Integrity made me quit my first job after one month — Ex-banker, Adeniji

At 80, an ex-banker, Mr Johnson Adeniji, shares with TEMITOPE ADETUNJI insights into his childhood, banking career, family life, and the values that shaped his journey

Could you share your early life and background?

I was born on April 9, 1946, about three months after the death of my father. My father died on December 18, 1945, before I was born, so I never had the opportunity to know him personally. I came from a humble background and was raised in a village called Akinale, about 15 miles from the Abeokuta-Lagos Road.

I am the first son in a great family of warriors from the Owu Kingdom of Abeokuta. My father was a learned man who hailed from Akiode but later settled in Abalabi due to famine, as farming was the people’s major occupation at the time. My mother, on the other hand, was a hardworking and industrious trader. She owned a large market space in Ojo and traded extensively in Badagry and Ikorodu.

Growing up was not easy. Before my father passed away, he left his three wives pregnant, and I happened to be the first child delivered as well as the first son in the family. After I was weaned, my mother left me in the care of my great-grandmother for some time so she could continue working hard to provide for my survival and upbringing.

At the time, my great-grandmother was a wealthy farmer who owned vast farmland in Akinale. Much of my childhood was spent under her care, and she became a strong pillar in my life.

My mother also lost her mother at an early stage. She did everything within her power to ensure that I was properly cared for despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the family. Her strength, discipline, and resilience greatly influenced my upbringing.

For my primary school education, I attended Akinale Baptist Day School in the village. Life there was very simple. We had no luxuries, but we were raised with discipline, strong community values, and deep respect for elders.

How did your father’s death and the large family structure shape your childhood experiences?

My mother already had a daughter before she gave birth to me, so from my mother’s side, we were two children. The other wives also had children, so we became a large extended family. Although we grew up under challenging conditions, we still maintained family ties and relationships with one another.

How was your educational journey after primary school?

After completing my primary education at Akinale Baptist Day School, Abeokuta, I sat entrance examinations into two schools and was eventually admitted to Alabama Baptist Modern School, Abeokuta.

At that time, modern schools were regarded as institutions above primary schools but below full secondary schools. However, destiny played an important role in my life. The school had a tradition of transferring exceptionally bright students to Baptist Boys’ High School after their first year. Fortunately, I was among those selected.

Instead of restarting from the beginning, I was admitted directly into the second year at Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta, where I completed my West African School Certificate Examination in 1964 with good results. That transition became a major turning point in my educational journey.

During school holidays, my late sister, Olatunde Asunke (née Adeniji), our aunties, and I hawked cooking basins and breakable plates to support the family. I was also aware that pursuing a university education at the time would be difficult, as my mother was solely responsible for our upkeep.

How did your career begin?

After secondary school, I secured employment with the Federal Ministry of Health in Lagos in July 1965 as a clerk attached to a public health inspection unit. Our duties included accompanying officials to markets and other public places where traders operating illegally on the streets were apprehended.

However, my time there was brief. During one of the operations, an officer attempted to give me money collected from traders in exchange for allowing them to keep their goods. I felt deeply uncomfortable with the situation and refused to accept the money.

When I later informed my mother, Mrs Morenike Adeniji, a respected trader and my major source of support, she became worried and warned that my refusal could make me a target among those involved.

That experience convinced me that I could not be part of such practices, and I resigned after just one month.

Determined to build a better future, I pursued an opportunity in banking. My banking career officially began on August 9, 1965, at the 40 Marina, Lagos branch of Barclays Bank DCO. While working there, I enrolled for the Associate Institute of Bankers examinations, now known as ACIB.

While working as a banker, what other endeavours were you involved in?

I was also active as a unionist, which sometimes affected my promotion opportunities, but I remained committed to my growth and eventually became an AIB-qualified banker and later a life member of the institute. I was subsequently awarded a Fellowship of the institute (FCIB).

I steadily rose through the ranks at Barclays Bank and later Union Bank after the transition, moving from B Officer to A Officer and eventually into management. I later became Head of Organisation and Methods. It was during this period that I married my wife, Mrs Oluyinka Adeniji (née Odukoya), in 1977.

In 1979, I left Union Bank of Nigeria for the Savannah Bank Training School, where I later became a Senior Training Officer. I then became the Branch Manager of the Broad Street Branch, Lagos.

Later, I was appointed Lagos/West Area Manager and supervised the establishment of several branches, including those in Ilorin and Abeokuta. I left Savannah Bank as an Assistant General Manager at the Head Office.

Seeking new challenges, I later joined the Merchant Bank of Commerce as General Manager and eventually rose to the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, which marked the peak of my banking career. During my time in the industry, my name was featured in the ‘Who’s Who in Banking’ publication before I voluntarily retired from active service.

How did you meet your wife?

We attended the same Baptist church in Mushin called Ashabi Baptist Church. She was a member of the choir and very devoted to church activities.

Over time, I became attracted to her character, conduct, and commitment to God. I admired her calm nature and the seriousness with which she served in church.

Eventually, I approached her and expressed my intention to marry her. Initially, she was hesitant, but with time, she accepted.

What did you enjoy most about being a banker?

One of the things I enjoyed most was the respect associated with the profession. In those days, bankers were highly regarded in society. People trusted bankers because they were seen as disciplined, reliable, and responsible individuals.

Bank managers were often given leadership responsibilities within social clubs and community organisations because people had confidence in their integrity and judgment.

I also enjoyed the culture of discipline within the banking industry. Punctuality was extremely important. When I worked at Marina, I lived around Mushin, yet I still arrived at the office very early every day.

Bank staff members were expected to resume before customers arrived because internal preparations had to be completed before the bank officially opened to the public. I made punctuality a personal principle throughout my career.

Even my subordinates knew that I would never arrive late for work. That discipline became part of my identity and contributed significantly to my professional success.

Would you say becoming a banker changed your life completely?

Absolutely! Becoming a banker was the major turning point in my life. Coming from a humble background, I never imagined that I would rise to such levels within the corporate world.

The profession exposed me to opportunities, training, leadership responsibilities, and international experiences that broadened my outlook on life. It also gave me confidence and stability.

Most importantly, it taught me that hard work, discipline, and integrity can take a person very far, regardless of where they started from.

How did your banking career eventually come to an end?

During that period, there was a major restructuring within the Nigerian banking industry. Several banks either merged with others or ceased operations completely.

Our bank was eventually merged with another institution. At that stage of my life and career, I felt I had accomplished enough professionally, so I decided to step aside and retire from active banking.

After leaving the industry, I ventured briefly into trading and importation, particularly confectioneries and related products.

How did you feel when you had your first child, and what was the experience of raising children like for you?

I was very excited to become a father. It made me feel more responsible, and I became a devoted family man with one wife and five children — now four ladies and one gentleman.

Based on my upbringing, I believed my children should have access to quality education. While growing up, they attended private primary schools before proceeding to secondary school.

Although not strictly private, one of my children attended a Christian college, while the others attended military schools — Air Force Secondary School and Nigerian Navy Secondary School. These military schools were better equipped and upheld discipline and fairness, which were some of the reasons I chose them.

According to your biography, you are also a pastor. At what point did you transition into pastoral ministry?

I was not initially a pastor; I was still a banker. I left the Baptist Church to become a Pentecostal believer. My brother-in-law was starting a new church and wanted family support. Initially, I was reluctant to leave the Baptist Church. However, through my wife’s influence and continuous exposure, I began attending their programmes.

Over time, I developed an interest and eventually embraced the Pentecostal faith. I attended seminars and later enrolled in a Bible college. After completing my training, I became a pastor. I presently worship at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, where I was ordained as a pastor.

How was the experience of being a pastor while still working as a banker?

At that time, I was still working as a banker. I managed to balance both responsibilities, although my work sometimes limited my ability to attend certain church programmes. However, I ensured I attended church every Sunday and remained actively involved in church activities.

You’ve been married for many years. What are the things that worked for you?

I always encourage people not to pursue relationships or marriage purely based on money. Rather, they should seek partners with purpose, vision, and ambition. When two people share similar values and goals, they can grow together and achieve success in life.

One common mistake today is the desire for quick success. Many people take shortcuts in life, which eventually lead to disappointment. Money should not be the foundation of marriage — this applies to both men and women.

What differences do you see between marriage in your time and marriage today?

Marriage during our time was approached with greater seriousness and family involvement. Families conducted proper background checks before approving marriages. Parents wanted to know the character, values, and family background of the person their child intended to marry.

Consent from parents was very important. If investigations revealed questionable behaviour or poor family values, the marriage could be discouraged.

People valued patience, endurance, commitment, and family reputation more strongly then. Today, many of those values have weakened considerably. Nowadays, some marriages are celebrated lavishly, but shortly afterwards, the couples separate.

At this stage in your life, you appear very healthy and active. What is the secret behind your good health, fluency, and vitality at your age?

I attribute everything to the grace of God. It is not by my own strength. God blessed me with a strong constitution and good health. There was a time I faced serious health challenges, but God saw me through. Today, I am strong enough to still drive myself and carry out my activities. It is purely the grace of God.

What are you most grateful to God for at this stage of your life?

I am most grateful for my family. It brings me great joy to see my children grow, become successful, and build their own families. I also value the moments when we all come together during celebrations like Easter and Christmas. These gatherings give me a deep sense of fulfilment. I have a good and united family, and that makes me very happy.