From automobile pioneer to education advocate, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo’s journey reflects innovation, philanthropy, and national development.
The man in the image is Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, a distinguished Nigerian businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence spans the automobile and education sectors. He is best known as the founder of Elizade Motors and Elizade University, two institutions that have become symbols of innovation, excellence, and national pride.
Born on June 14, 1938, in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Michael Ade-Ojo’s early life was marked by resilience and ambition. Coming from humble beginnings, he understood the value of hard work and education from a young age. After completing his early education, he attended Imade College, Owo, and later graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned a degree in Business Administration in 1965.
Shortly after graduation, Ade-Ojo began his career at the British Petroleum (BP) company. However, his entrepreneurial drive soon led him to establish his own business. In 1971, alongside his late wife Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo, he founded Elizade Independent Agencies (EIA) — a company that would later become synonymous with automobile excellence in Nigeria. The name “Elizade” was coined from the combination of Elizabeth and Ade-Ojo.
Under his leadership, Elizade Motors revolutionized the Nigerian automobile market. Ade-Ojo secured partnerships with international car manufacturers, most notably Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, which eventually led to the widespread adoption of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria. His visionary business strategies and consistent reliability earned him the affectionate nickname “Mr. Toyota.”
By the late 1980s and 1990s, Elizade Motors had become a household name, representing quality, trust, and innovation. The company’s success story laid the foundation for Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), which became one of the leading automobile distributors in the country. Ade-Ojo’s model of efficiency and integrity helped shape the Nigerian automobile distribution landscape, inspiring many young entrepreneurs.
Beyond business, Chief Ade-Ojo has made enormous contributions to education and community development. In 2012, his long-held dream of establishing a world-class higher institution came true when the Federal Government of Nigeria licensed Elizade University, located in his hometown of Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. The university, built with a vision to promote excellence and innovation, offers a serene learning environment and modern infrastructure — a testament to Ade-Ojo’s commitment to youth empowerment and national progress.
Through his philanthropic initiatives, Ade-Ojo has funded scholarships, endowments, and educational projects to support talented but financially disadvantaged students. It is reported that he has invested over ₦40 billion into Elizade University, reflecting his lifelong passion for education and human capital development.
His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2005, among several industry and humanitarian awards. Despite his success, Ade-Ojo remains deeply connected to his roots. He continues to invest in the infrastructural development of Ilara-Mokin, transforming it into one of the most progressive towns in Ondo State.
Today, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo’s legacy extends beyond automobiles and education. He embodies the values of perseverance, innovation, and community service — qualities that have inspired generations of Nigerian entrepreneurs. His story reminds us that success is not merely about wealth, but about creating institutions that outlive one’s lifetime.
References:
Elizade University Official Website
Vanguard Nigeria, “Ade-Ojo at 85: Celebrating the Man Who Brought Toyota to Nigeria” (2023)
Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has revealed that she lost ₦5 million after placing a bet during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, saying the experience has discouraged her from gambling again.
The actress disclosed this in a post shared on her Instagram handle on Monday, shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
“First time betting and I lost . Will never try it again. My 5M gone . In fact am done watching football. Anxiety almost killed me,” she wrote.
Etiko, however, did not disclose the particular bet she placed or provide further details about how she lost the money.
Earlier, during the World Cup final, the actress shared a series of updates on her Instagram Story, indicating she was backing Argentina to defeat Spain.
In one post, she wrote, “Argentina all the way. Who can’t wait?”
As the match progressed, she appeared increasingly frustrated with Argentina’s performance, posting, “This ball tough o. Argentina is pissing me off.”
She also praised Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for keeping the defending champions in the game, writing, “The goal keeper is the savior oo.”
PUNCH Online had reported that Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the second period of extra time to hand Spain their second World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina played the closing stages with 10 men after midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second bookable offence, while Spain dominated possession before eventually finding the breakthrough through Torres.
The self-styled Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, was arrested last Tuesday by the Intelligence Response Team led by Chief Superintendent of Police, Moses Lohor.
It was learnt that Adeyemi was arrested between 11am and 12pm inside a building in the Ijebu-Ijesa area of Osun State.
The suspect’s arrest followed a bench warrant issued against him by a Federal High Court in Abuja after he allegedly failed to appear for arraignment on eight counts.
Giving details of the operation that led to the arrest, a senior police officer in the Osun State Police Command, in an interview with Punch, said Adeyemi’s location was first uncovered in the Aregbe-Fakule area of Osogbo on July 9 after evading tracking by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The police officer said Lohor’s team took over the tracking after the DSS withdrew from the case.
He added that the operatives eventually located Adeyemi in Ilesa and subsequently arrested him on Tuesday morning.
The source said, “The Moses Lohor team were in Osun for surveillance ahead of the August 15 governorship election. They were mapping hotspots and collating other intelligence. As a matter of fact, the Lohor team didn’t report to the Osun State Police Command. They operated from the area commander’s office at Oke-Fia in Osogbo.
“Adeyemi was already on their watch list, but they didn’t act because the case was being handled by the DSS. Adeyemi’s last known location tracked by the DSS was Ibadan, but they couldn’t apprehend him because he regularly switched off his phone.
“A senior police officer from Abuja informed the Lohor team about the DSS withdrawal on Wednesday. Lohor’s team then decided to track Adeyemi’s location on Thursday, July 9. Incidentally, he was located around the Aregbe-Fakule area of Osogbo.
“Luckily for them, late on Monday night, Adeyemi’s location showed he was around Ilesa, and the Lohor team intensified efforts, which led to his arrest on Tuesday morning. The team only informed the Osun State Commissioner of Police when they moved in to make the arrest.”
Adeyemi is reportedly being detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, from where he is expected to be arraigned on July 27.
Popular Nollywood actress in the Yoruba movie industry, Biola Fowosere, has opened up about the challenges she faced after her ex-husband left their marriage.
It was reports that Biola, during an interview on African A List, said her ex-husband abandoned her and their children despite not doing anything wrong in the union.
The thespian who broke down in tears during the interview said her ex-husband is the only person she would like to ask why he abandoned his family.
Biola also spoke about battling severe depression after the separation, spending one year and six months in the hospital while struggling to recover emotionally.
According to the movie star, she almost lost her sanity, adding that it has been seven years since they lost contact.
She said, “The only person I’d really want to ask a question is my ex-husband. I’d really like to ask him what I did wrong because I did nothing before he left me and the kids. I want to ask what my children and I did to deserve what he did to us,” she said.
“I spent one year and six months in the hospital battling depression after he left. I almost ran mad. We are not in contact. Since he left, we haven’t seen him. He blocked us seven years ago.”
