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Helen Lewis, in her thought-provoking book The Genius Myth, which I have just finished reading, challenges the long-held belief that extraordinary success belongs only to a rare breed of “geniuses” touched by divine inspiration. She argues that genius is not an innate spark bestowed upon a chosen few, but rather the product of relentless effort, calculated risk-taking, and the right enabling environment.
This perspective mirrors the philosophy of one of Africa’s most enigmatic business moguls, Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom, whose telecoms brand Glo turned 22 this August. Adenuga, often regarded as a visionary and a “business genius,” has consistently downplayed the idea of genius as an exclusive trait. Instead, he champions the belief that hard work, focus, and strategic positioning—not mysterious genius—create groundbreaking results.
His impressively brilliant daughter, Mrs. Bella Adenuga-Disu, whom I interviewed for her father’s biography, told me in a long conversation that deeply captured this mindset:
“My dad is someone who believes there is nothing like being a genius. He believes that if you work hard and you have the right backing, you can excel in any situation you are in. I entered university at the age of 14 and finished at 18. People would say I am a genius. Yes, when I was young, my dad noticed that this girl is sharp. At school, he made sure he monitored me closely and I had proper teachers. He used to tell me, ‘You don’t have to be a genius. If you work hard, you would excel. If you are put in the right environment, you would excel.’”
This philosophy underpins Adenuga’s own entrepreneurial odyssey. When Globacom (Glo) entered the Nigerian telecoms market in 2003, it was a latecomer, competing against powerful multinational giants like MTN and Econet (now Airtel). Many dismissed Glo’s prospects, assuming the market had already been carved up by bigger, more experienced players. But Adenuga saw opportunity where others saw impossibility—and he knew that the key to breaking through was not “genius,” but game-changing ideas delivered with bold execution.
THE GAME CHANGER: PER SECOND BILLING
One of Glo’s most defining innovations was the introduction of per second billing—a concept that changed Nigeria’s telecom landscape forever. Before Glo, Nigerians paid for calls on a per-minute basis, whether or not they used the full minute. It was an inefficient system that frustrated millions of helpless users who had no choice. While other operators claimed that per second billing was “impossible” or “uneconomical” at the time, Adenuga refused to accept that narrative.
In longer hours of strategic meetings after meetings which he chaired, Adenuga tasked his team to develop a solution, and against all odds, Glo launched with per second billing as its standard from day one. This forced competitors to abandon their entrenched billing model and follow suit. It was a textbook case of how hard work, relentless focus, and customer-centric innovation—not some mysterious spark of genius—could disrupt an entire industry.
BUILDING GLO: THE HARD ROAD TO 22
Behind the glamour of Glo’s green branding and catchy campaigns lies a story of grit. To compete effectively, Adenuga invested heavily in infrastructure. Most notably, he financed the construction of Glo-1, the first privately-owned submarine cable connecting Europe directly to Nigeria. This audacious move ensured faster, more reliable internet connectivity—laying the foundation for Nigeria’s digital transformation long before the buzzwords “broadband” and “data economy” became trendy.
At a time when many questioned whether a Nigerian company could match or surpass foreign operators, Adenuga bet on himself, his team, and his vision. Today, Globacom is not just a telecom operator; it is a symbol of Nigerian enterprise—proof that a home grown company can thrive in a sector once dominated by multinationals.
THE GENIUS MYTH AND THE ADENUGA REALITY
Lewis’s The Genius Myth argues that greatness is often built collaboratively—through networks of enablers, mentors, strategists, and determined teams—rather than the solo brilliance of a single individual. Adenuga embodies this notion. His success rests on his willingness to surround himself with experts, push them to their limits, and back them with bold investments.
Indeed, one could say that his true genius lies in rejecting the concept of genius itself. By insisting that excellence is a product of hard work and the right environment, Adenuga has democratised success—not just for himself but for his employees, partners, and customers.
CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF GLO
As Glo turned 22 last month, its journey offers lessons far beyond telecoms. It is a story of how belief in hard work over mystique can power bold innovation. It is about the resilience to challenge entrenched systems, as Adenuga did with per second billing. And it is about creating world-class infrastructure, like Glo-1, that places Nigeria firmly on the global digital map.
For young entrepreneurs, the takeaway is clear: success is rarely about being “born a genius.” It is about putting in the hours, surrounding yourself with the right people, and daring to take calculated risks when others shy away.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mike Adenuga may be celebrated as a business genius, but his life and philosophy echo the core message of Helen Lewis’s The Genius Myth: greatness is not bestowed—it is built. Through 22 years of Glo, Adenuga has shown that extraordinary achievements are born from ordinary virtues—hard work, vision, persistence, and the courage to disrupt the status quo. And let me add the hand of God or God factor as it is called. God has truly stood behind Mike Adenuga in all his moves and strategic thinking.
As we celebrate the Glo brand’s milestone anniversary, we are reminded that Nigeria’s future will be shaped not by mythical geniuses, but by those who, like Adenuga, believe that hard work, innovation, and the right support system can make anything possible.
MOSES ITAUMA AS GLO AMBASSADOR
I featured Moses Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) in my column on August 23 as the British-Nigerian boxing wunderkind who is Nigeria’s answer to Mike Tyson. If you see the way he demolished the fearsome Dillian Whyte alias “The Body Snatcher” in Round One in Saudi Arabia recently, you will agree with me that Itauma, who is almost the same age as brand Glo and has never lost a fight, is the future of heavyweight boxing and a potential Glo Ambassador. Find him, crown him, he is the “greenest” next heavyweight boxing king to be!
