Chief Dele Momodu is a Nigerian businessman, politician, motivational speaker, journalist, and publisher, and the CEO of the internationally renowned celebrity magazine, Ovation International, a publication that has given people media exposure all around the world, but particularly in Africa.
Childhood, Family And Education
Chief Dele Momodu was born in Ondo State of Southwestern Nigeria. He was raised in a family of three; his mother passed away in 2007, and he lost his father when he was 13 years old.
In Ondo, Dele Momodu finished both his primary and secondary school. He then enrolled in the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, where he graduated with a degree in Yoruba and a master’s in English literature.
On December 19, 1992, Dele Momodu wed Mobolaji Abiodun Momodu. They have four kids together. Dele Momodu graduated from the University of Ife with a bachelor’s degree in 1982. (now Obafemi Awolowo University). He earned both a Yoruba degree and a master’s in English literature after graduating (1988). He delivered lectures at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife from 1982 to 1983 while serving in the military. In addition, he served as Chief Akin Omoboriowo’s private secretary from 1983 to 1985. Chief Omoboriowo was the former deputy governor of Ondo State.
In 1986, Momodu managed the Motel Royal Limited for Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, the Ooni of Ife. After leaving the Motel Royal, he continued his studies for a post-graduate degree in English literature. He wrote for The Sunday Tribune, The Guardian, and other Nigerian newspapers during this time. To July 30, 2016, the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, conferred the title “Doctor of Humane Letters” on Dele.
In May 1988, Dele Momodu earned his first assignment as a staff writer for African Concord, a publication Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola owned. A year later, he was moved as a pioneer staff member to Weekend Concord. He penned the paper’s first cover article in March 1989. The National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord, and the Yoruba weekly Isokan were among the publications he also wrote to. Later, in May 1989, he was named Literary Editor and six months later, News Editor of the Weekend Concord. He was the highest-paid editor in Nigeria between May 1990 and September 1991 when he was in charge of the celebrity magazine May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique.
Later, he quit and attempted to work as a bread distributor for his mentor, “Wonderloaf” owner Moshood Abiola. After that, Momodu established Celebrities-Goodwill Limited, which looked after the accounts of Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Mike Adenuga, and Moshood Abiola.
Narrow Escape From Political Repercussions
In 1993, Momodu left his position to work on Moshood Abiola’s presidential campaign. After the presidential election was canceled by General Ibrahim Babangida on June 12, he was then detained and imprisoned at Alagbon Close in Lagos. Despite being penalized by the ruling regime for his support of democracy, he remained steadfast and courageous.
After that, the dictatorial government of Sani Abacha intended to detain him and charge him with treason in 1995. This was due to Momodu’s reputation as one of the leaders of the illegal radio station, Radio Freedom, following the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. By assuming the identity of a farmer and crossing the Seme border into Cotonou, Benin Republic, Momodu managed to flee. From there, he made his way to Togo, Ghana, and eventually the United Kingdom.
He was prohibited from going back to Nigeria for three long years as a result of this occurrence. Since then, he has been absolved of all charges brought against him by the Abacha government, which are believed to have been made up by Abacha’s anti-democratic regime, which Momodu opposed by endorsing MKO Abiola’s campaign.
Dele Momodu formally announced his desire to run for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2011 under the Labour Party banner in September 2010. But the Labour Party was forced to abandon the presidential contest.
He ultimately ran on the National Conscience Party platform and lost to Goodluck Jonathan in the general elections. Dele Momodu subsequently proclaimed his intention to seek the presidency of Nigeria in February 2022 on the banner of the largest opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party. Sadly, he came up short in the PDP presidential primary.
Dele Momodu Net Worth
Dele Momodu is currently estimated to have a net worth of $40 million.