How goat investment helped fund my education — Dino Melaye

Former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye recounted how an investment in a goat at the age of 12 provided the funds for his education through secondary school and his first two years at Ahmadu Bello University. Melaye shared this story in an interview with KAA Truths, detailing his journey from humble beginnings to significant investments in businesses and properties globally.

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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.

He explained that the proceeds from the goat's offspring were instrumental in covering 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 stated. He further elaborated that the earnings from the goat's offspring also financed 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."

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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.

Melaye emphasized the importance of starting small and investing consistently, noting that he began international investments at 18. "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 advised. He recalled investing in a Eurobond approximately 27 years ago when the euro was valued at 60 naira, reinvesting dividends over the years. He also invested in technology companies like Apple, Microsoft, Uber, and Zoom, mentioning that some friends initially mocked his choices, particularly regarding Uber and Zoom, before their value surged.

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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.

His property investments also began modestly, starting with a single franchise outlet in the United States over 20 years ago, which he gradually expanded. Melaye's current investment portfolio spans Qatar, Oman, Dubai, the United States, and Sweden. His Dubai property investments also started small, with studio apartments rented out via Airbnb.

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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.