Former Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye, has revealed how an investment in a goat he bought at the age of 12 helped him finance his education from secondary school through his first two years at Ahmadu Bello University.

Melaye made the disclosure in an interview with KAA Truths, where he reflected on his journey from a humble background to building an investment portfolio spanning several countries.

‘The Goat Gave Birth’

According to the former lawmaker, the goat became an unexpected source of income after it reproduced, with proceeds from the offspring helping him pay his school fees.

“At the age of 12, I bought a goat, and that goat gave birth, and I sold the offspring to pay my school fees in secondary school,” Melaye said.

He explained that he continued reinvesting the proceeds from the goat, eventually using the returns to finance his university education.

“From the offspring of that goat, I paid for my first and second year at Ahmadu Bello University, my school fees came through that investment,” he said.

‘You Don’t Need All the Money’

Melaye said the experience shaped his approach to investment and taught him that people could begin building wealth with relatively small resources.

He disclosed that by the age of 18, he had started making international investments, although on a modest scale.

“At age 18, I was already investing internationally, not on a large scale. You don’t need to have all the money on earth to start investing,” he said.

From Eurobonds to Tech Stocks

The former senator also recalled investing in a Eurobond about 27 years ago when the euro was valued at about N60, saying he consistently reinvested the dividends instead of withdrawing them.

“I did a Eurobond 27 years ago, when the euro was 60 naira to one. You can calculate what that investment would be worth today, because I didn’t touch it,” he said.

Melaye also disclosed that he invested in major technology companies, including Apple, Microsoft, Uber and Zoom.

According to him, some of his friends initially questioned his decision to invest in Uber and Zoom, but the investments later proved profitable.

“When I bought shares in Uber, my friends were laughing at me: ‘Uber, what’s wrong with you?’ Today, I know what it is,” he said.

Speaking about his investment in Zoom, Melaye recalled how the company’s stock surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I also bought some shares in Zoom, people were laughing at me, then COVID came, and Zoom went up 400 per cent. So just ask God for direction,” he said.

‘One Gave Birth to Two’

Melaye also said he applied the same gradual approach to his franchise and property investments in the United States and Dubai.

He explained that his franchise business began with a single outlet before expanding.

“When I started investing in franchise businesses in America over 20 years ago, I started with one, one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, three to four,” he said.

He said his property investments in Dubai followed a similar pattern, beginning with studio apartments that he rented out through Airbnb before moving into larger properties.

“When I started in Dubai, I began by buying studios and giving them out for Airbnb. From studios I bought a one-bedroom, from one bedroom I bought two bedrooms, from two bedrooms I bought my own house,” he said.

‘Today, I’m a Developer’

According to Melaye, his investments have since expanded beyond owning residential apartments to property development.

“Today I don’t just have a portfolio of apartments in Dubai, I’m a developer. I’m building,” he said.

He disclosed that his investment portfolio currently spans Qatar, Oman, Dubai, the United States and Sweden.

Melaye Advises Young Nigerians

The former senator urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to cultivate the habit of investing regardless of the amount available to them.

He said wealth creation required discipline, hard work, persistence and the ability to make sound financial decisions.

“You don’t need trillions, millions, or hundreds of thousands to start investing, however small, start it,” Melaye said.

He also drew a distinction between being rich and being wealthy, arguing that true wealth involves creating sources of income that continue to generate money without the individual having to work directly for every naira earned.

“The difference between richness and wealth is that when you’re rich, you’re working for money… But when you’re wealthy, money works for you,” he said.

‘God’s Divine Favour’

Reflecting on his background and achievements, Melaye said he did not take his progress for granted, attributing his journey partly to divine favour.

“I came from a very lowly background, but God, in his infinite mercy, out of his grace, out of divine favour, I am where I am today. And I should not be ashamed of it,” he said.

He encouraged Nigerians to develop a long-term vision, start with what they have and remain committed to building sustainable wealth.