Introducing 7 Successful Nigerians Who Never Went To University

In Nigeria, Education is considered to be the gateway to success and the passport to a better life. Debunking this myth that one cannot be successful without a formal education are these successful Nigerians who have been able to survive life’s challenges and cross the hurdle of a formal education to become who they are today. Take a look at some of Nigeria’s most successful individuals who didn't have formal education or complete their formal education.

Cosmos Maduka:
If you are a lover of cars then you are certain to have heard of the name Cosmos Maduka. He is the founder of Coscharis Group, which is the sole distributor of BMW vehicles in West Africa. He dropped out of elementary school and became an apprentice at a tender age of seven. Today he sits atop one of the biggest conglomerates that Nigeria can boast of.

Vincent Obianobo:
The name Vincent Obianobo might not sound familiar but you can’t help but to have heard of his transportation company “The Young Shall Grow Motors.” He is also the owner of Rockview hotels and his transport company is supposedly the largest in Nigeria. This astute businessman had humble beginnings and not much education but today, he is one of Nigeria’s most successful businessmen.

Folorunsho Alakija:
Ranked not only as Nigeria’s richest woman, according to Forbes ratings, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija is Africa’s richest woman. The wealthy billionaire who as at 2012 is estimated to be worth $2.5 billion revealed recently that she never attended a university. She made this revelation at the United Nations International Youth Day held at the University of Lagos.

Olorogun Michael Ibru:
Olorugun Michael Ibru is the founder of Ibru Organization which is one of the largest conglomerates in Nigeria and head of one of the richest family in Nigeria. He is a prominent Nigerian businessman who has only a school certificate to his name, he graduated from Igbobi college in 1951.

Razaq Akanni Okoya:  
A Nigerian billionaire industrialist, he is the founder of Eleganza Group which has a marketing span across West Africa. The lack of a proper education was not a barrier to Razaq Okoya in his quest for success. He had his only formal education at Ansar-un-deen primary School, Oke popo, Lagos.

Orji Uzor Kalu:
He is the billionaire founder of SLOK Holding as well as the founder of Daily Sun and New Telegraph Newspapers. He was rusticated from the university for participating in a students’ protest. The university later reconsidered its decision and he was called back but he rejected the offer and ventured into entrepreneurship instead.

Michael Collins Ajere (Don Jazzy)
Prolific music producer and C.E.O of Mavin Records, Michael Collins better known as Don Jazzy is one of Nigeria’s successful Nigerians that didn't need education to attain greatness. He was ranked the second most bankable artiste in Africa by Channel O and Forbes Africa, interesting to note is that he dropped out of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma in his first year.

Credit: Kokofeed.com