By Folasade Oduwale
IBADAN – Dr Oluleye Adigun, a US-based Nigerian billionaire, has revealed why he was investing in the Nigerian economy and ongoing plans to invest N3 billion in a Nigerian Bank.
The Osun State-born billionaire is the owner and Chief Operating Officer of Golden Glades Treatment Center, as well as Adigun Investment Group.
Oluleye said that effort to invest three billion naira ($6.8million) in Fidelity Bank through shares acquisition was near fruition.
He is a big time investor with stakes in nine companies operating in commercial real estate, several e-commerce companies. as well as wind and solar energy.
Dr. Adigun continued that Others are aviation, with four private planes, a technology company, which owns computer software/applications, and six clinics in the healthcare industry.
Adigun said that the Nigerian economy has great potentials to be giant in the world, adding the country parades the smartest people.
His words, “I am interested in investing in Nigeria because it’s my fatherland. I believe there has to be a way of doing something in my own country and be successful in it.
“I have touched almost every industry here in the US and very successful in it. I have done business with people in other countries like South African, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and Europe. I want to do same in my own country”.
“With the right people, with great mind and good intentions, Nigeria can be like US and other thriving countries. I need to build my own too. Nigeria is my home regardless of what I have here in US,” Oluleye said.
He further said that the process of buying Fidelity Bank was almost done, saying the little delay was due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Adigun now pledged to bring his airline company, healthcare, technology as well as solar and wind energy to Nigeria in the future.
“This is a billion naira project and hope it goes well. I have built myself from making less than 30,000 dollars yearly to having a net worth of over 100 million dollars within the last four years.
“We are all Nigerians and looking to better our country together. We can’t fix Nigeria if we are all divided. As Nigerians, we need to change our mindset to fix and make Nigeria better together.
“The Fidelity Bank purchase is almost done. COVID-19 delayed the process a little due to everything closing down, but the process just picked up again. I was told I have to open a Bank account and will need BVN. I am planning to come to Nigeria to do that as soon as possible.
“Mr. Peter Aletor, Managing Director for Apel Asset Limited, and a friend, Mr Tosin Afolabi, have been very helpful on it. Afolabi will be partner in my Bank venture in Nigeria with small share,” he said.
He revealed the ongoing plans to apply for a banking license with CBN to dive into fintech.
Dr. Oluleye Adigun was an old student of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, Miami Dade College, Florida Atlantic University and Walden University.
He has served in several US organisations as a Police Officer, Substance Abuse Counselor and Clinical Director before he opened his first business in 2017.