It was a terrible day, a day no one wants to remember. Even if it is remembered at all, it is for the miracle of God showing up to save and preserve the life of Dr. Mike Adenuga—who survived a gunshot in the thigh and subsequently rose from the ashes of near-death to become one of the few richest men in the world—not just Africa.
This Good Friday and Easter season, as we reflect on the power of resurrection, redemption, and divine intervention, the story of how God shielded Mike Adenuga from death stands as a testament to divine grace. The incident, which occurred in the late 70s or early 80s, was a turning point in the life of the man who would later build a multi-billion-dollar empire spanning telecoms, oil, banking, construction and real estate.
The night that changed everything
Mike Adenuga was then a young, vibrant businessman living in a modest bungalow on Talabi Street, off Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja. The area was quiet, almost lonely—a far cry from the fortified mansions and high-security lifestyle he would later adopt.
That night, armed robbers stormed his home. His houseboy alerted him to their presence, and Adenuga, ever the calm and calculating man, cooperated with them. But cooperation was not enough. After taking what they wanted, one of the assailants insisted on shooting him. Despite protests from another robber, a gunshot rang out, piercing Adenuga’s thigh.
The bullet tore through his flesh, exiting one leg and entering the other. Blood spilled everywhere. The robbers fled in his brand-new Mercedes, only to abandon it in front of another of his properties on Allen Avenue.
Divine intervention in the midst of crisis
Adenuga’s survival that night was nothing short of miraculous. His friends—high-ranking military officers including General David Jemibewon and Senator TundeOgbeha—rushed to his aid.
Civilian admissions into military hospitals were near impossible at the time, but his friends pulled strings. They got him into Creek Hospital (the military hospital on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi) where he received emergency treatment. Next, he was on a British Airways flight to London, accompanied by his elder sister, Otunba Yetunde Adegbola.
“The leg was bandaged,” Otunba Yetunde Adegbola recalled. “By the time we got to London, he was in pain. From the airport, he was driven in an ambulance to the hospital.”
In London, renowned surgeon, Professor Graford Jamieson performed life-saving surgery. The bullet had ruptured veins, and Adenuga lost a significant amount of blood. Had the shot been inches higher, it could have severed a major artery, leading to fatal bleeding.
General Jemibewon, reflecting on the incident, said: “It was God that came to his rescue. When a gun is fired at you, it’s a serious matter. It could have damaged the vein or an artery, and you would have rushed blood. Adenuga did rush blood, but God saved his life.”
A life transformed by grace
The attack left an indelible mark on Adenuga. Those close to him say it altered his outlook on life, security, and public exposure.
Senator Tunde Ogbeha noted: “The experience must have informed a change in his attitude. After the incident, he started keeping to himself. Except where it is absolutely necessary, you don’t see him in public places, at public gatherings. His circle of friends is very few, very limited.”
His elder brother, Otunba Ademola Adenuga, revealed that the incident also shaped his business decisions. “When he came back, the Lord opened his eyes. That is how he started acquiring properties mainly on Lagos Island.”
Niyi Adewunmi, Adenuga’s earliest employee, recounted the horror of seeing the crime scene the next morning: “The whole place was filled with blood, blood, blood. I thought my boss was dead.” But God had other plans.
Many have speculated whether the attack was a random robbery or a targeted assassination attempt. Femi Akinrinade, Adenuga’s first business partner, dismissed the latter theory, insisting: “If anybody is responsible for Mike Adenuga’s success, I think it’s God.”
Indeed, from that near-death experience, Adenuga’s fortunes took a divine turn. He ventured into property, banking, oil, and eventually telecommunications—founding Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator. Today, he stands among Africa’s richest men, a living testimony of God’s preservation.
Otunba Yetunde Adegbola put it best: “From his close brushes with death, I can say God loves him so much. God is still at work in his life. He may not be a churchgoer, but I believe in his heart of hearts he knows that the strength behind him is God.”
Easter reflections: From near-death to new life
As we celebrate Easter—a season of resurrection and new beginnings—Mike Adenuga’s story reminds us that God can turn any tragedy into triumph. Just as Christ emerged from the grave, Adenuga emerged from that blood-stained night into a life of extraordinary success.
The bullet that was meant to end his life became a catalyst for his rise. The attack that should have broken him only strengthened his resolve. And the God who saved him that night continues to shield him today.
This Easter, let Adenuga’s story inspire faith in divine intervention. No matter how dark the night, God can show up—just as He did for Mike Adenuga.
Happy Easter!