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8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by adeekoademola: 9:52am On Aug 25, 2015
8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late

Once in a while, we might find ourselves wondering if it's not too late for us to achieve our biggest dreams or get success. If you feel that way, you're not alone; but you might be mistaken. Our team has compiled a list of 8 Nigerians that prove that it's never too late to achieve success.

In so many industries, there is an emphasis on youth – what’s fresh and current. But you guys have heard that popular saying “there’s no time like the present” right? Well, you’ll be glad to know, that sentiment doesn’t suddenly expire as soon as you leave your twenties.

Yeah, you already tried and failed (maybe more than once), whatever, that doesn’t matter. These inspiring Nigerian success stories ranging from entrepreneurs to actors, prove it’s never too late to follow your dream and achieve success.

1. Kunle Afolayan screened his first big movie at 34.

While he is the son of the famous theatre and film producer/director Ade Love, Mr Afolayan only became really active in the Nigerian film industry when he turned 30. He initially majored in economics and started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting, before deciding to move into full-time filmmaking and taking a course at the New York Film Academy.

The Figurine: Araromire (2009) was his first big hit, receiving numerous awards and commercial success.

2. Sefi Atta published her first novel at the age of 41

Sure, her short stories had appeared in various literary journals like the Los Angeles Review, but Sefi Atta’s first novel Everything Good Will Come was not published until 10 years ago, receiving widespread critical acclaim, including the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

3. Victor Olaotan landed his first big role at 56

He started acting when he was 15, through a teacher who was a member of the Ori Olokun Theatre group at the University of Ibadan. After he lost his father, he traveled to America in his late twenties but returned to Nigeria at the age of 50 to continue his acting career.

He finally garnered widespread popularity after he landed a leading role in the Nigerian Soap opera, Tinsel that began airing in 2008.

4. While he was already a successful broadcaster, Pete Edochie only landed his first major acting role at 40

He is regarded as one of Africa’s most talented actors, but for the earlier part of his life, Pete Edochie was in radio broadcasting. Starting off as a junior programmes assistant, then eventually rising to the level of a Director of programmes, sometimes doubling as Deputy Managing Director and occasionally acting as Managing Director. He took on many roles behind the scenes but did not come into the limelight until his forties, when he landed the lead role of Okonkwo in the TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

5. Tiwa Savage did not release her first album until she was 33

While Tiwa Savage had already started lending her stellar vocals to big names like George Michael in her teens, she only signed a music deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing at 29, a deal which led her to her first Grammy nomination at 30 for her work on Fantasia’s ‘Collard Greens and Cornbread.’

However, she only became a star in her right after releasing her first hit single Kele Kele Love. Her first album, Once Upon a Time wasn’t released until 2013, at the age of 33.

6. Patience Ozokwor got her first film role at the age of 40

While she did a number of plays in her teacher training days, thanks to her literature teacher, Patience Ozokowor eventually left drama for work at Radio Nigeria. It was the positive reaction to her role in a mass orientation commercial, where she played the wife of Peter Eneh, that finally pushed her back into acting. She got her first lead role at 40, but it was her role in Authority a year later that finally shot her into the limelight.

7. Jason Njoku didn’t launch the super-successful iROKOtv until he was 31

While studying Chemistry at the University of Manchester in 2005, Jason embarked on his journey to become an entrepreneur. He faced some daunting failures, most notably, Brash Magazine (read up on that here), and he racked up some serious debt but he never gave up on his dream of becoming a modern-day capitalist.

He eventually founded iROKO Partners with Bastian Gotter in December 2010, iROKOtv a year later, and the rest is history.

8. Sim Shagaya started Nigeria’s top e-commerce site, Konga when he was 36

Before he founded Konga, Sim had started a dating site Alarena.com (later called Lovebase), a job placement site called JobClan.com, a classifieds site GboGbo.com and the media streaming service iNollywood.com. According to him, they all failed because they were “ahead of their time”. However, that never discouraged him from continuing on his entrepreneurship journey.

He kept pushing and he eventually found success in 2005 with E-Motion, an out-of-home media firm. Rather than stay satisfied, he kept moving forward and 7 years later, he broke new ground in e-commerce in Nigeria – with DealDey and later Konga.com

These people prove that it’s possible to find yourself and that thing that’ll enable you make a name for yourself at any point in time. No matter how difficult today might seem, remember this – Don’t Stop Moving Forward.

Culled From http://www.myjobmag.com

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by kikilove(f): 9:56am On Aug 25, 2015
Nice
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by AngryNigerian(m): 10:02am On Aug 25, 2015
....but u no include baba Buhari,who never gave up on his dreams 2 govern Nigeria after ruling her 4 abt 20 months isn dat proving dat itz neva too late

19 Likes 2 Shares

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by kayo80(m): 10:02am On Aug 25, 2015
Kunle Afolayon doesn't belong on that list. It is not like he had been trying and failing and trying for 10 years before he made figurine. That was like his first movie. And besides, 34 is quite young for a movie producer/director. Also, the Iroko TV guy doesn't belong on the list. 31? That is still quite young. You should have put Buhari on this list...That is the definition of Persistence and perseverance in Nigeria right now.

8 Likes

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Nobody: 10:03am On Aug 25, 2015
All dreams will be tested, ur ability to hold on to what u believe in and also make changes to where ever u feel wrong would make u succeed. Secondly, passion is also important to success, imagine getting paid to do something u love doing.... remember, All dreams will be tested.

1 Like

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by prelinctus: 12:17pm On Aug 25, 2015
Why are they all in the entertainment industry? There are many of them in other sectors.
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Davidbee(m): 12:23pm On Aug 25, 2015
Osunbade should be on the list...he stumbled on vp power
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by jideprof: 2:18pm On Aug 25, 2015
well, PMB Beats All Of Them grin

3 Likes

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by omowolewa: 2:24pm On Aug 25, 2015
Never too late, I was expecting Obasanjo, Buhari, Elechi, Saka and other old men

2 Likes

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by jazinogold(m): 2:24pm On Aug 25, 2015
what of GEJ who had no shoes for years but later became Nigeria president!

1 Like

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by 4C2215131: 2:29pm On Aug 25, 2015
adeekoademola:
8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late

Once in a while, we might find ourselves wondering if it's not too late for us to achieve our biggest dreams or get success. If you feel that way, you're not alone; but you might be mistaken. Our team has compiled a list of 8 Nigerians that prove that it's never too late to achieve success.

In so many industries, there is an emphasis on youth – what’s fresh and current. But you guys have heard that popular saying “there’s no time like the present” right? Well, you’ll be glad to know, that sentiment doesn’t suddenly expire as soon as you leave your twenties.

Yeah, you already tried and failed (maybe more than once), whatever, that doesn’t matter. These inspiring Nigerian success stories ranging from entrepreneurs to actors, prove it’s never too late to follow your dream and achieve success.

1. Kunle Afolayan screened his first big movie at 34.

While he is the son of the famous theatre and film producer/director Ade Love, Mr Afolayan only became really active in the Nigerian film industry when he turned 30. He initially majored in economics and started out working in a bank while doing some casual acting, before deciding to move into full-time filmmaking and taking a course at the New York Film Academy.

The Figurine: Araromire (2009) was his first big hit, receiving numerous awards and commercial success.

2. Sefi Atta published her first novel at the age of 41

Sure, her short stories had appeared in various literary journals like the Los Angeles Review, but Sefi Atta’s first novel Everything Good Will Come was not published until 10 years ago, receiving widespread critical acclaim, including the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

3. Victor Olaotan landed his first big role at 56

He started acting when he was 15, through a teacher who was a member of the Ori Olokun Theatre group at the University of Ibadan. After he lost his father, he traveled to America in his late twenties but returned to Nigeria at the age of 50 to continue his acting career.

He finally garnered widespread popularity after he landed a leading role in the Nigerian Soap opera, Tinsel that began airing in 2008.

4. While he was already a successful broadcaster, Pete Edochie only landed his first major acting role at 40

He is regarded as one of Africa’s most talented actors, but for the earlier part of his life, Pete Edochie was in radio broadcasting. Starting off as a junior programmes assistant, then eventually rising to the level of a Director of programmes, sometimes doubling as Deputy Managing Director and occasionally acting as Managing Director. He took on many roles behind the scenes but did not come into the limelight until his forties, when he landed the lead role of Okonkwo in the TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

5. Tiwa Savage did not release her first album until she was 33

While Tiwa Savage had already started lending her stellar vocals to big names like George Michael in her teens, she only signed a music deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing at 29, a deal which led her to her first Grammy nomination at 30 for her work on Fantasia’s ‘Collard Greens and Cornbread.’

However, she only became a star in her right after releasing her first hit single Kele Kele Love. Her first album, Once Upon a Time wasn’t released until 2013, at the age of 33.

6. Patience Ozokwor got her first film role at the age of 40

While she did a number of plays in her teacher training days, thanks to her literature teacher, Patience Ozokowor eventually left drama for work at Radio Nigeria. It was the positive reaction to her role in a mass orientation commercial, where she played the wife of Peter Eneh, that finally pushed her back into acting. She got her first lead role at 40, but it was her role in Authority a year later that finally shot her into the limelight.

7. Jason Njoku didn’t launch the super-successful iROKOtv until he was 31

While studying Chemistry at the University of Manchester in 2005, Jason embarked on his journey to become an entrepreneur. He faced some daunting failures, most notably, Brash Magazine (read up on that here), and he racked up some serious debt but he never gave up on his dream of becoming a modern-day capitalist.

He eventually founded iROKO Partners with Bastian Gotter in December 2010, iROKOtv a year later, and the rest is history.

8. Sim Shagaya started Nigeria’s top e-commerce site, Konga when he was 36

Before he founded Konga, Sim had started a dating site Alarena.com (later called Lovebase), a job placement site called JobClan.com, a classifieds site GboGbo.com and the media streaming service iNollywood.com. According to him, they all failed because they were “ahead of their time”. However, that never discouraged him from continuing on his entrepreneurship journey.

He kept pushing and he eventually found success in 2005 with E-Motion, an out-of-home media firm. Rather than stay satisfied, he kept moving forward and 7 years later, he broke new ground in e-commerce in Nigeria – with DealDey and later Konga.com

These people prove that it’s possible to find yourself and that thing that’ll enable you make a name for yourself at any point in time. No matter how difficult today might seem, remember this – Don’t Stop Moving Forward.

Culled From http://www.myjobmag.com


9. My uncle got his first degree at 38 (and it wasn't a first class but a 2:1, though he's mighty brilliant!) and secured an average job at 39 (50k monthly If I can remember), and another dream one (with all the perks) at 42. This was eight years ago. Today, he's so made! No connection whatsoever, just a degree, applying for jobs, an interview...no masters, no professional certification bla bla bla. Just his brilliance and belief in himself and of course God's favour!

His story has inspired me to my own success today, It is NEVER over until you're dead! Forget the stories of how difficult it is. Work hard, pray, believe and most of all be smart as hell...watch out for opportunities. NEVER pity yourself or condition, that is the beginning of the end!

If you must cry or despair, work in despair, keep working while crying, but don't for a second think of stopping, stay away from the nay sayers as misery loves company...could go on and on with tales of folks close to me who excelled late in life and got in a space of five years what others got working for fifteen years. I shall hold my peace!

18 Likes 5 Shares

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by adebayo201: 3:11pm On Aug 25, 2015
prelinctus:
Why are they all in the entertainment industry? There are many of them in other sectors.

Kindly help us out with their names. sad
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Vince77(m): 3:32pm On Aug 25, 2015
I'm inspired

1 Like

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by chichomchin(m): 5:45pm On Aug 25, 2015
I can never be dissuaded,am the best of my kind.

I must hammer ().. beta late thannever



chichomchin
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by kennynelcon(m): 7:00pm On Aug 25, 2015
PMB... 14 years, still fighting
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by dkronicle(m): 8:19pm On Aug 25, 2015
Sai baba
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Nobody: 8:27pm On Aug 25, 2015
These are inspiring, I believe soonest my name will make that list courtesy of laudable groundbreaking achievements HARY BUILDING CONCEPT will make. AMEN.
Kindly contact us today and experience greatness.
Email - nukee02@gmail.com
WhatsApp/call - 08032427733
Thanks all.

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by wordcat(m): 9:08pm On Aug 25, 2015
Ru-bb-is-h,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Expecting to see the likes of Fatai Rolling Dollars.

1 Like

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Stunner1(f): 9:57pm On Aug 25, 2015
4C2215131:



9. My uncle got his first degree at 38 (and it wasn't a first class but a 2:1, though he's mighty brilliant!) and secured an average job at 39 (50k monthly If I can remember), and another dream one (with all the perks) at 42. This was eight years ago. Today, he's so made! No connection whatsoever, just a degree, applying for jobs, an interview...no masters, no professional certification bla bla bla. Just his brilliance and belief in himself and of course God's favour!

His story has inspired me to my own success today, It is NEVER over until you're dead! Forget the stories of how difficult it is. Work hard, pray, believe and most of all be smart as hell...watch out for opportunities. NEVER pity yourself or condition, that is the beginning of the end!

If you must cry or despair, work in despair, keep working while crying, but don't for a second think of stopping, stay away from the nay sayers as misery loves company...could go on and on with tales of folks close to me who excelled late in life and got in a space of five years what others got working for fifteen years. I shall hold my peace!



Wooow this is so inspiring

Thanks for sharing

1 Like

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by abumeinben(m): 10:27pm On Aug 25, 2015
4C2215131:



9. My uncle got his first degree at 38 (and it wasn't a first class but a 2:1, though he's mighty brilliant!) and secured an average job at 39 (50k monthly If I can remember), and another dream one (with all the perks) at 42. This was eight years ago. Today, he's so made! No connection whatsoever, just a degree, applying for jobs, an interview...no masters, no professional certification bla bla bla. Just his brilliance and belief in himself and of course God's favour!

His story has inspired me to my own success today, It is NEVER over until you're dead! Forget the stories of how difficult it is. Work hard, pray, believe and most of all be smart as hell...watch out for opportunities. NEVER pity yourself or condition, that is the beginning of the end!

If you must cry or despair, work in despair, keep working while crying, but don't for a second think of stopping, stay away from the nay sayers as misery loves company...could go on and on with tales of folks close to me who excelled late in life and got in a space of five years what others got working for fifteen years. I shall hold my peace!

this shall get me starting.... Woe to laziness..angry
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by LOUIS6(m): 1:03am On Aug 26, 2015
Good better best, I will never rest, Until my Good is better and my better Best..



God bless my hustle
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Noblefreeman(m): 3:21am On Aug 26, 2015
Yes oo,even Jesus Christ,he died and paid for our sins at age 33,so long as there is life,there is Hope.
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by idu1(m): 8:02am On Aug 26, 2015
4C2215131:



9. My uncle got his first degree at 38 (and it wasn't a first class but a 2:1, though he's mighty brilliant!) and secured an average job at 39 (50k monthly If I can remember), and another dream one (with all the perks) at 42. This was eight years ago. Today, he's so made! No connection whatsoever, just a degree, applying for jobs, an interview...no masters, no professional certification bla bla bla. Just his brilliance and belief in himself and of course God's favour!

His story has inspired me to my own success today, It is NEVER over until you're dead! Forget the stories of how difficult it is. Work hard, pray, believe and most of all be smart as hell...watch out for opportunities. NEVER pity yourself or condition, that is the beginning of the end!

If you must cry or despair, work in despair, keep working while crying, but don't for a second think of stopping, stay away from the nay sayers as misery loves company...could go on and on with tales of folks close to me who excelled late in life and got in a space of five years what others got working for fifteen years. I shall hold my peace!
I'm inspired...

Lalasticlala frongpage please...
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by Googleus(m): 10:01pm On Aug 26, 2015
u 4got comrade osho and lara

Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by 4C2215131: 1:15pm On Aug 28, 2015
abumeinben:


this shall get me starting.... Woe to laziness..angry

That's the spirit my friend...that's the spirit!
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by 4C2215131: 1:15pm On Aug 28, 2015
Stunner1:




Wooow this is so inspiring

Thanks for sharing

You're welcome. just keep keeping on no matter what!
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by asalimpo(m): 5:24pm On Mar 10, 2016
4C2215131:



9. My uncle got his first degree at 38 (and it wasn't a first class but a 2:1, though he's mighty brilliant!) and secured an average job at 39 (50k monthly If I can remember), and another dream one (with all the perks) at 42. This was eight years ago. Today, he's so made! No connection whatsoever, just a degree, applying for jobs, an interview...no masters, no professional certification bla bla bla. Just his brilliance and belief in himself and of course God's favour!

His story has inspired me to my own success today, It is NEVER over until you're dead! Forget the stories of how difficult it is. Work hard, pray, believe and most of all be smart as hell...watch out for opportunities. NEVER pity yourself or condition, that is the beginning of the end!

If you must cry or despair, work in despair, keep working while crying, but don't for a second think of stopping, stay away from the nay sayers as misery loves company...could go on and on with tales of folks close to me who excelled late in life and got in a space of five years what others got working for fifteen years. I shall hold my peace!
wow!! People dey o! Thanks for sharing.
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by 4C2215131: 1:36am On Mar 11, 2016
asalimpo:

wow!! People dey o! Thanks for sharing.

Yes indeed! But it's not magic anyone with determination can accomplish much never minding geographical location.

It is a universal and cosmic law. To them that strive with faith and hardwork, the world is for the taking.
Re: 8 Nigerians Who Prove It’s Never Too Late by millhouse: 8:15am On Mar 11, 2016
Inspiring

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