Nigerian telecoms billionaire Mike Adenuga praised by Onitsha King as “a true man of culture”

Nigerian billionaire Mike Adenuga has been hailed as "a true man of culture" by Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and one of Nigeria's most prominent traditional rulers, who credited the telecommunications tycoon with helping preserve and promote the country's cultural heritage.

Achebe made the remarks on Friday at the 2026 Ofala festival, the annual royal celebration in the southeastern city of Onitsha, as Adenuga's company, Globacom Ltd., marked 15 consecutive years as the festival's principal partner. The monarch thanked Adenuga by name, describing him as a man who understands that "culture is not a luxury but a foundation for unity."

"Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival," said Achebe, who was celebrating his 25th Ofala since ascending the throne. "Since 2011, Globacom has stood with us as our principal partner, now fifteen consecutive years of unwavering commitment."

He said Adenuga's company had helped Onitsha "preserve the authenticity of Ofala" through good times and bad, and had improved how the festival is presented, recorded and broadcast. "They have helped take a living heritage to the global stage," he said.

In a goodwill message, Adenuga said the company's link to the festival "has been much more than a corporate partnership," describing it as "a relationship which we cherish deeply and regard as a privilege."

"It gives us great satisfaction to join Your Majesty and the people of Onitsha each year," he said, in "showcasing to Nigeria, Africa and the wider world the beauty, dignity and enduring values represented by Ofala."

A royal festival on a national stage

Ofala is the annual festival at which the Obi of Onitsha emerges from a period of seclusion to bless his people and receive homage from chiefs, age grades and visitors. This year's theme was "Igba Mbo, Iga N'Iru," or "Strive and Advance." The program included the Obi's ceremonial emergence, the Oreze international art exhibition, a youth carnival and a free medical outreach for residents.

Achebe used the occasion to press a message of self-reliance. "It would be delusional for us to place our hope and reliance entirely on the government," he said, adding that "we have no option than to strive and advance." He also urged people in the South-East to turn out in large numbers for the 2027 general elections.

Achebe, a former Shell executive, became Obi of Onitsha in 2002 and has used the festival to draw business leaders, diplomats and tourists to the city on the Niger River.

From Ijebu-Ode to Lagos

Ofala is one of several long-running cultural sponsorships Adenuga's companies have built across Nigeria.

The largest is the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where the Ijebu people pay homage to their king, the Awujale. Globacom has sponsored the festival for 21 consecutive years, including this year's edition. The 2026 festival was the first since the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who ruled as Awujale for more than six decades. The company awards cash prizes to winning age-grade groups and horse riders, with 750,000 naira ($563) for the winning age grade this year.

"For twenty-one unbroken years, Globacom has walked this cultural journey with the people of Ijebuland," Olumide Orojimi, a Globacom representative, said at the launch of this year's festival.

Globacom has also sponsored the Lisabi festival in Abeokuta, which honors the Egba warrior Lisabi, alongside its sponsorships in Onitsha and Ijebu-Ode.

Adenuga's support for culture extends beyond festivals. He paid for the Mike Adenuga Centre, the new home of the Alliance Française de Lagos on Osborne Road in Ikoyi. French President Emmanuel Macron opened the first phase during a visit to Lagos in July 2018, and the full building opened in May 2019 with an art gallery, cinema, library, amphitheater and auditorium. Adenuga's daughter, Bella Disu, executive vice chairman of Globacom, led the project.

Macron made Adenuga a commander of France's Legion of Honor in 2018, the first Nigerian to receive that rank. France has since held talks with Adenuga about funding a new Institut Français in Abuja.

The Adenuga business empire

Adenuga, 73, founded Globacom in 2003. It is one of Nigeria's largest mobile operators and also runs the Glo-1 submarine cable linking Nigeria to Europe. He also controls Conoil Plc, a Lagos-listed fuel marketer, and has interests in oil exploration, banking and real estate.

He rarely speaks in public and almost never gives interviews. His sponsorships of royal festivals, sports and the arts have made Globacom one of the most visible corporate names at Nigeria's major cultural events.