From Food Vendor to Riches, How Fortune Smiled on Doja Otedola, Mother of Nigerian Billionaire

The inspirational story of Lady Doja Otedola ‘s road to stardom as  the former Lagos First Lady and mother to one of Nigeria’s billionaires, Femi Otedola has not been told and not known to people in  many quarters.

But what most people will find even more fascinating about this great Amazon  is her winning streaks  which is a rarity among the Nigerian elites.

Lady Doja is really a woman of many accomplishments, and recorded many firsts to the bargain.

Prominent among the grounds she broke after battling a poverty war was when she became Lagos First Lady during her late husband  (Sir Micheal Agbolade Otedola) ‘s tenure as governor of the state.

Before climbing the success ladder, Lady Doja has had rough patches in  life.

Unknown to many,  Doja in the 80s to early 90s was a food vendor at University of Lagos International School where she hawked rice and beans to survive.

Further dig confirmed  that she was known and well  loved by students and  including few  teachers who cannot resist her delicious rice and stew.

One of  her die-hard customers, an old student of  the  school who craved anonymity posited that this  is her time to enjoy her life having faced rigors of life during her formative years.

She said:  “ I can still remember vividly how mama hawked rice inside Unilag secondary school.

“Old students of Unilag secondary school in the 80s  could attest to the fact because  Femi and his other two brothers assisted their mummy at that time running the business. She  also   had a small kiosk in the school premises where she used to run her business .

“Apart from running a  shop, she had a small car she used to sell her food around the school. She sells by herself. The old woman no doubt is  a mother figure who has paid her dues in life and I am  so happy for her, she concluded.

However, today the rest is history as Femi has continue to celebrate his mother‘s birthday on every April 3.

Just fortnight ago when Mama clocked 90, Femi had the cause to celebrate his mother again in a grand celebration.

The  Epe, Lagos home of Otedola clan was shut  down as the crème de la crème of the society gathered to celebrate with the mother of the billionaire businessman.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ,Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and several governors including Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwn Emefiele among others  were in attendance,

Femi no doubt showed the world what his mother mean to him with the gathering.

He showed what hospitality was all about as he treated guests to a classy display of affluence and made  the day a never-to-be-forgotten one.