Adenuga: The King of hearts @ 73

A businessman by title, but a king by heart, he leads not just with strategy, but with compassion. His wealth is measured beyond profit. It is seen in the innumerable lives touched,vast opportunities created, and hope restored. In boardrooms, he is decisive; in communities, he is generous, using all that the Great Architect of the universe bestowed on him in the furtherance of the cause of culture and its attendant values He gives always; uplifts without seeking applause. Integrity crowns his dealings, and kindness defines his legacy. Where others build empires, he builds people. Truly, he is the king of hearts who is not just respected for his business acumen but cherished in life and adored for the difference he makes every single day.

The street sweepers of Lagos burst into songs of mirth when his name is called because, under the umbrella of The Mike Adenuga Foundation, they found succour.

For over seven decades, Dr. Mike Adeniyi Isola Agbolade Adenuga Jr. has walked the earth with a clear conviction: wealth must circulate to fulfil its purpose. Born of the industrious spirit of a businesswoman mother and shaped by the discipline of a teacher father, Adenuga’s life affirms a simple truth-if one desires greatly, one can achieve abundantly, enough to share.

His remarkable journey from trading to commanding heights in banking, oil and gas, telecommunications, and real estate tells a compelling story of resilience and belief in possibility. It is no surprise that Globacom, his flagship enterprise, is anchored on the alliterative creed: people, power, possibilities.

Writing a tribute in celebration of Dr. Michael Agbolade Isola Adeniyi Adenuga Jr., GCON, CSG, is an enduring pleasure like a rich burst of honey upon the palate of the mellivorous.

One of the few in human history to be conferred France’s Commander of the Legion of Honour (Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur), Adenuga stands tall, literally and figuratively, as a beacon of light in a world too often dimmed by uncertainty. The award, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is the third highest rank of the French National Order of Merit conferred strictly on people of exceptional accomplishments.

This international award sums up Adenuga’s impact, which has crossed the borders of the African continent.

At seventy-three, he towers above his peers not merely as a symbol of success but as a monument of significance. Beyond the annual Forbes listings that measure wealth in dollars, Adenuga’s life is more meaningfully defined by the nation he has helped to build and shape. While many count prosperity in currency and assets, his riches are reckoned in transformed lives, strengthened institutions, and a legacy woven into the very fabric of Nigeria.

He understood early that wealth without purpose is hollow, and success without service is incomplete. Thus, he chose a higher calling;not only to build businesses, but to build people; not merely enterprises, but hope. He became a midwife of dreams, nurturing not just his own destiny, but those of millions connected, directly or indirectly, to his expansive vision.

As an entrepreneur, he created opportunities where few existed. Industries blossomed because he dared to invest-his time, his resources, and his vision. Families flourished because he chose to employ thousands, directly and indirectly. Young minds found direction because he believed in mentorship. His leadership has generated not just profit but progress. His enterprises have become platforms for empowerment, strengthening the economic backbone of the nation. Indeed, infrastructure like the Glo-1 submarine cable has served as a digital spine for education, SMEs, and diverse sectors across Nigeria and beyond.

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In turbulent times within the telecommunications sector, he stood firm. He promised to democratise access to telephony, placing phones in the hands of ordinary Nigerians. And, he kept his word. When compromise would have been expedient, he chose principle, championing per-second billing even when it seemed commercially risky. His name commands respect, not out of fear, but out of honour. Where others saw obstacles, he saw opportunity; where others hesitated, he moved with courage. He believed in the potential of his nation,its people, its youth, its future long before such belief became fashionable.

The seeds he planted decades ago have grown into mighty baobabs and kapok trees, offering shade to countless lives. In many instances, they have rewritten destinies, lifting people out of poverty. Like the fast-spreading Creeping Jenny, his fibre-optic investments stretch across oceans and difficult terrains, delivering connectivity and opportunity across vast landscapes.

Yet beyond boardrooms and balance sheets, his greatest wealth lies in his character, his empathy, his quiet generosity, his unmistakable signature of compassion.

Perhaps his most remarkable achievement is balance. He built immense success without losing his humanity and amassed great wealth without surrendering compassion. His philanthropy has touched countless lives-restoring hope to the weary and dignity to the struggling. Stories abound: a father on the brink of withdrawing his child from an overseas school due to financial hardship finds unexpected relief; quiet interventions that restore broken paths. Time and again, Adenuga invests-silently but profoundly in human dignity.

Leaders have emerged under his mentorship. Innovations have flourished through his support.

Families have endured because of his generosity. His influence transcends sectors; it resonates across society. He leads with authority yet remains grounded in humility. His home reflects the same excellence as his enterprises-a sanctuary of love, wisdom, and unity.

The opening image of Lagos street sweepers rejoicing at his name is no isolated anecdote.

Through The Mike Adenuga Foundation, he has uplifted workers long overlooked, equipping many with skills and restoring dignity. Widows and vulnerable women across Nigeria still recall, with gratitude, the generous food relief packages delivered to their homes. His recent donation of ₦1 billion to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund underscores his commitment to public safety and institutional strength. This joins a long list of interventions: substantial contributions to the fight against COVID-19, relief for flood victims in Bayelsa State, annual charity initiatives supporting orphanages and the vulnerable, and countless other acts of giving—many deliberately kept out of the public eye.

Seventy-three is more than a milestone; it is a testament—to endurance, to lessons learned, to battles, fought, and victories earned. It is the story of a man who has not merely lived through history but helped to shape it.

As the world marks this anniversary of a life gifted to Africa—and indeed to humanity—I join many others not merely to applaud his achievements but to honour his enduring contributions. His life reminds us that true greatness lies not in what we accumulate but in what we give; not in possession, but in impact.

His legacy is not inscribed in gold but in gratitude-in the thankful hearts of a nation touched by his vision and benevolence. His wealth is measured not only in material terms, but in wisdom, integrity, compassion, and an influence so vast that words can scarcely contain it.

And as he steps beyond this platinum milestone, may his influence continue to inspire, his voice continue to guide, and his legacy continue to flourish for generations yet unborn.

As always, Aseyisamodun, sir!

•OLUBANJO is a Senior Manager with Globacom.