Mike Adenuga, full name Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr., is a prominent Nigerian businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Globacom, a telecommunications company, and Conoil Producing, an oil exploration and production firm. Adenuga is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest individuals in Africa.
Mike Adenuga was born on April 29, 1953, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He hails from the Yoruba ethnic group. Adenuga’s father was a schoolteacher, and his mother was a trader. He obtained his early education at the Ibadan Grammar School before moving to the United States to continue his studies.
In the US, Adenuga attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Pace University, where he studied Business Administration. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the same institution. Adenuga worked briefly as a taxi driver and security guard to support his education.
After completing his studies, Adenuga returned to Nigeria in the late 1970s and began his business ventures. He started with trading in commodities such as lace, soft drinks, and other consumer goods. His entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen led him to diversify into various sectors, including telecommunications and oil exploration.
In 1999, Mike Adenuga founded Globacom, a telecommunications company that provides mobile network services in Nigeria and other African countries. Globacom has grown to become one of the leading telecommunications operators in Nigeria, competing with established companies in the industry. Adenuga’s company expanded its operations to countries like Ghana and Benin Republic.
Additionally, Adenuga is the founder and majority shareholder of Conoil Producing, a company involved in oil exploration and production in Nigeria. Conoil Producing operates several oil blocks in the Niger Delta region and has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s oil industry.
Mike Adenuga’s business ventures have earned him numerous accolades and recognition both in Nigeria and internationally. He has received awards for his contributions to entrepreneurship, telecommunications, and philanthropy.
