Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly adopted renowned real estate entrepreneur and business leader, Dr. Femi Joshua, as his son following an emotional meeting at a leadership roundtable in Lagos.
The notable moment occurred during the two-day CEO Roundtable organized by GOTNI, where Obasanjo delivered the keynote address to an audience of business executives, entrepreneurs and corporate leaders from across the country.
During the interactive session, Dr. Joshua paid tribute to the former president and recounted how the economic reforms implemented under the Obasanjo administration fundamentally changed the course of his life.
According to him, the liberalization of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector during Obasanjo’s presidency created unprecedented opportunities for millions of Nigerians, including himself.
He explained that the entry and expansion of telecommunications companies such as Econet, MTN and Globacom opened doors that allowed him, as a young man from humble origins, to build a successful career in the telecommunications industry.
Dr Joshua said he began his career journey at MTN before moving to Globacom. He later established himself as a consultant, after which his career evolved into entrepreneurship, sales leadership and real estate development.
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He currently serves as CEO of FJGlobal Properties and founder of the African School of Sales and Management, where he is committed to developing entrepreneurs, training business leaders and equipping young professionals with practical leadership and sales skills.
The atmosphere at the event became emotional when Dr. Joshua publicly expressed his gratitude to the former president and revealed that he had lost his biological father several years ago.
He described Obasanjo as a father figure whose life, leadership and service to Nigeria and the African continent had inspired him over the years.
In an emotional appeal to the audience, Dr. Joshua asked the elder statesman to accept him as an adopted son.
Responding immediately, Obasanjo took the microphone and publicly accepted the request, drawing applause from participants at the event.
The symbolic acceptance marked the beginning of what both men described as a meaningful father-son relationship based on mentoring, guidance, and shared values.
The public gesture was followed by a private visit the next day, Sunday, July 5, to Obasanjo’s residence in Ota, Ogun State, where the former President warmly received Dr. Joshua and spent time offering him personal advice, leadership lessons and fatherly advice.
After the visit, Dr. Joshua described the meeting as one of the defining moments in his personal and professional journey.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to associate with Obasanjo not only as former President of Nigeria, Head of State and respected elder statesman, but also as a father, mentor, guardian and instructor.
Dr. Joshua pledged to remain teachable, honor the relationship, and uphold the virtues of discipline, courage, integrity, service, and nation-building, and described the experience as the beginning of what he hopes will become a lifelong intergenerational leadership and mentoring relationship.
The visit also gave the businessman the opportunity to showcase his flagship real estate development, JABI PRIME HUB, a flagship mixed-use project located in Abuja.
According to Dr. Joshua, Obasanjo offered strategic advice and valuable insights into the successful execution of the project, while emphasizing the importance of ensuring that it generates sustainable economic benefits, contributes to national development and achieves global competitiveness.
The businessman said the advice he received from the former president would significantly shape the implementation of the project and strengthen his commitment to creating developments capable of driving investment, employment and long-term economic growth.
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