Over Two Million Nigerians Now Live in China

Alhaji Ademola Olagunju is an illustrious and highly enterprising Nigerian living and doing business in the People’s Republic of China. He has lived in that country since the year 2002. His firm, AOL Global Logistics Ltd was the first Nigerian company to be granted a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) Business License by the Chinese authorities in 2010.

Olagunju’s company today runs six offices in China and maintains strong presence in Hong Kong. The company is also in Nigeria apart from the fact that the man has made a huge investment in the hospitality industry in Lagos.

People & Power’s Ono Laurence  recently spoke with him about his experience doing business and living in far away China. He also talked about the Nigerian community in that country within which he is one of the leaders.

You are a Nigerian businessman living and doing business in China. What was the motivation behind your going to China?

It was the wonderful experience I had doing business in China. My motivation was the need to know the culture, learn the language and then understand the manufacturer’s standard.

To many Nigerians, China is a strange and far away country. Do you not feel strange living in this country?

Not at all sir. China is a wonderful country and it is home away from home.

Would you say China is home?

Yes. It is a wonderful home.

How about your family life? Do you have family in China?

Yes. I have family in China but we are all foreigners.

In your estimation, how many Nigerians would you say, live in Guangzhou, China today?

The population of Nigerians living in China today is more than two million. Around 70% of this population live in Guangzhou.

Tell us the experience of Nigerians living in this country.

Our experiences living in China are varied. People have different challenges. Some have challenges in their areas of specialization. Some have problems with their legal status and so on. But all well and good, Nigerians in China are doing great.

Do you as an African suffer discrimination of any sort on account of your colour?

In the past decades and up till recently, there was no discrimination against Africans. In terms of business achievement, there is no discrimination. But in terms of favour from the government sector, there’s discrimination especially when they know you’re from Nigeria.

Tell us about your experience in business, starting from the very beginning to where you are now.

My experiences in business are a lot but the most important thing is knowing what you want to be. I started in the early stage when China was still in the frying pan and witnessed its transformation into a luxury country which they are right now. It is a fantastic experience.

As far back as 2002, you founded AOL Global Logistics Ltd in Guaugzhou and today you are Chairman of AOL Global Group. How did it all begin?

As I said earlier, it all begins with whom you want to be, determination and hard work. AOL Global Logistics Ltd was founded in 2002 with a 120 square meter office space. I was the Chief Representative by then. As we progressed with integrity and a solid team, our office space increased to 320 square meters two years later. We grew to the point of opening another office in another city called Yiwu in Zhejiang Province in 2006. But before then, in 2005, we opened our first branch in Nigeria called AOL Global Enterprises Ltd.

AOL Global was the first Nigerian company in China to be granted a Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) Business license in 2010. The license is for 50 years and the company was published throughout the China Federation. As of today, AOL Global Logistics Ltd owns six offices in China, three offices in Nigeria under AOL Global Enterprises Ltd and I am Chairman/C.E.O. of AOL Global Group because I manage all the companies till date.

What would you say your achievements in business have been?

One of my most fantastic achievements is the building of a luxury hotel called Home Inn Hotel and Suites in Lagos.

What have been the challenges?

The challenges are normal in any business where you have so many competitors. But the greatest challenge is to manage people especially in Nigeria. There is also the power problem if you are in the hospitality industry. Government should also encourage investors through tax rebates.

You have expanded your business into Hong Kong and you are Chairman of AOL Global International Ltd, Hong Kong. Tell us a bit about this.

AOL Global International Ltd, Hong Kong is for sourcing and procurement. We service many manufacturers around the world.

We know that you also have investment presence in Nigeria. How much impact have you made in business way back in your country?

To be honest, my current business in Nigeria still has a long way to go because of power problem. So many Nigerians in China are ready to invest back home in various sectors but the fear of liquidation is what is holding then back because of power supply. I hope and believe that our government will do something on that soonest.

If you have to advise a Nigerian youth who may want to relocate to China, what would your advise be?

China is a great country with lots of opportunity but it has very strict laws. My advice to any Nigerian who wants to relocate to China is that he must be a law–abiding citizen.