Nollywood actor and professional matchmaker, Adams Kehinde, popularly known as Lege Miami, is in a celebratory mood after becoming the proud owner of a N400 million home in Lagos. For someone who once faced tough times, battled debts, and even fled abroad to rebuild his life, this achievement feels almost unbelievable.
In this exclusive interview with City People, Lege Miami talks about the excitement of owning a home in one of Lagos’ most expensive areas, his rise through matchmaking and social media and why he decided against a grand house opening. He also revealed the many life lessons his journey has taught him. He spoke to SUNDAY ADIGUN. Below are excerpts.
Let me start by congratulating you on your new building. How do you feel being a landlord?
Actually, I felt surprised because I didn’t know I would become a landlord in this community. This particular area is very expensive. What I hear about Maryland and Anthony is serious. For a young guy to have a building here is not an easy job, and it just suddenly happened within a few months.
I got the house, and I was still asking myself, am I really the owner of this house? I would even call my lawyer to ask if the people I bought it from wouldn’t come back again. He assured me they wouldn’t. I would ask him again, “This document is in my name, right?”
There was a time I paid for prepaid electricity, and I noticed the name didn’t change to mine. I asked my lawyer why. He explained that I needed to request it officially with some documents like the deed of assignment. I submitted them, and after a few weeks, my name finally appeared on the NEPA bill. That was the first time in my life I saw my own name on a house bill.
I even called the woman who usually helps me with electricity payments. When she checked, she said, “Your name is there o.” I told her, “Yes, I am the owner of the house now, what do you expect?” She was surprised and asked, “So you truly bought the house?” When I confirmed, she congratulated me and asked when I would be doing the housewarming.
I told her that Seyi Tinubu would be the one to open the house for me. But later, Seyi advised me to move into my house quietly and not do a big ceremony for now, considering the situation of the country. He said we should focus on the youths and the economy so that everything can be balanced.
Looking at your journey, what has life taught you so far?
When I started, my life was rough. My journey is not something I can fully explain over the phone; I think I need to write a book about it. But anytime I’m doing interviews, I share a little part of my story.
One thing I’ve learned is that whatever you do in life, you must be determined about it. If you are not focused, you will drop. But if you are determined and focused, you will succeed. I know I am determined and focused in whatever I do, and I always make sure I see things through to the end. And I also pray. Being focused, determined, and prayerful definitely brings good results. That has been my story focus, determination, and prayer and that’s why I have seen success.
Along the way, many things happened. I once owed several people in the Yoruba movie industry. Big stars. I even got into trouble with Yinka Quadri when he gave me money to help him buy a car. I wanted to add my own money to get him something better so that he would keep featuring me in movies, but business wasn’t booming at the time. His money eventually turned into a debt, and he reported me at Alagbon.
He didn’t allow them to detain me but insisted I sign a document promising to pay back or face arrest. I still couldn’t meet up, and at some point, I had to flee to South Africa to continue my business so I could pay those I owed in the industry.
The truth is, many of the actors only gave me part payment for cars, and I would add money to make it up. But when my business crashed, I couldn’t balance it anymore. I became an outcast, even at home. I was sleeping in hotels and living in bondage until God eventually opened the way for me through matchmaking.
People are curious about what else you do apart from matchmaking. Because when they sum up the cost of your house and renovations, the figure online is over N400 million. So people are wondering, is it really matchmaking that brought in this kind of money, or do you do other businesses?
It is from matchmaking. The avenues are many. For instance, when I go live on TikTok, they pay me. In a month, I can get up to $4,000 just from TikTok live. Apart from that, people also send gifts on TikTok, and in total, I can make up to $10,000 monthly.
On Facebook, I used to make up to $7,000 before they hacked my account, but now I still get around $300–$500. On YouTube, I can make up to $10,000 monthly. In a year, YouTube alone gives me up to N100 million in a year.
Then, of course, the matchmaking fees, N50,000 per person, that also adds up. Plus, I have some people outside the country who support me financially. So yes, the money came from matchmaking and these online platforms.
You earlier mentioned you’re not doing a grand opening for the house anymore. Can you explain why?
Yes. The reason is because I really love Seyi Tinubu. Initially, I wanted to use the housewarming to honor people who are dear to me, like Seyi Tinubu, Tokunbo Wahab (the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources), the PA to the President Wale Fadare, the younger brother of the governor, the chairman of Oshodi, and others who have always supported me.
But along the line, Seyi Tinubu called me and advised me not to do any housewarming now. He told me to just move into my house quietly and focus on the situation of the country. I respected his advice, informed the others, and they all agreed with him.
What about your yearly programme? Are we expecting it this year?
Yes, I will still do it. I haven’t secured a venue yet, but I’m planning to hold the matchmaking programme this year, most likely in GRA.
Finally, what’s your advice to the youth?
My advice is that they should not be desperate to become stars. They should not try to destroy someone else’s glory just to rise. Be prayerful, be focused, and don’t copy your friends simply because of what they’re doing. Whatever you are good at, keep doing it. In time, it will pay off.
