For decades, Delhi has been home to hundreds of migrants from Nigeria. Living here for two to three generations, some of them even run businesses in the city, coming back here after vacations in their home country. "That's because this is where we belong," they say.

The largest group from the African continent in Delhi, Nigerians are involved in businesses ranging from restaurants, hair salons and beauty parlours to shops selling authentic Nigerian herbs and spices.

Jacob has been frequenting the city for the past three years. "The place offers so much in terms of business," he says. "There's a huge demand for African films and music, and I take back orders from here." He, however, feels that language is a barrier, as most people in Delhi speak in Hindi, which leaves him fumbling for words.

But unlike him, Okoya, who came to India in the 1970s, says he has never had any difficulty adjusting. He runs a superstore that sells African and Indian foodstuffs. Okoya says that like him, many of his countrymen come to India seeking greener pastures. "While many work hard and establish a base here, some get drawn into illegal trades," he says.

There have been instances when, unable to find jobs and having run out of money, Nigerians have become easy prey for criminal elements. This has led to some entrepreneurs offering support to students from African countries, who come to study in the universities in Delhi. John stocks books that cater to youngsters from Africa. He also counsels students on various matters related to immigration and visas. He admits that many of his countrymen have come to be associated with smuggling, drug trafficking and other crimes, and that the community is increasingly being eyed with suspicion in India.

A senior police officer said the situation is unfortunate. "Nigerians are largely law-abiding citizens, who try to keep a low profile and go about their work in a professional manner," he said. "The community as a whole cannot be blamed just because some of them have committed crimes."

Mansah, who lives in Delhi with her husband and children, finds Delhiites quite sociable and the city's health facilities top-grade.

"The only flip side to staying here are the shopkeepers. The fruit and vegetable vendors try to fleece us, but, with time, one learns to bargain with them," she says.

Bright and Jeffrey Akuma are brothers who run the A&G Afro Shop, a restaurant-cum-shop tucked into the alleys of the PVR Anupam Shopping Complex at Saket. Opened in 2010, the eatery has become a comfort zone for homesick Nigerians craving authentic flavours and dishes from home.

A trained chef, Akuma came to India in 2007 for cardiac treatment. But he did not like the food that was served to him in hospital, and this gave him the idea to open a restaurant of his own. His eatery today serves non-spicy Nigerian delights, including okro soup and jollof rice, cooked with herbs.

"We stock up on the ingredients, including packets of ogbono seeds, achi powder and bitterleaf that are used to make various kinds of soup. The shop also sells various spices, herbs, noodles and dried fish," he said. "Our restaurant is not only popular among the African community, there are many Indians as well who are regular customers here."

To cater to the new customer base, he has introduced a non-vegetarian dish that includes cauliflower, broccoli, bell pepper and carrot. But though the dish has an Indian look, it has a perfect Nigerian taste. Most of his customers, he says, are Nigerian but some are from South Africa, Ghana, Namibia and the Congo.

Godson Franklin is one of the founders of the African Spices outlet, which opened in 2008 in the INA market. Realising that his fellow Africans were missing the spices and condiments of their home country, he began stocking herbs, palm oil, and African films and music in his shop. He has recently moved to a posh locale, Safdarjung Enclave, but continues to serve his people.

Abege, among those who have raised a family in Delhi, came to the city more than 15 years ago. "People had many complaints then," she says. "One was lack of professional African salons. Since African hair is difficult to manage or braid in the customary style, I decided to open a hair salon here."

Abege goes to Nigeria every two years to meet her relatives and friends, she says, but comes back "home" to "offer my clients my expertise and new hair techniques".

She is not keen on going back. "I have spent half my life here and have adopted the food and culture of this country," she says. "I love sarson ka saag and makke ki roti as much as any Delhiite."

Abege is, however, upset about the fact that many people in upmarket areas in Delhi refuse to rent out their apartments to Nigerians. "They are suddenly apologetic, giving weird reasons when they see Africans," she says.

Nilima Pathak is a journalist based in New Delhi.