From Petty Trade to Ownership of Telecom Giant: 7 Facts About Nigeria’s 2nd Richest Man Mike Adenuga @ 68
Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga is a role model to many Nigerians aspiring to greatness. Adenuga succeeded in building his business empire due to his love for entrepreneurship at an early age.
As he clocks 68 on Thursday, April 29, Legit.ng presents seven facts about the business mogul.
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1. Attended Ibadan Grammar School
Mike Adenuga attended Ibadan Grammar School for his secondary education and proceeded to Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro for his Higher School Certificate.
2. He was a taxi driver
The billionaire businessman was a taxi driver in New York, United States. He had to fend for himself and pay his tuition fee with his job as a driver in the US, Nairametrics reports.
Apart from being a taxi driver, Adenuga also sold soft drinks and lace materials to earn a living.
Source: Getty Images
3. Made his first million at 26
When many people still find it difficult to make millions at 50, Adenuga made his first million at the age of 26. Being a business-oriented person at an early age paid off for Adenuga. The business mogul inherited his business sense from his mother.
4. He is Nigeria's second richest person
Adenuga is the second richest person in the country and one of the top richest people on the African continent. According to Forbes, his net worth stands at $6.1 billion (N2,318,000,000,000). He is trailing Aliko Dangote, who is the richest person in Nigeria and Africa.
A lot of people look up to Adenuga as he has continued to expand his wealth and take his business beyond the shores of Nigeria.
5. His Conoil journey
In 1990, Adenuga obtained the drilling licence and started exploration with Consolidated Oil in Ondo state. This was after Professor Jibril Aminu, Nigeria's petroleum minister during General Ibrahim Babangida's regime, made a new policy that made it possible for individuals to venture into oil exploitation and exploration.
6. Owns the third largest mobile network operator in Nigeria
The business mogul is the founder of Globacom, which is the third largest mobile network operator in Nigeria, with 55 million subscribers.
Globacom played a major role in Nigeria's telecommunication sector as it ensured that call tariffs and data prices were slashed.
7. He is a philanthropist
Adenuga is a wealthy man who understands that giving back to society is one of the ways to appreciate God's blessings. Through his foundation, Mike Adenuga Foundation, he helps people in Nigeria and other African countries.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously highlighted Aliko Dangote's four businesses and how the wealthiest person in Africa started his empire with a loan from his uncle.
Aliko's grandfather, Sanusi Dantata, became his guardian after he lost his father in 1965. He learnt so much from this guardian angel as he grew up.
After graduating from tertiary institution in 1977, Dangote took a loan from his uncle to start a business.
Source: Legit.ng
