local community, blending technology, customer care, and cultural connection into a thriving small enterprise.

Akinola is not alone. Nigerians in the diaspora have become some of the most successful African entrepreneurs worldwide, building businesses that serve their communities and beyond.

Today, I’m here to talk with him not just about his work, but about the broader phenomenon of African entrepreneurship abroad, a topic I have been researching previously through one-on-one interviews and conversations now mostly using the platform of Obehi Podcast.

What began in 2013, as a small research project in Verona, Italy, has since evolved into a powerful platform connecting the vast African diaspora, which numbers in the hundreds of millions across the globe.

Today, this initiative continues to grow through weekly LinkedIn audio live events, where we explore the art of storytelling—a theme central to my 2023 five-part book series, The Storytelling Mastery. This series emerged directly from the insights gathered during the research, building on two earlier works, The Journey: Africans in Verona and The Color of Our Children.

Together, these conversations and books represent the ongoing evolution of the research, expanding our reach and deepening our engagement with the global African diaspora community.

Over the years, I have spoken with many African business owners in Europe the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world, and what stands out is not just the resilience of these entrepreneurs but their deep sense of purpose.

Of course, it’s no secret that Nigerians are among the most prominent in the African diaspora, often credited with their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt to new environments.

Whether you are in the streets of Paris, London, or New York, you must have come across this entrepreneurial sprite of Nigerians in action, both on a small or large scale.

See also?Best Marketing Strategies for Small and Medium-Scale Farmers in African Agribusiness

While Nigeria’s large population is certainly one factor, there’s something more profound at play. Nigerian entrepreneurs are bringing a unique blend of creativity, community, and business savvy to the global stage, and there’s much that other members of the African diaspora can learn from their example.

Nigerian Success Stories: What Drives Diaspora Entrepreneurs?

When I asked Akinola about his decision to start a business in Verona, his answer was simple but powerful: “My decision to establish this business is borne out of the need to offer quality service to my community.”

In that one sentence, he encapsulated a key trait that I have seen again and again in my conversations with Nigerian entrepreneurs abroad—an unshakable commitment to community service.

For many African immigrants, entrepreneurship isn’t just a means of survival but a way of giving back. It’s about creating something sustainable that helps both the entrepreneur and the community around them.

Akinola’s business, for example, caters not only to the local African diaspora but also to the Italian clients and people of non-African descent in the community. Whether it’s through phone repairs, software services, or money transfers, he’s meeting needs that might otherwise go unmet. Read more at https://aclasses.org/akinola-muiz/