Tomorrow, April 29, Nigerian business tycoon and one of the richest Forbes-rated black men in the world, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. will glide into the leagues of septuagenarians.
Thinking of a catchy pay-off line to describe his mood and reaction to his birthday, it will definitely be ‘Life’s good.’
The phrase ‘Life is good’ aptly captures the current state of the ebullient chairman of Globacom. Those who address him as the spirit of Africa know that he is a man who is hardly seen but immense impact is felt across all boards due to his love for his private lifestyle.
If the Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State-born billionaire investor and businessman is a book, he would be an interesting read from the first page to the very end. In 2013 when he marked his 60th birthday, many of his guests looked forward to buying several copies of his biography titled Mike Adenuga: African business guru but this was not to be as the presentation didn’t come to realisation. It is believed that the book will be a compendium of information on how to run a successful business empire as well as how to be a successful businessman despite the dwindling business space in Nigeria and Africa. It will also be a guide to up-and-coming entrepreneurs and a reference book for those who wish to earn a degree in business and management-related courses.
The book written by ace journalists and biographers, Mike Awoyinfa and Late Dimgba Igwe, outlined the chronicles of his inspiring story as a great African businessman.
For a man who has a flourishing business empire with hands in many pies of businesses in telecommunications, oil and gas and banking, it is not a mistake that he is described as a visionary leader, an exemplary entrepreneur, an outstanding manager of men and resources and a man sharing prosperity to many others.
Even when he had to temporarily relocate to Ghana at the height of his face-off with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he remained dogged and believed in the entity Nigeria, putting the country at the top of his heart.
His emergence marked the beginning of new things in the telecommunication sector, with stronger determination with the introduction of Globacom, which later rescued the country from the jaws of monopoly and opened the way for healthy competition in the industry.
From 1991 when he launched his Consolidated Oil Limited till date, the oil and gas firm has since grown in leaps and bounds after he consolidated his investment in the oil sector with the purchase of National Oil (now Conoil Producing Limited).
Highly blessed with innovative ideas, he introduced modern retail outlets such as mega stations and non-space pumps with Conoil Plc in the downstream sector.
The Otunba Apesin of Ijebu-Land, who cherishes friendship a great deal, loves to put smiles on people’s faces with his generous philanthropy.
In particular, The Mike Adenuga Foundation has positively impacted the lives of so many people within and outside the shores of Nigeria. The Foundation has achieved this by creating or supporting initiatives that deliver knowledge, skills, resources and infrastructure that will stimulate innovation, facilitate commerce, drive enterprise and improve living conditions. Its core programme interests are entrepreneurship, education, health, and rural development. The education programme aims to support the study of disciplines that drive innovation and development.
The Mike Adenuga Fellowship Programme has funded undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships and research fellowships at local and international institutions in various disciplines.
His love for round leather games is legendary. He has changed the face of football on the African continent by contributing to the development of the sport and also sponsoring the Glo-CAF Awards, an annual recognition of African stars featuring in top leagues all over the world. He also loves music so much that he promoted talents using his support and sponsorship for the Glo Naija Sings Reality show to breed new talents.
The French National Order of the Legion of Honour holder was born in 1953 in Ibadan into the family of Chief Michael Agbolade Adenuga Snr. and Madam Oyindamola Adenuga. He is an alumnus of the famous Ibadan Grammar School, Oyo State Nigeria, North Western State University and Pace University both in the U.S.
