Nigerian billionaire and businessman Terry Waya has opened up about how he became a billionaire.
In an interview with School of Hard Knocks, he revealed that he became a billionaire 20 years ago and is one of Nigeria’s biggest farmers.
He disclosed that the most money he has made in a single year was $ 200 million.
Terry expressed confidence that if he lost everything now, he could regain it because of his formula: investing in others.
According to him, if he ever hits rock bottom, all he needs is to make a phone call, and he will get back on his feet. He emphasised that he has lots of contacts and networks.
The father of BBNaija Kiddwaya made a shocking revelation, saying he created Banana Island through his Military contacts and that Nigeria’s richest people now live there.
Sharing his negotiation secret, he said he avoids desperation and approaches business deals as though he isn’t interested.
“I became a billionaire 20 years ago. I am one of the biggest farmers in Nigeria. Very, very serious farmer.
The most money I made in a single year was 200 million dollars.
If I lost everything tomorrow, I could make it all back.
I have the formula; I wouldn’t give it to you.
My secret is investing in people, so if I get up tomorrow and need anything, it’s just a phone call away. I have a lot of contacts and a lot of network who created Banana Island using my Military contacts. Today, the richest people in Nigeria live there.
My secret to negotiation is that when you go into a negotiation, a desperate man will always make mistakes.
I hate desperation; I am calm.
Go in as if you are not interested, and you’ll have the leverage”.
Sharing a message to the younger generation, he told them never to forget the path they took to get to the top and never abandon family to chase riches.
“My message to the younger generation is: no matter how far you have gone, never forget the road that is taking you there. Because you might need that road to go back to where you’re coming from. If you lose your family while trying to be rich, when you get rich, you won’t have them back; they’re gone.
Just pray that you don’t lose too much in trying to be successful”.
Praising Nigerians, he said we are smart and love to copy others.
“Nigerians are very, very smart; Nigerians like to copy, and any copy is better than the original”.