Dr. Adewunmi Adisa, a creative entrepreneur in media and advertising, has shared how his upbringing in a tough Lagos community shaped his life. Growing up in Odo, Mushin, Lagos, Adisa described the area as a close-knit community with many destitute individuals due to drug use, cultism, and brutality. Despite the challenges, Adisa's parents, a Christian mother and a Muslim father, played a significant role in keeping him away from vices. They instilled uprightness and discipline in him, earning him the respect of the community.
Adisa's parents, particularly his father, were instrumental in shaping his values. His father, a disciplinarian, emphasized uprightness, while his mother, now 77, is known for her kindness and generosity. Adisa revealed that he took after his father's discipline and values. As a young boy, Adisa was close to the people on the street, learning their language and earning their trust. He recalled an instance where a popular deported footballer brought valuable items to his street, and the community members would bring them to Adisa's house for safekeeping.
Initially, Adisa's career ambition was to become a scientist, specifically a chemical engineer, inspired by his older cousins who were a mechanical engineer and a pharmacist. However, his life took a turn when he was exposed to Pastor Sam Adeyemi's teachings. In 1994/1995, Adisa listened to Pastor Adeyemi on the radio, who encouraged him to discover his potential. Adisa realized he had an artistic side, which he had not explored before. He began to sketch, produce, and make greeting cards, eventually leading him to consider a career in art and advertising.
Adisa's decision to pursue art and advertising led him to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he met a cousin who was the secretary for ARCON (Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria) and later APCON (the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria). His cousin introduced him to various career paths in advertising, including working in an agency or TV station. Adisa's mindset shifted, and he realized that artists were not just those who drew portraits by the roadside. He took extra GCE exams to add art-related subjects to his science background.
Adisa did not initially gain admission to OAU but was admitted to The Polytechnic Ibadan, where he was placed in Fine Arts at the Eruwa campus. He later majored in Graphics and Advertising during his HND. Adisa described his time in school as a hands-on learning experience that shaped his self-development. He was actively involved in school politics, serving as Student President of his department and Deputy Speaker of the Student Government.
After graduating, Adisa faced challenges but started working full-time in an advertising agency while waiting for his NYSC. His creativity and interpersonal skills helped him secure a job. Adisa eventually traveled to the UK, where he worked with MediaCity and later became self-employed. He also managed a church's annual concerts, bringing branding and promotion to the event, which grew significantly under his involvement.
Adisa reflected on his journey, acknowledging that his life has been shaped by various experiences. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has had, including working in advertising and managing events in the UK. Adisa's story serves as a testament to the power of discovering one's potential and exploring new career paths.
Key points
- Pastor Sam Adeyemi's teachings played a significant role in Adisa's career change from science to art and advertising.
- Adisa's upbringing in a tough Lagos community and his parents' values shaped his life and career.
- Adisa's journey in the UK involved working with MediaCity and managing a church's annual concerts, which grew significantly under his involvement.
