Dele Momodu: Biography, career, politics, net worth, controversies

Ayobámidélé Abayomi Ojutelégàn Ajani Momodu, also known as Chief Dele Momodu, is a businessman, motivational speaker, and journalist/publisher from Nigeria.

He is the CEO and publisher of Ovation International, a publication that has helped people worldwide, but primarily in Africa, gain recognition.

He formally launched Ovation TV in 2015, and soon after, The Boss, an online newspaper, was also launched. 

Table of Content hide 1Dele Momodu Biography 2Career 3Politics 4Dele Momodu net worth 5Family 6Dele Momodu age 7Controversies 8Conclusion

Dele Momodu Biography

Chief Dele Momodu was born to a family of five in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on May 16, 1960. He was raised by his mother, who passed away on May 18, 2007, after losing his father when he was 13. 

Dele Momodu received his early schooling at a local authority primary school in Ile-Ife. He obtained a degree in Yoruba at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, where he also got a Masters in English Literature.

He received an honorary doctoral degree (Ph.D.) on July 30, 2016, from the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Ghana, conferring the title “Doctor of Humane Letters” upon him.

ALSO READ: Akin Adesina: Biography, career, achievements, net worth

Career

He lectured at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife between 1982 and 1983 while serving in the military. He served as Chief Akin Omoboriowo’s private secretary from 1983 to 1985. Chief Omoboriowo was the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

Momodu managed Motel Royal Limited, which belonged to the then-Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, in 1986. Momodu left Motel Royal and enrolled for his postgraduate degree in English Literature. At this time, he submitted stories to Nigerian papers, including The Guardian, Sunday Tribune, and others.

Dele Momodu began working as a staff writer for African Concord, a Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola publication, in May 1988. Momodu was hired as a pioneer staff member at Weekend Concord a year later. In March 1989, he created the paper’s first cover story. The National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord, and the Yoruba daily Isokan were among the numerous periodicals he wrote for. 

He was appointed Literary Editor in May 1989, and six months later, he was appointed News Editor of the Weekend Concord. He served as the editor of May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine, from May 1990 to September 1991. This position made him the highest-paid editor in Nigeria.

He left his position and tried his hand at running a business for his mentor Moshood Abiola, who owned “Wonderloaf,” as a bread distributor. After that, Momodu founded Celebrities-Goodwill Limited, a public relations company that handled the accounts of Moshood Abiola, Mike Adenuga, and Hakeem Belo-Osagie.

 Momodu left his position in 1993 to work for the Moshood Abiola presidential campaign. Following General Ibrahim Babangida’s annulment of the presidential election on June 12, Momodu was detained in Alagbon, close to Lagos. The ruling regime punished him for his pro-democracy ideas, but he was unfazed. He was to be detained and tried for treason by the Sani Abacha regime, which was in power at the time, in 1995.

After Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was killed, Momodu was charged with being one of the masterminds behind the illegal radio station Radio Freedom (also known as Radio Kudirat). He fled by posing as a farmer and crossing the Seme border into Cotonou, Benin Republic. From there, he travelled to Togo, Ghana, and ultimately the United Kingdom. He was prevented from returning to his native Nigeria for three agonizing years.

Chief Momodu founded Ovation International in 1996 while he was still in exile. Momodu’s exile ended when Abiola died in prison, and his assailant, Sani Abacha, also died. Since then, he has developed Ovation International, making it one of Africa’s most well-liked celebrity publications. Ovation International has editions in English and French, making it the only bilingual magazine in Africa.

Momodu has hosted an annual celebration known as the Ovation Red Carol (later changed to Ovation Carol and Awards) since 2008. The Red Carol, which takes place every December and has become one of West Africa’s most-loved Christmas celebrations, features musical and dramatic performances, fashion exhibits, and award ceremonies for various philanthropic organisations. 

It was hosted in Lagos, Nigeria, from 2008 to 2012, but in December 2013, it moved to Accra, Ghana. Wyclef Jean was the headlining act in 2013, and J. J. Rawlings, the former president of Ghana, also attended. Other notable international performers included MI, Ice Prince, and Burna Boy.

ALSO READ: Ayo Adebanjo: Biography, more you didn’t know about Afenifere leader

In 2015, two concerts were staged for the first time: one in Accra and the other in Lagos, Nigeria, with American singer Evelyn Champagne King headlining the Lagos concert.

The 2016 show was co-hosted by actor Richard Mofe Damijo and Ovation anchor Daala Oruwari, and it was held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. Former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama attended the Globacom-sponsored event, which featured performances by Korede Bello, Flavour N’abania, Reekado Banks, King Sunny Ade, and Simi. Also, OJB Jezreel’s family was on hand to see a presentation of the late producer’s remembrance.

Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote were among the guests at the 2017 show, which featured performances by Tiwa Savage, 2baba, Davido, Sinach, Sammie Okposo, D’banj, DJ Cuppy, Banky W, Sir Shina Peters, and Ebenezer Obey. The Esther Ajayi Foundation sponsored the 2018 edition with a star-studded roster that included Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Mr. Eazi, Falz, DJ Cuppy, Teni, Mayorkun, Yinka Ayefele, Sinach, Sammie Okposo, and more.

Politics

In September 2010, Dele Momodu formally expressed his desire to participate in the 2011 presidential election as a candidate for the Labour Party. But since the Labour Party withdrew from the presidential contest, he ended up competing on the National Conscience Party’s platform and fell short against Goodluck Jonathan in the general elections. He later claimed that this presidential election was the result of frustration. 

Momodu announced in February 2022 that he intended to run for Nigerian president on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) platform. He, however, lost the primaries to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Dele Momodu net worth

Dele Momodu has succeeded as a businessman, politician, and media figure. His social capital is enormous since he is well-liked and well-known globally. His net worth is thought to be $40 million.

Family

Dele wed his wife Mobolaji Abiodun Momodu on December 19, 1992. They have four kids: Pekan (1994), Yole (1996), Eniafe (1997), and Korewa (born 2004).

ALSO READ: Kenneth Okonkwo: Biography, movies, politics, controversy, net worth

Dele Momodu age

Dele Momodu was born on May 16, 1960. He is 62 years old.

Controversies

Dele Momodu and Davido had a rift following the infant kidnapping story involving the singer and Sophia Momodu, Dele’s niece, in December 2015. 

Momodu and Davido exchanged words on social media following an alleged attempt by Davido to snatch the baby from Sophia and leave the country.

Momodu reportedly stopped Davido from taking the then-7-month-old child away without her mother. The Ovation boss did not sheath his sword despite Davido’s apology to the Momodus during the heated argument. He remained adamant.

After two years of “fight”, Davido and Dele Momodu finally made up. 

They reconciled during the 10th annual Ovation Red Carol in Lagos, which was held in December 2017.

Following his performance on stage, Davido apologized to Momodu, earning him an embrace from the event’s presenter and media mogul. Later, when he posted their images on his Instagram page, Davido was hailed by Momodu for his maturity. 

“True reconciliation, wonderful delight,” he wrote. “God bless Davido. God grant Dr. Adedeji Adeleke blessings for his exceptional maturity. The Momodu family is to be praised for their affable nature. We live as a unit.”

Conclusion

Momodu has won several accolades for his contributions to the fields of business, politics, literature, the music industry, and the fashion industry. He publishes a piece titled Pendulum every Saturday on the back page of ThisDay newspaper. 

The pieces are lauded for drawing attention to problems in Nigeria and for examining well-known subjects, current affairs, and important figures, frequently polemically or critically.

ALSO READ: Lai Mohammed: Biography, career, controversies, net worth