Nigerian Immigrant Turned Brooklyn Restaurateur Tells His Story

Lookman Mashood immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria in 1996, working in a restaurant as a dishwasher, cook and manager for several years. About five years ago, he and his girlfriend opened a restaurant in Brooklyn featuring Nigerian food. It’s called Buka, a Hausa word meaning a simple roadside joint, with good food and no pretensions. Mashood, now a U.S. citizen, tells his story.