Many will, without doubt, find motivation in the remarkable life story of Sir Prince Lewis Osobase. His success is not merely a tale of wealth but one of courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in his own vision. He is a man who, in the face of discouragement, setbacks, and near tragedy, chose to stay the course, determined to carve his own path rather than walk in the shadows of others.

At 42, Osobase, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wosina Global Resources Limited, has built a thriving company in Nigeria’s competitive oil and gas industry. What makes his story compelling is not only the scale of his success but the fact that he laid the foundation for it immediately after completing his university education and mandatory National Youth Service.

“I did not want to work for anyone in my life, and that was what encouraged me to start business as soon as I finished from the university,” he recalls. “Although I had to contend with discouragement from friends and family members who felt that I was too young and lacked the experience to succeed, I thank God that I am today a success story as a businessman.”

Choosing the Unconventional Path

Fresh out of university, Osobase was offered what many would consider a dream opportunity: automatic employment with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The job offer came as a recognition of his diligence during his service year. Yet, against conventional wisdom, he turned it down.

He chose instead to step into the uncertain world of entrepreneurship, beginning with the distribution of black oil in 2001. For him, the decision was clear—he was unwilling to be tied to the security of a salary when he could create something much larger through enterprise.

His early days in business, however, were far from glamorous. He would personally accompany hired trucks to depots, ensuring that deliveries reached market women at Lagos’s Mile 12 and other busy trading centres. He often slept in trucks on long trips, returning home reeking of kerosene. Every naira mattered, as his fledgling business was funded through modest personal savings and a small family loan.

Then tragedy struck. While transporting products from Benin to Lagos, the truck he was travelling in was involved in a serious accident at Ore, Ondo State. The products were destroyed, the truck badly damaged, and Osobase was left with visible scars on his wrist—scars he still carries today as a reminder of resilience.

For many, that incident would have been the end. But for Osobase, it became a turning point. “The scar on my wrist made me a better person. It reminded me to remain undaunted in my vision to succeed as a businessman,” he reflects.

Faith, Resilience, and a Turning Point

His determination was rooted in a mix of faith and self-belief. “I was cognisant of my ability and acumen as a businessman despite my young age. My assurance was hinged on my belief that God would make a way where there seemed to be no way. I did not doubt His ability to turn things around because I knew I was not a lazy man,” he says.

Indeed, every setback, as he would later affirm, is a tonic for a stronger comeback. His breakthrough came when a new generation bank, recognising his potential, offered him a facility to purchase his first truck. At the time, he was still operating from a one-room apartment. That financial lifeline became the seed for exponential growth.

From that single truck, Wosina Global Resources has expanded into a fleet of over 50 trucks, supported by tank farms for storage, offices across multiple states, and thousands of employees. The company’s annual turnover now runs into billions of naira.

In 2023, the company celebrated another milestone: the opening of its ultra-modern corporate head office in Festac, Lagos, a symbol of how far determination and vision can take an entrepreneur.

A Vision Beyond Oil

Though oil and gas remain the company’s core, Osobase is a man of ideas. He is diversifying the group into engineering, logistics, security, hospitality, and even footwear manufacturing.

“The engineering subsidiary of our holding company handles sales, installation, and maintenance of generators for top telecom companies at their various cell sites as well as other industrial concerns,” he explains. “We have also established a logistics company and a security outfit as part of our diversification agenda, while plans are underway to float a world-class hotel and a footwear company.”

His strategy is simple: to build a conglomerate that is not only profitable but also provides jobs and services that contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

Humility Amid Success

Despite his impressive rise, Osobase is known for his humility. “I do not have to attract importance to myself because I realise that such an attitude easily distracts one from consolidating on achievements as a businessman,” he says.

This humility has made him approachable to colleagues, employees, and associates. He understands that business is not simply about profit margins and expansion but also about relationships, character, and the values one leaves behind.

Roots and Education

Born on August 1, 1971, in Kaduna State, to Prince Williams Osobase, a trained military pharmacist, and Madam Lucy Osobase, a businesswoman, Lewis hails from Ewohimi in Esan South Local Government Area of Edo State.

He began his education at Eguare Primary School, Ewohimi, and later attended Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School, Ewohimi, for his secondary studies. His academic pursuit continued at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He later obtained an MBA from the University of Benin.

Keen on continuous learning, Osobase has attended leadership and management training programmes across the world, including Britain, Italy, the United States, and Germany. His international exposure has sharpened his outlook and expanded his capacity to manage a fast-growing conglomerate.

Giving Back

Success, for Osobase, is not complete without impact. His philosophy is simple: “I always want to be the best in whatever I do and leave a laudable landmark for others to emulate. Life has taught me to be a blessing to others.”

True to this philosophy, he established the Osobase Lewis Foundation, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting the needy and providing scholarships for indigent students across Nigeria. Through this platform, he continues to give back to society, empowering young people to rise above challenges and pursue their dreams.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

The story of Prince Lewis Osobase offers invaluable lessons for young Nigerians facing the uncertainties of unemployment and limited opportunities:

• Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you. Success often requires defying conventional wisdom.
• Be ready to make sacrifices. From sleeping in trucks to reinvesting every profit, the early days of business demand grit.
• See setbacks as stepping stones. What could have ended his dream became a catalyst for resilience.
• Leverage partnerships and opportunities. The intervention of a bank was pivotal in scaling his business.
• Remain humble. Pride is a distraction, but humility builds trust and respect.
• Give back. True success lies not only in personal wealth but in the lives positively impacted.

A Legacy in Motion

At just 42, Osobase’s story is still unfolding. From one truck and a one-room apartment, he has built a business empire that provides jobs, drives economic growth, and inspires countless young Nigerians to chase their dreams.

His journey is a testament to the power of courage, hard work, faith, and resilience. For a man who once turned down the security of a corporate job to pursue his dream, his life is proof that vision, when matched with determination, can indeed change destinies.

For Nigeria’s aspiring entrepreneurs, the story of Prince Lewis Osobase is more than a biography, it is a blueprint.