Mike Adenuga facts for kids

Chief Mike Adenuga Jr. was born on April 29, 1953. He is a very successful Nigerian businessman. Many people know him as one of the richest people in Africa.

He started a big company called Globacom. This company helps people talk on their phones and use the internet. Globacom is one of the largest phone companies in Nigeria. It also works in other countries like Ghana and Benin. Mike Adenuga also has businesses in banking and oil.

Early Life and Education

Mike Adenuga grew up in Nigeria. His father was a teacher. His mother was a businesswoman. She came from a royal family of the Ijebu people.

He went to Ibadan Grammar School for his high school education. He also studied at Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro. To help pay for his university studies, he worked as a taxi driver. He later went to universities in the United States. He studied Business Administration at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University in New York.

How He Started His Businesses

Mike Adenuga became very successful at a young age. He made his first million dollars when he was 26 years old. This was in 1979. He earned money by selling special fabrics called lace. He also distributed soft drinks.

In 1990, he got a special license to drill for oil. The next year, his company, Consolidated Oil, found oil. This happened in the shallow waters of Southwestern Ondo State. This made his company the first Nigerian company to find oil in large amounts.

He also got a license for mobile phone services in 1999. After some changes, he received another license in 2003. This allowed him to start Globacom.

Awards and Recognition

Mike Adenuga has received many important awards. In 2007, he was named the African Entrepreneur of The Year. This award was given at the first African Telecoms Awards.

In 2012, the Nigerian government honored him. He was given the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger. This is a very high honor in Nigeria.

He also holds a traditional title. He is known as the "Otunba Apesin" of the Ijebu people. This is a special chieftaincy title.

In 2018, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, honored him. Mike Adenuga received the insignia of a Commander of the Legion of Honour. This is a very important award from France.

In 2019, New African magazine listed him. He was named one of the Top 100 most influential Africans.

See Also

• List of Yoruba people