Former Nigerian Senator Dino Melaye has revealed how a single goat he bought at the age of 12 helped him pay his school fees from secondary school through his early years at university.
Melaye made the disclosure during an appearance on the KAA Truths podcast on Thursday, August 14, 2026, where he spoke about his journey to financial independence and his investment decisions.
According to him, he bought the goat as a 12-year-old and made money from selling its offspring.
“At the age of 12, I bought a goat. And this goat would give birth, and I would sell the offspring of the goat to pay my school fees in secondary school.
“From the offspring of that goat, I paid for my WAEC, paid for my JAMB, I paid for my first year and second year in Ahmadu Bello University.”
The former senator said his interest in investments continued as he grew older, revealing that he started investing internationally at the age of 18.
He also spoke about purchasing Eurobonds about 27 years ago when the euro was trading at about N60.
Melaye said he left the investment untouched and continued to reinvest the dividends.
He further claimed to have invested in major global companies, including Apple, Microsoft, Uber and Zoom.
Speaking about his Zoom investment, he said the company’s value surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “When I bought my Apple shares, I bought Microsoft too. When I bought shares in Uber, my friends were laughing at me: ‘Uber, what’s wrong with you?’ Today, I know what it is.
“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,
Melaye also disclosed that he had been running franchise businesses in the United States for more than 20 years, saying he expanded from one outlet to several.
He added that his investment portfolio now spans countries including Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Sweden.
“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
Melaye also spoke about his property investments in Dubai, saying he started by buying studio apartments and renting them out through Airbnb.
“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, in Downtown Dubai, on the most expensive street of Dubai, the first duplex in a tower,” he said.
According to him, he has since moved from owning apartments to property development.
“From there I started buying properties. Today I don’t just have a portfolio of apartments in Dubai, I’m a developer. I’m building,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to develop the habit of investing regardless of the amount available to them.
He said building wealth requires discipline, hard work, persistence and making sound decisions.
“Just be sincere with yourself. Believe in the supremacy of God over the universe. Be hardworking, be tenacious, make the right decisions, and have a second address,” he said.
He also explained the difference between being rich and being wealthy, noting that wealth involves having money generate income for the individual.
“The difference between richness and wealth is that when you’re rich, you’re working for money, you go to work from 9 to 5, you have to attend meetings, you’re rich, but you’re working for money. But when you’re wealthy, money works for you,” Melaye said.
He encouraged young Nigerians to start investing with whatever they could afford.
“You don’t need trillions, millions, or hundreds of thousands to start investing — however small, start it,” he said.
Melaye attributed his financial journey to having a clear vision and remaining committed to it.
He also reflected on his humble background, saying he considered his achievements a result of 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.
The former lawmaker also rejected suggestions that his financial standing was mainly the result of his time in political office.
According to him, he has remained financially comfortable despite leaving public office in 2019.
“I’ve been out of public office since 2019. Seven years ago, my standards have not dropped.”
