Mike Adenuga is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Globacom and Chairman of Conoil, two of Africa’s most influential companies that have reshaped telecommunications and energy sectors across the continent. As a business magnate whose ventures span telecom, oil, banking, real estate, and media, Adenuga has built enterprises that drive infrastructure development, economic participation, and technological innovation. His leadership has positioned him as one of Africa’s most consequential entrepreneurs, demonstrating the transformative power of homegrown enterprise.
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Born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adenuga showed early signs of entrepreneurial acumen. He worked as a taxi driver to support his university education, later earning degrees in Business Administration in the United States and an MBA from Pace University in New York. At 26, he made his first million selling lace and distributing soft drinks, a foundation that would propel him into oil exploration and telecommunications. These formative experiences shaped Adenuga’s vision of combining business excellence with societal impact.
Under Adenuga’s leadership, Globacom has grown into Nigeria’s second largest mobile network operator with operations in Ghana and Benin, introducing innovations such as per second billing to expand affordable access. He also oversaw the launch of Glo‑1, a major submarine fibre‑optic cable linking West Africa to Europe, strengthening connectivity and digital infrastructure. Conoil, his energy company, was among the first indigenous firms to strike oil commercially, creating local value and positioning Nigerian talent and resources at the forefront of the energy sector.
Adenuga’s influence extends beyond corporate success. His ventures have created thousands of jobs and driven investment across multiple sectors while supporting initiatives in sports, entertainment, education, and community development. His achievements have earned him widespread recognition, including Nigeria’s Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) in 2012, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and the Special Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary Award in 2010. Internationally, he has been honoured with Ghana’s Companion of the Star of Ghana in 2016, France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2017, and elevated to Commander of the Legion of Honour in 2018. He has also received industry and media accolades including African Telecoms Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Decade by THISDAY in 2020, Silverbird Man of the Year in 2009, Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Business Personality in the Last 50 Years in 2010, and Pillar of Football in Africa for his support of sports development. Academic institutions such as the University of Ibadan and Olabisi Onabanjo University have conferred honorary doctorates recognising his leadership and economic contributions. These honours collectively underscore Adenuga’s transformative influence across business, society, and the African continent.
Looking ahead, Mike Adenuga continues to expand his business footprint and invest in initiatives that foster technological advancement, human capital development, and continental economic growth. His long-term vision prioritizes African participation in global industries and illustrates how strategic leadership, entrepreneurial courage, and sustained impact can drive transformative change across multiple sectors.
