Sometimes we find ourselves at the cross road of our career. It used to seem as if you knew where you were going but suddenly, you
are left to ask the life changing questions; is this really what I
want? Should I go left or right? Should I stick with this or try
something different? Should I follow my passion or stick with what I
have at hand? This happens to the best of us – even the successful
business owners, celebrities and professional we have come to admire.
Yet they were able to figure out their answer. The results of their decisions were successful careers; often beyond their wildest dreams. There story is there to remind and inspire us to make the right decision and go for the life you desire. In no particular order below is a list of 10 successful Nigerians in diverse niches who got to a point in their lives when they had to let go what they have and go for what they really wanted.
Yet they were able to figure out their answer. The results of their decisions were successful careers; often beyond their wildest dreams. There story is there to remind and inspire us to make the right decision and go for the life you desire. In no particular order below is a list of 10 successful Nigerians in diverse niches who got to a point in their lives when they had to let go what they have and go for what they really wanted.
1. Chimamanda Adichie – Writer, Author
Born in the town of Enugu, Chimamanda Adichie studied Medicine and
Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, at the request of her father. She
had always dreamed of becoming a writer, a desire that she credits to
Chinua Achebe, Igbo author of Nigerian masterworkThings Fall Apart. She
quit studying Medicine after a year and a half and left Nigeria at age
19 for the United States to study communications and political science
at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She transferred to Eastern
Connecticut State University to live closer to her sister. Today, she is
a widely celebrated writer with her three bestselling novels; Purple
Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun and her latest novel Americanah (selected
as one of the New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2013)
2. Jason Njoku – Entrepreneur and co-founder Iroko Partners Born in Britain,
after graduating with a 2.1 in Chemistry from University of
Manchester in 2005, Jason Njoku threw himself into launching a magazine
for students called Brash – fuelled by loans from bank and friends, and
youthful enthusiasm; a business he admits his most epic failure. In an
interview with Forbes Africa he said, “I spend a good three years making
every mistake there was to make about how to run a business.” He took a
break in formal employment as a recruitment consultant. But his
entrepreneurial drive got him back on another round. He co-founded ‘Roll
On Friday’ – a blog network and news site for young professionals in
banking, law and consultancy – another failed venture that lasted for
two years. He turned to other business to pay the bills; a T-shirt
company, a web design venture. But defeat led to a revelation; a huge
opportunity in the Nigerian Movie industry, Nollywood. The idea of Iroko
Partners was born. Today, he is the co-founder of IrokoTV, a web
platform that provides Nigerian films on-demand, and one of Africa’s
first mainstream online movie steaming websites, giving free and instant
access to over 5,000 Nollywood film titles.
3. Ibukun Awosika – Entrepreneur, and founder The Chair Centre Ltd
Ms Ibukun Awosika wanted to become a medical doctor when she was in
secondary school, later on, Architect but eventually ended up
graduating with her first degree in Chemistry from the University of
Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). She also took many free
electives in accounting as she had keen interest in banking. Since a
bank job didn’t materialize, She took a sales job at a furniture
company. Three and a half months later, she resigned her position to set
up her own furniture manufacturing company, Quebees Ltd, from which The
Chair Centre Ltd later evolved. She started in January 1989 with 2
carpenters, 2 sprayers and 2 upholsterers from the back of her father’s
house. Today she has grown her business to a net worth of more than
three billion naira ($18.6 million).
4. Okey Bakassi – Actor, Comedian
After his secondary education, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule AKA Okey
Bakassi got admitted into the Rivers State University of Science and
Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, where he studied Agricultural
Engineering and graduated in 1992. This Engineer decided to build his
career around his passion for entertainment. He became a professional
movie actor in 1994 after his national youth service (NYSC). In October
2008, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo
State on Entertainment Industry Matters and served till August 2011.
5. Kate Henshaw – Actress
Kate Henshaw spent one year at the University of Calabar studying
remedial studies, and then majored in Medical Microbiology at the School
of Medical Lab Science, LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital). In
1993 Henshaw, left her career in Medicine to pursue dream to become an
actress. She auditioned for the lead role in the movie When the Sun Sets
and was handed the role. She has starred in over 40 Nollywood movies.
In 2008 she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a
Leading Rolefor the film Stronger than Pain. She is presently one of the
judges on Nigeria’s Got TalentTV reality show.
6. Linda Ikeji – Media Entrepreneur,
Blogger Linda Ikeji was admitted to study English at University of
Lagos contrary to her course choice; Mass Communication. Her lifelong
dream was always to become a journalist. After university, she worked
hard to break into journalism, launching her media company, Blackdove
Communications, a modelling agency and events management outfit. She
began her modelling career in 1998 and gave up in 2005. She started her
magazine in 2006 that didn’t get passed two editions. In the same year,
Linda started her Blog, lindaikeji.blogspot.com.
7 years later, Linda Ikeji’s blog has become the most popular
entertainment online platform in Nigeria; 13th most visited websites in
Nigeria and 2218th in the world. In August 2012, she was listed on
Forbes Africa as one of the highest paid bloggers in Nigeria.
7. Omotola Jalade – Actress, Singer
Omotola’s original career ambition was to work in Business
Management. While awaiting her results from University, she began
modelling to earn a living. She had a brief stint at Obafemi Awolowo
University and finally completed her studies at Yaba College of
Technology Yaba (1996-2004), where she studied Estate Management.
Omotola was introduced to acting by accompanying her model friend to an
audition. Her first acting role was in the 1995 movie, Venom of Justice
directed by Reginald Ebere. She had appeared in over 300 movies,
launched her music career in 2005 and in 2012, launched her reality
show, Omotola: The Real Me on Africa Magic Entertainment.
8. Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi – Entrepreneur and founder of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble
In her second year as an undergraduate law student at the Ahmadu
Bello University in Zaria, Mrs Adenike Ogunlesi opted out of school
unsure of what to do with her life. She then reluctantly accepted her
mother’s invitation to work in her women’s tailor shop. That experience
helped her to discover who she was and what she wanted to do. From a
tiny shop with her and her mother as the main staff, Mrs Adenike turned
Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, to become one of the best manufacturers of children’s
clothing in Nigeria. Today Ruff ‘N’ Tumble is a thriving business with
over 50 employees and distribution along the West African coast.
9. Mr. Frank Nneji – Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO ABC Transport
Mr. Frank Nneji, OON, graduated from the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka in 1982 with his first degree in Biological Sciences. He gave an
early foretaste of what to expect of his life trajectory when he
successfully ran for the position of Transport Officer in the UNN
students union election. He never failed to take an opportunity to make
some pocket money by conveying fellow students to venues of sporting
events for a fee in his personal rugged car. Today, he is the
founder/CEO of Associated Bus Company Plc – operator of ABC Transport, a
clear front-runner in luxury bus operation in West African sub-region.
10. Dr. Raymond Dokpesi Founder DAAR Communications
His full name is Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi. Born in 1951 in
Ibadan, Dr. Dokpesi was part of the pioneer students of University of
Benin Edo state where he did his undergraduate studies. He completed his
studies in University of Gdansk, Poland where he earned his Doctorate
degree in Marine Engineering under the sponsorship of Alharji Bamanga
Tukur who saw him through his secondary school days to his University
level. Dr. Raymond practiced in his field of study working at the
Nigerian Port Authority but he never forgot his first love; showbiz and
entertainment. He decided to put his dream to reality when he conceived
the idea of starting a radio station during the Ibarahim Babaginda
regime when the atmosphere was conducive enough due to the deregulation
of broadcasting in Nigeria. In 1994 he launched the first Nigerian
private FM radio station. Two years later, he launched Africa
Independent Television – (AIT), the first private television network in
Nigeria operated by Daar Communications.
Who would you have wanted on the list? Who is your favourite?
Credit: Afterschoolafrica
