By joshua 
FROM A TAXI DRIVER TO BECOMING THE SECOND RICHEST PERSON IN NIGERIA AND 5TH IN AFRICA..
MIKE ADENUGA Born April 29, 1953 in Ibadan, Oyo State, into a family with business and royal Ijebu roots; his father was a teacher and his mother a trader .
Attended Ibadan Grammar School, then Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro. Proceeded to Northwestern Oklahoma State University and earned an MBA from Pace University, New York, working as a taxi driver to fund his education.
Made his first million at age 26 (in 1979) selling soft drinks and lace in Nigeria .
Founded Conoil Producing (originally Consolidated Oil) in 1990. In 1991, struck oil in shallow coastal waters—marking the first commercial oil discovery by an indigenous Nigerian firm .
Expanded into telecoms, starting with a GSM license in 1999 and launching Globacom. After a license hiccup, he secured another in 2003. Glo revolutionized the market with per‑second billing, affordable SIMs, and laid the Glo‑1 submarine cable linking Africa to the UK.
Globacom grew to become Nigeria’s second-largest mobile operator, with significant presence in Ghana, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire .
Conoil Producing now operates six oil blocks in the Niger Delta and delivers roughly 20,000 barrels/day .
Diversified into banking (e.g., Equitorial Trust Bank, Sterling), real estate, aviation, and hospitality, and holds stakes in multiple public companies.
Awarded African Entrepreneur of the Year (2007) .
Honored as Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) by Nigeria in 2012 .
Received the Legion of Honour from France in 2018 .
Forbes estimates his net worth at around $6.8 billion as of early 2025, making him Nigeria’s second-richest person and Africa’s fifth .
His wealth has fluctuated — peaking near $10 billion in 2015, dipping to as low as $3.3–3.6 billion amid currency and sector challenges, then rebounding to $7.4 billion recently.
Founder of the Mike Adenuga Foundation, which supports scholarships, healthcare (e.g., COVID‑19 aid), disaster relief, and cultural projects .
Funded cultural initiatives like the **Alliance Française de Lagos (Mike Adenuga Centre)** .
Known for his meticulous, disciplined mindset and preference for quiet philanthropy.
Mike Adenuga rose from humble beginnings to become a titan of telecoms and oil in Africa.