Waris Olayinka Akinwande, popularly known as Ola of Lagos, is a testament to how social media can transform lives.
Born on June 19, 1997, in Ogun State, Nigeria, Ola grew up in a modest background. He started working as a cleaner in the affluent area of Lekki, Lagos, a job driven by his family’s financial struggles.
Despite his humble beginnings, His passion for exotic cars set him on an extraordinary path. While cleaning, he began taking photos and videos of luxury vehicles he encountered in Lekki, sharing them on Instagram. His love for cars and the way he captured them soon caught the attention of social media users, particularly Tunde Ednut, a well-known influencer and former musician. Ednut’s reposting of Ola’s content brought him into the limelight.
Ola’s big break came when Tunde Ednut organized a raffle to celebrate reaching 2 million followers, where he emerged as the winner of 2 million naira. This windfall was a pivotal moment, but it was further amplified when Nigerian music superstar Davido noticed him and sponsored his trip to Dubai for the prestigious Dubai Car Week.
Since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has signed lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Suji Motors and Pramajeed Securities, cementing his status as a leading figure in Nigeria’s social media and automotive circles. Today, his net worth is estimated at around $500,000, a remarkable achievement for someone who started with so little.
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Ola’s journey is a powerful story of how passion, coupled with the right opportunities, can lead to success beyond imagination.