Daniel Akintola, a resilient Nigerian entrepreneur, has etched his name in African history on the UK soil, clinching the prestigious title of 2024 IAMBCU Awards Entrepreneur of the Year – Student at Birmingham City University, England, for his groundbreaking work with OH PRIME TV.
Akintola’s journey is a testament to perseverance, shaped by the challenges of the Nigerian dream. Raised in Mushin, Lagos, he overcame the early loss of his father and was nurtured by the unwavering faith of his widowed mother.
Despite the odds, he earned his stripes, graduating with a National Diploma in Accounting from Ogun Polytechnic, Abeokuta, and later a B.Sc in Accounting from The Lagos State University (LASU).
Akintola’s ascent to success took flight in the corporate world at Precise Financial Systems (PFS), where his audit prowess caught the eye of mentor Ayeni.
His tenacity in scrutinizing bank charges led to substantial refunds, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial venture. In 2007, he took the leap, founding Danny Brooks Technologies, a pioneering media tech startup offering comprehensive online broadcasting and streaming solutions.
Amidst the tumult of the 2020 pandemic, Akintola seized the digital wave, partnering with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (R.C.C.G) to digitize their annual Ministry Partners’ Dinner event.
This collaboration birthed Africa’s first zero subscription online TV platform, OH PRIME (Open Heavens Prime), catapulting Akintola into the limelight of tech innovation.
Recognition soon followed, with Akintola’s endeavors earning him accolades as one of BusinessDay’s Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs in Nigeria in January 2024.
He further cemented his legacy as the West African Winner of the Global Start-up Award: Diversity Role Model. Now, Akintola adds another feather to his cap, being honored at Birmingham City University, where he is on the verge of completing his International M.B.A degree.
Reflecting on his journey, Akintola attributes his success to “the mercies of God and my own dexterity of not wanting to allow my background peg my back to the ground.”
He hopes his story will ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in Nigeria, proving that dreams do materialize with resilience and determination.
I wish all Nigerians in diaspora can have this spirit to dare to be different.