The Nigerian chronic authorChief Ayobamidele Abayomi Ojutelegan Ajani Momodu was born on the 16th of May 1960. He is a native of Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria.
Dele is a Nigerian Journalist, Publisher, Polemicist, Actor, philanthropist, Business Man and Motivational speaker. He is one of Nigerians’ favourite richest writers and publishers in the country’s history.
Although Dele lived a tough life while growing up, he is currently classified as of the most influential persons in the country and beyond.
He is the CEO of a popular Magazine named Ovation International. This magazine is an outstanding highly rated sell due to the quality of news and information it provides to Africans and the world at large.
Dele Momodu’s Early Life
If there’s one person who didn’t have a very rich upbringing or background, it is Dele Momodu. According to him in one of his recent interviews, he struggled to provide life’s essential materials for himself while growing up.
He is the last born of his family which consists of three children. Unfortunately, Momodu lost his dad at the age of 13, an event he claimed was too hard to get over due to the love and chemistry that existed between them.
After the demise of his dad, as expected, the responsibility to cater for the family rested on his mother’s shoulder.
Dele’s mum passed through thick and thin to ensure that the children had a good, quality and comfortable life. Despite the difficulties, Momodu and his siblings were raised and brought up to the best of their mother’s ability.
On the 18th of December 2007, tragic news broke out that Momodu’s mum had passed away. It was a piece of very sad and sorrowful news for the 47-year-old who couldn’t control his emotions as he wept bitterly.
Roles played by his parents
Though he lost his dad at such a tender age, he often told reporters the role his father played in his life. He revealed that his relationship with his dad taught him how to be a good father to his children, with or without financial influence or buoyancy.
As for his mum, he revealed tells him that he shouldn’t give up easily even if things are not going as planned.
When asked about the influence of her mother on his wealth and fame, Momodu said ”she never gave up on me for once”.
Educational Status
Dele had his first Degree in the Yoruba Language in 1982 before acquiring a Masters Degree in English Literature in 1988.
He attended the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, for his PhD Program.
On 30th December 2016, He was honoured with a Doctorate Degree (PhD), earning him a ‘Doctor of Humane Letters’ title.
Important Facts About Momodu
He observed his mandatory one-year youth service (NYSC) between 1982 to 1983. Dele Momodu served as a literature teacher at the College of Art and Science in Ile-Ife.
In 1983-1985, he worked with the deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo, as his private secretary.
In 1986, Momodu worked as a manager at Motel Royal Limited which was owned by the then Oni of Ife, Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II.
In December 1988, Dele Momodu got his first career job as a staff writer with Africa Concord Magazine, owned by Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO)
Since his first writing job, he’s been contributing to other publications such as the popular Yoruba newspaper named Isokan; National Concord, Business Concord, Sunday Concord among others.
In 1989, he became Africa Concord Magazine’s Literary Editor. Having seen his passion and dedication towards his job, he was promoted to a new and higher position as he becomes News Editor for the Weekend Concord.
He edited December Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine from 1990 to 1991, making him the highest-paid editor in Nigeria.
Torture/Exile
After joining the Moshood Abiola Campaign Group in 1993, Momodu was arrested by the Sani Abacha’s Administration for propagating the truth about Democracy in 1995.
He was mercilessly punished, beaten and detained in Alagbon prison for a very long period with treason charges. Fortunately for him, he was able to escape pretending to be a farmer through Seme Border into Cotonou, Benin Republic.
He fled to Togo where he stayed for some years. He also spent some time in Ghana before he eventually found his way through to the united kingdom.
Ovation International Magazine
He was in the United State for 3 years as he couldn’t come back to Nigeria, else he would be recaptured by Abacha.
Dele established Ovation International in 1996, while he was in the United state. After the death of Sani Abacha — his prosecutor, he created a faction of the Ovation International magazine in some parts of Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
Presently, Ovation International is Africa’s most popular Celebrity Magazine.
Marital Status and Family
On the 19th of December 1992, Dele got married to a beautiful damsel named Mobolaji Abiodun with 4 wonderful children — Pekan (born in 1994), Yole (born in 1996), Eniafe (born in 1997), Korewa (born in 2004).
Dele Momodu’s Net worth 2020
As a prominent Journalists/Publisher, who has been in the business for a long while (1996), you would expect him to have great investments and net worth.
He is said to have lands, cars and houses among other materials.
According to Forbes and other finance-related sites in Nigeria, his estimated net worth is around $30.5m this 2020.
Dele Momodu & Davido: Who Is Richer?
The question has always been who is richest between Davido, Nigeria’s richest musician and Dele Momodu, the founder of Ovation International Magazine due to the war of words between the duo concerning one of the daughters of the publisher.
While Davido’s net worth is estimated at $19 million, Dele Momodu’s net worth is put at $30.5 million which makes Momodu richer than Davido but not richer than Davido’s father, Dr Deji Adeleke.