by Adebayo Ogunbiyi
Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Nigerian billionaire businessman and philanthropist is hitting the platinum on April, 29, 2023 and this calls for a super celebration. He should be celebrated haven made Nigeria the center of his businesses, employing millions and elevating many from poverty in the last 30 years.
The quiet billionaire is smart, suave and clairvoyant, always several steps ahead of others. No wonder he became a millionaire at 26 and proceeded to become a billionaire in his thirties, with two two banks and later oil company in his kitty. What a man!!!!!
His background boasting of first and second degrees from reputable American Universities prepared him sufficiently for the battle ahead and he prepared himself as well. He was determined and totally focused, hence his achievements at early age which lend credence to the fact that a man with big ambition and determination will always crush the obstacles. Dr, Adenuga moved in , surmount all the hurdles and became victorious.
By 50 years of age, he added Globacom the Nigeria telecoms giant to his collection and since then he became a global player, with businesses across the world. One of the hallmark of Dr, Adenuga is discipline. His businesses were administered with utmost efficiency that saw each of them becoming success stories over a very short period of time.
One aspect where his constant determination showed was in in 2001, when he entered Nigeria telecommunications industry. Then when the Obasanjo’s Government offered GSM licences bid to businesses . He bided for a licence but lost out but being a determined person, he refused to back out, his company, ICL lost $20m the first time but he returned back powerfully and was rewarded with bigger package, which is now Globacom, the only indigenous GSM Company which he has nurtured to the peak of telecomm industry in Nigeria in the last 20 years
.Globacom, the telecommunication giant commenced services in Nigeria on 29th of August, 2003 with a vision to be the market leading service provider in the country. The company from inception to date has demonstrated its commitment to creating value with its products and services, thus empowering millions of Nigerians in the process.
While other networks, which started operations about two years earlier, claimed that “per second billing” was impossible Adenuga outwitted them convincingly with Glo entering the market in a grand style and offering Nigerians the elusive per second package, thus justifying its inaugural pay off line; people, power and possibilities and eventually forcing other networks to follow suit to the delight of millions of Nigerians. Its unique straplines continue to resonate with the company’s focus. From Glo with pride to Rule your World to Unlimited, each has always demonstrated the company’s determination to excel ad set the pace.
Adenuga ‘s astute leadership has led Globacom to achieving many outstanding successes over the last 20 years. It has a record of many firsts in the Nigerian Telecommunications Industry and has remained a pacesetter in spite of rolling out its services two years after other networks have started operations. Some of the record of firsts including championing per second billing, first to implement 2.5 G network in Nigeria, first to implement 3G network in Nigeria, first to offer 4 G LTE, first to offer Blackberry solutions in Nigeria and first to launch of submarine cable (GLO 1) which provides efficient and fast broadband internet services.
Over fifty million subscribers are currently on the Glo network enjoying access to high quality products and affordable telecom services.
One of the major beneficiary of Globacom is Nollywood in Nigeria and in Ghana (Ghollywood) with notable actors and actresses chosen as Glo Ambassadors. This move and many others had empowered African arts and culture. The sponsorship of several cultural festivals in its areas of operation is another aspect of its Corporate Social Responsibilities which has resonated with the people. In addition to these are countless donations and support by Dr. Adenuga in different parts of the country, thus empowering Nigerians in different areas of human endeavour.
The company is also noted for different customer-friendly product and services which its subscribers have been enjoying in the last 20 years, thus showing the network’s commitment to empowering Nigerians and giving them access to the best value and pricing.
Congratulations to Dr. Mike Adenuga jnr.(GCON) for making statement through Globacom that all things are possible through determination, focus and hard work. He led the pack, setting the standard for young and upcoming Nigerians to believe in themselves and their country. He has also changed many lives through unrivalled philanthropy.
According to Henry James, ” Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind and the third is to be kind.” – This is what Dr, Adenuga stands for. A kind billionaire at 70, a man that God has blessed and is blessing mankind enormously.
Happy Birthday, Sir.
Ogunbiyi works at Telecoms Digest in Lagos.
