Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has symbolically adopted renowned real estate expert and entrepreneur Femi Joshua as his son, in what has been described as a significant gesture of recognition for the businessman’s contributions to entrepreneurship and youth development.
The symbolic adoption reportedly took place during a recent meeting between the former president and Joshua, where both men reflected on Nigeria’s economic transformation and the opportunities created through key policy reforms implemented during Obasanjo’s administration.
Speaking after the meeting, Joshua expressed profound gratitude for the honour, describing it as one of the defining moments of his life and career. He said Obasanjo’s confidence in him serves as both an inspiration and a challenge to continue making meaningful contributions to national development.
According to Joshua, the liberalisation of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector under Obasanjo’s presidency laid the foundation for a new generation of entrepreneurs and significantly transformed the country’s business landscape.
He noted that the reforms opened unprecedented opportunities for millions of Nigerians by attracting private investment, expanding access to telecommunications services, and creating an enabling environment for innovation and enterprise.
Joshua said the impact of those policies extended beyond the telecom industry, stimulating growth across various sectors of the economy and empowering many young Nigerians to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
He also commended Obasanjo’s leadership style, describing the former president as a visionary leader whose economic reforms continue to influence Nigeria’s development years after leaving office.
The real estate entrepreneur pledged to uphold the values of integrity, service, and excellence that Obasanjo represents, adding that the symbolic father-son relationship would further motivate him to invest in initiatives that promote economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development.
Observers have described the symbolic adoption as a reflection of the former president’s longstanding tradition of mentoring young leaders and entrepreneurs from different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
While no legal adoption is involved, the gesture is widely seen as a mark of trust, affection, and recognition of Joshua’s achievements in the real estate industry and his commitment to national development.
The development has generated interest among supporters and associates of both men, with many describing the symbolic relationship as an encouragement for young entrepreneurs striving to make positive impacts in Nigeria’s business environment.
