“It Wasn’t Easy at First, But I’ve Grown to Love Baking and School Together” – Nnenna Mary Ikechukwu, Political Science Student and Baker at OAU
April 15, 2025 | 5 MINS READ
Balancing school and running a business isn’t easy, but somehow, Nnenna Mary Ikechukwu, popularly known as N.M.K, makes it work. A 300-level student of Political Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nnenna is not just a student, she’s also a talented baker who has turned her love for sweet treats into a growing business. In this interview with the NAPSS Press Team, she tells us how it all started, what keeps her going, and how she juggles cakes, classes, and customers.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Nnenna Mary Ikechukwu, popularly known as N.M.K, and I’m a 300-level student of the department of political science here at OAU. Although I’m a student, I’m also a passionate baker, and I have been running my business for over a year now. It hasn’t been easy being a student and a baker but, I really cherish the journey so far.
What inspired you to start your baking business, and when did you begin?
I really don’t know if I was inspired, I just knew that growing up whilst I was still in secondary school, I have always had a deep notion in me to have a skill of my own asides my education, that could fetch me some extra cash.
I actually started my baking journey in late 2021 but I took it more seriously in late 2023. All thanks to “Sapa”.
Looking back now, I think I found more passion in baking when after making my baked treats at home, everyone would be so happy and couldn’t stop telling me how much they loved and enjoyed it.
How did you initially start getting customers on campus? Was it mostly word-of-mouth or social media?
I’m a really shy person, although I am working on that. But for me it was social media. At first, I knew nothing on how to run a business online, so I started doing research with my phone. YouTube became my friend. I also joined free classes but still I couldn’t figure it out, most coaches that organize online classes won’t teach you what you really need to know. I had to pay for a course before I started getting clarity.
So far, I’m “learning on the job”, and I am a firm believer that we learn more by actually doing. I’m not there yet but I’m better than a year ago.
Did you ever have to miss classes or social activities to meet orders, and how did you handle those sacrifices?
I actually did and most of the time I miss them because I’m tired and my body can’t afford to go.
About handling them, I would say I’m still in the phase of figuring them out.
Honestly, it’s not just the business and the academics, for me it’s also my physical and mental health, and as of now I just pick my priority but never leave the rest unattended when necessary.
What role did your friends and course mates play in supporting your business?
I am so excited to share this part of my journey. My friends and my course mates have played a huge role in supporting my business. Even before I officially started the business, I was given the job to make small chops for my class’s end-of-session get-together by Genevieve and Haneefah. When I started bringing cakes to class, my classmates made sure they bought it all, Gbosho would buy it for himself and others once he saw me with cake. Hon. Datud literally sold all my cake on the day we had CBT exam, I came late and asked him to help me out. Honestly, the support from everybody was something I never anticipated.
I remember Funke, my ACR, now the Vice President, coming over to help me on the day I was preparing for the trade fair. Gbosho was also in my DM asking me to send broadcast messages to people, he also came around that day and bought a lot for himself and friends. They have all made my journey on this campus easy so far as I don’t know what I would do without them. They patronize my product, they provide help when I need it, I remember having all of them with me at the trade fair as well, they even sold my goods when I had to go back and get other things, they helped to carry my stuff. Victoria is always assisting me when I have bulk orders, John stayed with me till night at the trade fair on two occasions. I’m just grateful and fortunate to be a member of the class of Hoplites. I only referenced a few names, but everyone of course mates have played a significant role in getting me where I am today.
How do you balance academics and entrepreneurship without compromising one for the other?
Saying that I have been balancing both without compromise would be a lie. I stopped finding balance because I think for me, it’s unrealistic. Rather I chose to do what works for me and keeps me at ease.
Here’s what I do, I designate time for each, due to the nature of the business I do, I choose a specific day of the week and the rest is based on preorder. I prefer pre order because it helps me stay in control of my schedules. Also, there are times when I have to put my business on pause for a couple of days or even turn down orders that fall within the period of tests or exams.
And like I said I have only been fully active in business for about a year, so I’m still learning how to make the most out of my time.
What’s the funniest or most unusual order/request you’ve ever received?
I once had one customer request for a Bento cake and birthday card. She requested I write this in the card; “Roses are red, violets are blue. If you leave this friendship, Ogun will kill you!”
I laughed so hard that it became very difficult for me to breathe. I had to post it on my WhatsApp status and my viewers reacted and also found it very hilarious.
One of my viewers also requested the same card and write up for her next order. It was quite a funny and unusual order.
What’s your favorite thing to bake, and why?
My favorite thing to bake is donuts, I just love how beautiful they are after frying them. It’s very soft and delicious.
Can you share one of your most memorable baking experiences on campus, whether good or bad?
One day I had plans to bake at night, around 11pm. After mixing the batter and placing it in the oven to bake, I decided to lay down on my bed to rest for a few minutes. Few minutes turned into 3 hours in an instant and when I woke up, I found out the cake was all burnt to a crisp and I also ran out of gas.
I got really sad. But then again, we move!
What strategies do you use to market your products and attract customers, especially within the campus?
There are so many marketing strategies out there but like I always say; “I stick to what works for me in my niche.”
To market my products and attract customers on campus, I focus on creating good-quality products and showcasing them through engaging visual content, such as behind-the-scenes videos and clean pictures/videos of finished products. I also partner with influencers who have a strong community base on campus, especially on WhatsApp.
Interactive engagement with my audience is also very crucial, so I encourage referrals, reposts, and feedback. Word-of-mouth referrals from friends and customers have also been instrumental in growing my customer base. These are the few strategies that have helped me effectively grow my business here on campus.
How do you manage your time effectively as a student entrepreneur?
Initially, balancing academics and business was challenging, but I adapted and became flexible, determined not to give up on either. To manage my time effectively, I allocate specific times for my business and academics. I also plan my day ahead, especially when I have orders to fulfill or deliver. During critical academic seasons, like tests and exams, I take breaks from my business to focus fully on academics to ensure I don’t disappoint any customer. By prioritizing and adapting, I've been able to navigate the demands of both academics and entrepreneurship and avoid burnouts on my physical or mental health.
If you could bake for anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you bake?
Being a people-person, I can’t say I would want to bake for anyone in particular, but definitely my family and friends. I would make them my favorite, donuts and carrot cake.
Do you plan to continue baking full-time after graduating, or do you have other aspirations?
Yes, I plan on baking full time after graduating, but I still intend to pursue my other aspirations in life.
What is one lesson you have learned from running your business, that you think every aspiring entrepreneur should know?
I have been learning a lot since I started but since you asked, I would say I have come to learn the importance of people to a business. For any business to grow you need people. People, not just in the sense of friends but also your customers. Give them your best. Best products, best customer interaction and best service. When you prioritize and render the best customer service, you don’t need to ask them for referrals, trust me, they’ll do it on their own.
Also, let me chip this in. I have also learnt to stay true and focus on my business vision. It has helped me grow and also avoid a lot of problems from customers and also from people outside the business world as well. In as much as you need them, you have to be able to decipher who is actually meant for you and who is not.
Finally, in all you do as an entrepreneur, don’t forget to apply flexibility and adaptability. It’s very important. I wish you success in all your endeavors. Thank you.
