Dr. Payne taught me in 300 and 400 level, and he used to say to me that I will never do well.”
With Wole Famurewa
Abayomi Awobokun is the Chief Executive Officer, Enyo Retail & Supply Ltd, an oil and gas company. Abayomi began his career at the Lagos Business School in 2000 before traveling to the UK for an M.Sc in International Business. He worked as an Area Manager with Halifax Bank of Scotland before his return to Nigeria. Abayomi joined the Oando marketing team in 2005 as Project Manager in the Strategy & Planning department.
He is a 2016 recipient of the Young Global Leader award from the World Economic Forum (WEF); and was nominated by the Choiseul Institute in Paris as one of the top 100 under 40 business leaders in Africa. He is the founder of “The September 20 Foundation (TS20F)”, an initiative to support the operations of Internally Displaced Persons camps in Nigeria.
University, science or arts?
University of Ibadan. I studied Pure and Applied Mathematics.
Your first job?
I worked for the Lagos Business School as an IT Analyst.
And where did you go from there?
I earned a Masters Degree in International Business from the University of Surrey and then joined Oando Plc and then Enyo Retail.
What was your biggest lesson from University?
Make as many friends as possible.
And your master’s degree?
It is the only foreign degree that I have acquired. It was great education and it offered a great network of friends.
Biggest lesson from home?
Treat people well.
Who was the bigger influence: mum or dad?
Dad. More moderate, more balanced. Calmer and better teacher.
What’s your favourite kind of music?
Worship gospel music.
Notable music hits while in school.
What comes to mind now is Wyclef Jean and a song called Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development.
Who are your favourite authors?
I have enjoyed reading Cyprian Ekwensi and Wole Soyinka. I read a lot of other books though. But their works I read earlier in life stand out.
So, what are you reading now?
A book that contains the writings of late musicians. I got it off the reading list of Barack Obama.
Who is your best boss ever?
Wale Tinubu, CEO of Oando Plc. The biggest lesson that I learnt from him is that your people are your greatest asset. I also learnt to build a business for scale and to focus on building a great team above all else.
Any teacher you remember?
Dr. Payne. He taught me in 300 and 400 level, and he used to say to me that I will never do well.
The most expensive fashion accessory that you have ever spent on?
For myself, a wristwatch but the most expensive accessory that I have bought was some jewelry for my wife. I got a lot of big hugs and she wears them all happily.
Tea or coffee?
I used to binge on coffee in the past, but I don’t take it any longer so it’s tea for me now.
What’s your take on the prosperity gospel?
I think it’s a part of the story. It’s not all about the gospel of God. I think it’s only a problem when we think it’s more than 10% to 15% of the gospel message.
Are you left or right or simply pragmatic?
I would say I am in the middle. I don’t swing too much to either side.
Favorite place in Nigeria?
Ogere Remo. That’s where my grandparents are from.
And abroad?
London. I like the smell and the consistent upgrade of the infrastructure.
What’s your favourite Nigerian brand?
The natural answer will be Enyo, but I do admire Dangote a great deal.
Indulgences? Cars, bags, clothes?
Electronics. I am into gadgets. Drones, VR sets etc. Recently, I got another drone with greater range, collision detection and follow-me function.
For how long have you had the wristwatch you are using now?
7 years. I got it from a luxury store abroad.
Football or boxing? Favourite team?
Soccer and tennis. Arsenal. Standard. Best team in the world.
Favourite tennis player?
Serena Williams.
Best place to invest one’s Naira right now?
Real estate investment. I think the Ajah Lekki axis is a good area to invest in terraces.
Someone you would like to holiday with?
Obama. He is someone I admire.
Jewelry. Do you prefer gold or silver?
Neither. Not into jewelry. But as a gift, I would probably buy gold.
If you found Buhari sitting next to you Marco Polo what would be your biggest policy ask?
I would ask him to speak more. I think he can contribute more to the narrative of the country. I think if he spoke more there would be a lot more direction and people will just follow because he has a strong personality.
In terms of specific policy towards your sector?
I will tell him to be careful about implementing a road map for the full deregulation of the sector. I don’t think it’s a silver bullet. A number of other reforms are needed for it to work.
Where do you see Nigeria in 10 years?
I see development in some areas but sadly I still think there will be a lot of inequality in the future.
Do you think we are too many?
No, I think we are great people. Our population size is just right.
Do you think Nigeria should be modeled after India or China?
Neither, but we should remain a democracy. So, if I were to pick one of the two, I would pick India.
Thanks a lot for your time.
The Lunch Hour was at:
Marco Polo Restaurant, Lekki
Water – N500
2 large chapman – N2,800
1 Shredded beef – N4,500
1 Sweet and sour sauce with chicken – N4,500
1 Fried rice – N5,000
4 packs – N400
VAT – N1,110
LSCT – N1,110
Service charge – N2,220
Total: N26,640
