By Charles Pemu 
Popular car influencer, Ola of Lagos, has opened up about the stark realities and unexpected kindness he encountered when he first arrived in Lagos with virtually nothing. In a recent interview, he recounted his journey from hardship to becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognizable figures in the automobile space.
Ola’s first destination, Ikoyi, a location he associated with wealth, proved immediately unwelcoming. With a mere ₦2,000 in his pocket, he sought out an acquaintance who worked as a bricklayer there. However, the acquaintance could only offer him a dangerous arrangement: sneaking him into a construction site to sleep. That plan failed when security men drove them away.
Stranded and desperate, Ola made his way to Ajah. It was here that he approached a complete stranger who was about to board a motorbike with his children. In a moment of sheer desperation, Ola grabbed the man’s trousers and pleaded for a place to sleep.
“He refused at first because the world is not safe and he feared for his kids,” Ola recalled. “But something changed his mind. He later took me in and gave me accommodation till the next day.”
That single act of compassion made a lasting impression. Ola revealed that he still has the man’s contact saved as ‘My Helper’ and has vowed to track him down and reward him handsomely.
“One day I’ll call him, ask for his account number, and send him ₦1 million,” he promised. “If I have more by then, I may even gift him a car—it all depends on the situation.”
Ola’s touching story serves as a reminder of his humble beginnings and the enduring power of a stranger’s kindness on his journey to success.