Follow Us on Google
By Christy Anyanwu
Esther Oke Ikhioya is a computer science graduate and information technology professional.
After relocating from Nigeria to Cardiff, Wales in 2023, Esther transformed her lifelong love for dance into Ayaoba Fit & Dance, a fitness initiative that blends Afrobeats rhythms with Zumba to promote healthy living. Today, she is inspiring people of all backgrounds to embrace wellness, confidence and community through the universal language of movement. In this interview with Sunday Sun, she went down memory lane to share her success story.
What inspired you to transition from a career in IT and healthcare administration into dance and fitness entrepreneurship?
Honestly, I wouldn’t really call it a transition from IT and healthcare administration into dance and fitness entrepreneurship. I see it more as an addition to my career and the knowledge I already have. My background in IT and healthcare administration is actually deeply embedded in what I do now in dance and fitness entrepreneurship.
So all the skills and experiences I gained from my previous career paths still support what I do today. That’s why I say it’s not really a transition, but more of an integration of my existing skills into something I already love and am passionate about. I love dancing, I love staying fit, and while genetics may help, I still believe in putting in the work to stay healthy, active, and in shape.
You earned a first-class degree in Computer Science from Covenant University. Did you ever imagine dance would one day become central to your career journey?
While I was in school, I was also part of the dance team, and honestly, balancing academics and dance was not always easy. But dance had always been a passion of mine, so I always made myself available for it. You know how people often ask what else a child naturally loves doing? For me, dance was that thing. It was something I loved so deeply that even when I wasn’t feeling well, I could still dance. It was more than just a hobby for me, it was a genuine passion. In fact, it was something that emotionally moved me so much that if I couldn’t dance, it could literally bring me to tears.
At the same time, education was also very important to me, which is why I pursued my degree seriously and graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Science. I saw it more as something I would continue doing out of love, maybe performing in church, at birthdays, teaching people occasionally, or simply sharing it with others.
Tell us about “Magic Moves.” What inspired you to start the dance troupe, and what impact did it have on the community in Tbilisi?
Magic Moves was honestly born from both passion and what I would call divine direction. At the time, I was already teaching Afrobeat dance in a dance studio in Georgia, and I was getting paid for it as well. Through that journey, I met someone who shared the same passion for dance and also saw leadership potential in me. They believed I had the ability not only to dance, but also to lead and carry people along.
That person encouraged me to start something bigger, and after thinking about it and praying about it, I decided to take the step. I wanted to build a group of people who were genuinely passionate about dance and people who would stay committed regardless of life’s challenges.
At that time, we were all students, all pursuing different goals and careers, but dance was something we all took seriously because it was part of who we were. That was how Magic Moves started. We began gradually, growing from two people to three, then four, five, six, and eventually many more before I later relocated to the United Kingdom.
Through Magic Moves, we had opportunities to participate in performances, events, modelling projects, movies, and dance-related activities whenever African representation was needed.
Culture naturally brings people together, and our dance group became a bridge that connected people through music, movement, and creativity.
When you relocated to Cardiff in 2023, what gap did you notice in the wellness or dance scene that led to the birth of Ayaoba Fit & Dance?
When I relocated to Cardiff, the first thing I wanted to do was understand the environment and the people. I was coming from Georgia, where not everyone spoke English, and then moving to Wales where people had a different accent and also had Welsh as part of their culture. So I took my time to settle in, observe, and connect with people around me. Through work, church, and everyday interactions, I got the opportunity to meet amazing people from different backgrounds. I listened to their experiences, their daily routines, their struggles, and the pressures they were dealing with. At the same time, dance had always remained part of my life.
While observing the lifestyle around me, I noticed a gap in the wellness and dance space. A lot of people wanted to move their bodies, stay active, or even dance, but many lacked motivation, encouragement, or a supportive environment to do so. I would hear people say things like, ‘I want to dance,’ or ‘I want to exercise,’ but they didn’t know where to start or where to go. When I searched around, I found dance spaces, including African dance communities, but I noticed there weren’t many spaces that combined fun, fitness, motivation, and community in a way that felt accessible to everyday people.
That was where the vision for Ayaoba Fit & Dance started to grow. I began thinking about how dance and fitness could work together in a way that didn’t feel stressful or intimidating. That was what led me toward Zumba and dance fitness because it combines exercise with fun.
Why did you choose Zumba and Afrobeat as the foundation for your fitness brand?
I chose Zumba and Afrobeats as the foundation of my fitness brand because they both naturally combine movement, energy, culture, and fun.
I wanted to create a fitness experience that didn’t feel stressful or intimidating, but instead felt enjoyable and motivating for people.
Zumba already blends dance and fitness together, allowing people to exercise while having fun through music and movement. Afrobeats then brought in the cultural and energetic side that connected deeply with me and with many people in the community. It gave Africans a space to enjoy and express their culture through music and dance, while also introducing others who love Afrobeats music to African dance styles and trending moves.
Ayaoba was officially launched on your birthday. What emotions did you feel seeing people connect through your class?
Launching Ayaoba Fit & Dance on my birthday was honestly a huge step of faith for me. The idea first came up during a conversation about what I truly wanted to do for my birthday, and deep down, I knew this was something I had been thinking and praying about for a while. I had a few amazing people around me who encouraged me and believed in what they saw in me, and that support gave me the confidence to finally take the step.
The Chapter Arts Centre event has been described as energetic and glamorous. What made that evening special for you personally?
What made the Chapter Arts Centre event special for me personally was the genuine energy, support, and connection from everyone who attended. Seeing people fully participate, enjoy themselves, and even talk afterward about how exhausted but happy they felt was very emotional for me. It showed me that people were truly connecting with the experience and not just attending out of obligation.
Many people struggle with motivation or body confidence when it comes to exercise. What would you say to someone who feels intimidated about joining a dance fitness class?
I would say to anyone who feels intimidated about joining a dance fitness class that dance fitness is for everybody , not just advanced dancers or super fit people. You do not need to be perfect to start. It’s simply about moving your body, following along, having fun, and enjoying the process.
I also understand those struggles personally because I have faced challenges too, which is why I created Ayaoba Fit & Dance to help motivate and encourage people in a safe and positive environment. So my message would be: don’t be afraid to start. Just come as you are, move at your own pace, and allow yourself to enjoy the experience. The goal is progress, confidence, happiness, and wellness and we are on that journey together.
