At Richlist Nigeria, we celebrate stories that inspire resilience, success, and transformation. Few tales encapsulate these virtues better than the encounter between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola—a story of ambition, rejection, and eventual triumph. Their interaction not only highlights the value of purpose but also demonstrates how determination can alter destinies.
The Beginning of a Vision
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, known as the “best president Nigeria never had,” embodied vision and focus from an early age. In 1943, he penned a heartfelt letter to Chief Adeola Odutola, one of the wealthiest Nigerians at the time, requesting an educational loan of £1,400 to pursue his studies in England. The letter, written with sincerity and eloquence, outlined his dream of becoming a lawyer, journalist, and politician—a combination he believed essential to effecting meaningful change in Nigeria.
However, Chief Odutola, despite his vast wealth and status, turned down the request. This rejection might have deterred many, but not Awolowo. Instead, it fueled his determination. By August 1944, just a year later, he had raised the funds himself and set sail for England.
Rising Above Rejection
By 1946, Awolowo had achieved his goal, becoming a barrister and earning the LL.B degree. Upon his return to Nigeria, he embarked on a remarkable career that saw him reshape the political and educational landscape of the Western Region. By 1954—just a year before his promised repayment deadline—Awolowo had become the Premier of the Western Region and initiated Africa’s first free education program, granting scholarships to hundreds of undergraduates.
This success was a testament to his unwavering determination, clear vision, and refusal to let external setbacks dictate his destiny.
THE LETTER
Dear Mr. Odutola,
I think it will be an exceeding saving of time and more business-like if I avoid all sweet preliminaries and go straight into the object of this letter and say that I am writing to ask you to be good enough to lend me a sum of £1,400 (One thousand and four hundred pounds) free of interest for twelve years.
It is a staggering figure! More staggering indeed does it become, when it is realized that I, who am asking for this loan, have nothing in all the world to give as a security for this money, excepting my good faith and my brains which again are of value only so long as I continue to breathe the breath of life!
Nevertheless, I here proceed to outline in brief why i want this big loan from you. And I hope you will be kind enough to sacrifice some time to go through what I have to say, even though , in the end you might find yourself unable to do me this grand favour.
One great ambition of mine since my boyhood days is to be a lawyer, a politician and a journalist, rolled into one. I cherish politics and journalism as a career. ; and I desire advocacy as a means of livelihood. For you will agree with me that a politician or journalist who has no money with which to support himself and family comfortably ,is like a blade which has no razor.
Now, at one time, I was on the verge of making enough money with which I could proceed to England in order to pursue the object of my ambition; but I suffered a twist in my fortune, and I crashed. Ever since, I have tried without success to recover lost grounds, financially. But spiritually and intellectually, I have made appreciable advance in spite of towering difficulties, all of which have now been surmounted.
As you are aware, I have just passed the intermediate Bachelor of Commerce Examination. Next year, I am taking the final B.Com. Having a degree is not my goal; I hate to be a government or mercantile employee. Otherwise, there are opportunities for me here and there to get a suitable and well paid job under government or one of the mercantile houses. As you know, however, once I become an employee of government or a mercantile establishment that is the end to my career as a politician and journalist. I have therefore resolved that under no circumstances will I take up such employment.
That is just by the way. I am now thirty-four years of age. After careful thought, I have come to the conclusion that if I could raise a loan free of interest sufficient to cover expenses , I should go to England , this year and within three years, I should qualify as a Barrister –at –law, and also obtain with Honours the LL.B Degree of London University. In addition this degrees apart from giving me good backing as a solicitor and Advocate will help me immensely as a politician and journalist.
But where on earth could i get the money? Who in Nigeria today could give £1400 free of interest to help his fellow-man? J.Henry Doherty, Esq., of illustrious memory who did the like to many successful Nigerians is no more. But after meticulous, shifting and weighing, I hit upon you.
I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that out of the bounty with which providence blesses your grit and efforts as a businessman, you can well easily afford to advance such a sum of money. I have no doubt too that as a young and progressive man you will be quite happy to give the money for the pursuit of the project for which I desire it.
But then, could you take this risk?
That is the question. As I have said before, I have no security for this loan. Moreover, I want it free of interest. So that you stand to gain absolutely NOTHING in the whole transaction ,except the satisfaction that by helping me to achieve my ambition you are indirectly or even directly helping Nigeria or even Africa.
This risk becomes greater when it is borne in mind that I might die in the course of my studies or immediately after , so that, since I have no security or surety, you stand the chance of losing not only the money but also the satisfaction which you may cherish that you are contributing to the uplift of Africa. It is indeed a great risk; the greatest any man ever embarks upon.
But, this is a big BUT, if I live, as I have no doubt I will do, you will not only get your money back in full, but you will , to the end of your days , have cause to rejoice that you have done one of the most outstanding and most philanthropic acts any human being ever does. Among other things, I shall make excellent use of the money while in England by breaking records in my examination. On my return to Nigeria, I shall strive to be one of the foremost advocates, politicians and writers in West Africa, and while I do all these, I shall make it a point not only to pay your money back in full, but also to repay your kindness and generosity towards me in every way I can.
All the same, it is a big risk! So , Sir, I like you to think seriously about it, and see if you can take it in the interest of a young man who has brains ,industry and determination to back his ambition , but lacks the money. I know we have never been close friends, but I have a shrewd idea that you may take the risk and help me.
On this assumption, therefore, I proceed to the next and last stage of this letter.
I shall not require the whole £1,400 in a lump sum. To start with, you will help me pay a sum of £208-13s-3d to the Inner Temple. I have already received an application form from this Inn of Court; and from the details forwarded, I gather that the sum of £208-13s-3d will cover all the cost of training as a Barrister, examination fees excluded.
When I am ready to sail, you will advance me a sum of £100 to cover passage, provision for my family and any other incidental expenses( NOTE: If i got torpedoed on the way, you would certainly lose this £100 but you will recover the £208-13s-3d).
At the same time you will remit to a London Bank the sum of £491-6s-9d. It is out of this amount that I shall pay the university fees for LL.B course a, and for special courses in political science and journalism, when I land in England. This is to say, the initial advance will total £800.
At the end of the first year, provided I make satisfactory progress in my studies, you will give instruction to the bank to honour all cheques from me drawn on this account. There will be an arrangement to be signed by me on my return.
On my return, I shall require TWO years within which to establish a solid practice and build a good reputation. After these two years, I should commence to pay at least £200 per annum either in monthly, quarterly or annual payments. So that in seven years after the first two years, I should pay back the whole sum of £1,400. That will be TWELVE YEARS from the time you help me to pay this in April or so this year, then I should be due to pay the whole of £1400 by April 1955.
Now, as you yourself will see, this is the farthest limit within which I can pay the money. It may be possible for me to pay the money within THREE to FIVE years of my return. As a matter of fact, the sooner I pay it off, the better. But it is much better to be on the safe side in a matter like this. It is no making promises now which will be difficult to fulfil in future. On the contrary it is better to mention a period of twelve years and pay within SIX or EIGHT years than to mention FIVE YEARS and fail to pay within TEN years. Personally, I prefer that I should fail to get the loan under theses unattractive but sure conditions, rather than succeed in getting it under attractive but precarious conditions.
Now, this is all I have to say. You have my request before you, and the reason why i make the request. It is left to you to decide whether it is worthwhile to take the risk of helping me in the manner outlined above or not.
If you do me the great favour, not only myself and all that are mine, but also God and Africa will be grateful, I shall have no cause whatsoever to grumble or to blame you, FOR THE RISK IS GREAT.
Since this is a very selfish request, I enclose herewith a stamped addressed envelope for a reply to be sent to me under registered cover.
With very kind regards.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd) Obafemi Awolowo.
(Culled from the book, Chief Obafemi Awolowo: The Political Moses by Adedara Oduguwa, Page 119-123).
The Wealth of Two Titans
Chief Adeola Odutola was no less remarkable in his own right. Born in 1902, seven years before Awolowo, he was a pioneering entrepreneur who built a vast business empire spanning cocoa trading, energy, manufacturing, and real estate. As Nigeria’s first President of the Manufacturers Association and later President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Odutola was a beacon of indigenous success.
However, when Awolowo approached him for the loan, it was not a lack of wealth but perhaps a cautious outlook that led to his refusal. Despite this, fate eventually brought the two men together in mutual respect and collaboration. Awolowo later honored Odutola as the Ogbeni-Oja of Ijebu Ode, and Odutola served in the Action Group, Awolowo’s political party.
Lessons for Nigeria’s Youth and Leaders
This story offers profound lessons for anyone aspiring to greatness:
1.Definiteness of Purpose: Awolowo’s unshakeable clarity of vision—to become a lawyer, journalist, and politician—served as his compass, guiding every decision he made. For success, knowing what you want is as important as pursuing it.
2.Resilience in the Face of Rejection: When Odutola declined his request, Awolowo didn’t give up. Instead, he adjusted his strategy and found another way to achieve his goals. This resilience is a critical ingredient for success in any endeavor.
3.The Power of Determination: Awolowo’s journey underscores that grit and persistence often outweigh resources in the pursuit of dreams. By focusing on what he could control, he overcame obstacles and achieved greatness.
4.Destiny is Delayed, Not Denied: Chief Awolowo’s story reminds us that setbacks are temporary. With faith, hard work, and perseverance, goals can still be realized, even when the path is uncertain.
A Legacy That Endures
Today, Chief Obafemi Awolowo is remembered as one of Nigeria’s greatest visionaries, while Chief Adeola Odutola is celebrated as a trailblazer in Nigerian business. Together, their story reflects the interplay of wealth, ambition, and destiny, and serves as a reminder that success is as much about persistence as it is about opportunity.
At Richlist Nigeria, we honor stories like this because they inspire us to aspire for greatness, no matter the odds. Awolowo and Odutola remind us that while wealth may be an enabler, true success is built on purpose, determination, and an unwavering belief in oneself.
