Twenty-two years ago, on 29 August 2003, Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape changed forever. A bold new entrant called Globacom emerged, not just to compete for market share, but to democratise access to communication, redefine service delivery, and make technology an empowering force for the people. From the moment it introduced per-second billing — a feat that established players had long claimed was impossible — Globacom positioned itself as a business that would never follow the crowd, but would lead with innovation and courage.
As Globacom celebrates its 22nd anniversary, it stands as more than a telecommunications company. It is a symbol of possibility, positivity, a story of indigenous ingenuity, and the reflection of one man’s extraordinary vision. That man is Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON — entrepreneur, industrialist, philanthropist, and arguably one of Africa’s most accomplished business icons. His journey from a determined young Nigerian to a continental business leader is that of grit, foresight, and an unyielding belief that Africa can build and own global-standard enterprises.
Born Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Ishola Adenuga Jr. on 29 April 1953, Dr. Adenuga embodies the spirit of enterprise that defines Nigeria’s modern economic story. Educated in Ibadan, he thereafter pursued his studies in the United States, earning degrees in business administration. Upon returning to Nigeria, he found that opportunity and ambition collided with infrastructural limitations. Yet, he saw potential where others saw obstacles. From those beginnings, he built an empire that today spans telecommunications, oil and gas, banking, property development, and technology infrastructure.
His flagship enterprise, Globacom, is perhaps the most visible expression of that vision. But to understand Glo is to understand the philosophy that drives its founder — a philosophy that views business not merely as a profit-making venture, but as an avenue for national transformation, job creation, social empowerment, and cultural renaissance.
When Globacom entered the Nigerian market, mobile telephony was still an elite privilege. Calls were expensive, SIM cards cost small fortunes, and per-minute billing meant that many Nigerians rationed their conversations as though they were paying for gold. Dr. Adenuga changed all that overnight. With Globacom’s entry, per-second billing became a reality, the price of SIM cards crashed, and millions of Nigerians gained access to mobile communication for the first time. It was more than a business move; it was liberation. Glo became the people’s network — the brand that spoke their language, understood their struggles, and offered real value.
But Adenuga’s ambitions did not stop at voice telephony. He recognised early that the future of global commerce and human interaction would be defined by data — by the speed, reliability, and affordability of the Internet. In 2010, he unveiled Glo-1, the first privately owned submarine fibre-optic cable connecting Nigeria directly to the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. The significance of that project cannot be overstated. For the first time, a Nigerian company was not just consuming international bandwidth; it was creating it, exporting it, and shaping the continent’s digital future. Glo-1 broke the boundaries of speed and capacity, reducing latency, improving efficiency, and powering the Internet backbone that underpins much of Nigeria’s modern digital economy.
This infrastructure investment has had a multiplier effect on virtually every sector — from banking and fintech to media, education, health, and e-commerce. It has positioned Globacom not merely as a telecom’s operator, but as a technology enabler. The company’s expansive fibre-optic network across Nigeria continues to connect cities, communities, and underserved regions, ensuring that access to communication and data is not a privilege of the few but a right for all.
It is this ability to think ahead, to invest broadly, and to deliver consistently that defines Adenuga’s business philosophy. In an era when many entrepreneurs chase quick returns, he builds for generations. His empire is vast, but it is also deeply integrated. In the oil and gas sector, through Conoil Producing and Conoil Plc., he has built one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy companies, active both in the upstream and downstream segments. Conoil Producing became the first Nigerian company to strike oil in commercial quantities under the nation’s marginal field programme — a landmark that expanded indigenous participation in a sector once dominated by multinationals.
In banking, Adenuga’s early ventures – including Devcom Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank — played pivotal roles before the era of mergers and consolidation that reshaped Nigeria’s financial industry. His continuing investments in financial services through Sterling Financial Holding Company reflect his belief in a diversified, resilient economy driven by indigenous capital. In real estate, through Cobblestone Properties & Estates Limited and other ventures, he has contributed to redefining Nigeria’s urban skylines with premium developments that blend luxury, functionality, and design excellence.
Yet for all his business triumphs, Dr. Adenuga remains a profoundly private man — modest in speech, monumental in vision. He shuns the limelight, preferring results to rhetoric. He rarely shows up at graded events, the way other remarkable Nigerian bigwigs and deep pockets intentionally throw their weight around. Those close to him describe a leader who is both exacting and compassionate; who demands excellence but rewards loyalty; who thinks several steps ahead but never loses touch with the human dimension of business.
That human dimension finds its most visible expression in the Mike Adenuga Foundation (MAF) -the philanthropic arm through which he channels significant resources to humanitarian causes. The foundation supports education, healthcare, and community development across Nigeria and other parts of Africa. It has been instrumental in providing relief during national crises, scholarships for indigent students, and support for social enterprises that empower women and young people. For Adenuga, philanthropy is not a publicity stunt; it is a responsibility, a moral duty to lift others as one climbs.
Globacom’s corporate social investment strategy mirrors this philosophy. Over the years, Glo has become synonymous with empowerment, innovation, and cultural preservation. The company’s sponsorship of major cultural festivals such as the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode and the Ofala Festival in Onitsha has redefined the intersection of commerce and culture. These sponsorships are not mere marketing gestures; they represent a deliberate effort to preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, promote tourism, and foster social cohesion. By aligning with festivals that celebrate tradition, community, and continuity, Globacom is investing in the soul of the nation –ensuring that modernity does not erase memory.
The company’s social impact also extends to sports, entertainment, and youth development. From sponsoring national football teams to supporting music and comedy talent hunts, Globacom has consistently created platforms for Nigerian youths to shine. Its “Glo Battle of the Year” dance competition, “Glo Laffta Fest” comedy shows, and music sponsorships have produced stars who now represent Nigeria on global stages. Through these initiatives, Glo is not only nurturing creativity but also creating livelihoods and global ambassadors for Nigerian talent.
As Globacom celebrates its 22nd anniversary, its story is replete with resilience. The telecom industry is unforgiving–capital-intensive, technology-driven, and fiercely competitive. Many operators that began around the same time have faded or been absorbed. Glo has not only survived; it has thrived. Its subscriber base, estimated at over 60 million, speaks to its relevance, reach, and trust. Its infrastructure investments, particularly in broadband, are positioning it as a central player in Nigeria’s journey towards digital inclusion and economic diversification.
That success has not come without challenges. The operating environment remains complex — with regulatory hurdles, infrastructure vandalism, foreign exchange volatility, and rising operational costs. Yet, Adenuga’s long-term view continues to guide the company’s response. His approach blends prudence with audacity, patience with decisive action. He invests heavily in technology, human capital, and innovation — understanding that competitiveness in today’s market depends not on price wars alone, but on customer experience, network reliability, and brand authenticity.
Beyond the business realm, Dr. Adenuga’s influence looms large over Nigeria’s socio-economic narrative. He is an employer of thousands, a generator of immense tax revenue, and a mentor by example. His success story reinforces the notion that African entrepreneurship can compete globally, that Nigerian companies can build world-class infrastructure, and that private enterprise can serve public good. His business model offers a counter-narrative to the stereotype of wealth without impact. It shows that success can be sustainable, inclusive, and transformative.
It is little wonder that he is often described as “The Bull” — a nickname that captures both his symbol and spirit: powerful, determined, and unstoppable. His persona commands respect not through flamboyance but through achievement. Over the years, he has been honoured nationally and internationally, including the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of Nigeria’s highest national honours. His offices in Lagos, the Mike Adenuga Towers, remain architectural testaments to his stature — sleek, imposing, daring, and symbolic of the modern Nigeria he envisions.
Globacom at 22 is therefore not just a corporate milestone; it is a celebration of an idea — that Africa can innovate for itself; that Nigerians can build enterprises that shape the future; that businesses can be both profitable and purposeful. It is a celebration of the transformative power of vision, persistence, and patriotism. It is also a reminder that in every industry and generation, there are those who not only participate but redefine the game.
Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. is one such individual. He has redefined entrepreneurship in Nigeria and set a continental benchmark for what indigenous capital, courage, and creativity can achieve. His life’s work continues to inspire younger generations to believe that success built on integrity, innovation, and social impact is not only possible but necessary.
As Globacom charts its path into the next decade, its legacy is secure — built on innovation, powered by technology, and anchored on a deep love for country and people. Its mission to connect lives, empower dreams, and preserve culture remains unwavering. Whether through faster Internet, stronger networks, or deeper social investments, Glo’s presence continues to be felt in homes, offices, schools, and communities across Nigeria and beyond.
At 22, Globacom stands as a towering symbol of what is possible when vision meets execution, when patriotism fuels enterprise, and when leadership is guided not merely by profit but by purpose. And at the heart of it all stands Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. — a visionary entrepreneur, an icon of enterprise, a business mogul high above the stars, whose story reminds the world that from Africa can rise not only businesses of world-class scale, but also businesses of world-class soul.
( Louis Ibe, public relations analyst and a reputation management specialist, works with Globacom.)
