Seyi, son of the late former chairman of African Newspapers Limited, Oluwole Awolowo, speaks to MOBOLA SADIQ about his career, family and other issues

Tell me about your childhood and educational background.

My childhood was a good one. I grew up in a large family. We were 10 children and 20 grandchildren. Because I am the last child and grandchild, I learnt a lot from my 19 siblings. I had a strict background because we were guided by firm principles. My family was also conservative.

For my secondary education, I attended Federal Government College, Odogbolu, (Ogun State), and I proceeded to the Olabisi Onabanjo University, also in Ogun State. However, I left OOU in my final year and moved to the Houdegbe North American University, Cotonou, Benin Republic, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Asides from being Awolowo’s grandson, what other things set you apart?

I don’t think people know that I’m trying to be more prosperous than my grandfather. I’m an actor, content creator and voice-over artist. A lot of people don’t know that I don’t get pocket money from being an Awolowo. I’m a young man on the street also looking for money. I sell lands and cars when I need to. I’m a principled person and I can’t pretend to be someone I’m not to please anybody. I’m also a rebel towards tyrants and oppressors. As a kid, I was taught that everyone matters. I’m also a soft person who has cried because a lady broke his heart. I’ve just tried to live my life as best as I can.

In one of your Instagram posts, you said you’ve felt the pain of being down. What happened?

I have been down a few times but thankfully, I have been able to overcome. Some years back, I was building something but I lost it all because of the mistake of a jealous party. As a child, I was trying to ‘feel among’ and stole a very expensive gold wristwatch from my father. But, he caught me and disciplined me so much that I almost committed suicide out of stupidity and shame. Those incidents taught me how to value life. I have gone down at different times but thankfully, I’ve always been able to rise back.

It is believed that children from well-to-do homes don’t have to look for jobs. Was that the case with you?

No. I have looked for jobs and I didn’t get them. Being an Awolowo doesn’t give me an edge at all. Sometimes, when one knocks on some doors, some people wouldn’t like the sound of one’s name and they would tell one to look elsewhere. I have been turned down a couple of times because I probably didn’t merit the position. Some people may also not like my family or me. At those times, I say it’s not my fault that I was born into the Awolowo family, so I move on. I was brought up to believe in earning my way to the top. Things that one doesn’t earn doesn’t last.

Multiple reports have claimed that you’re a doctor. Is that true?

I have also heard those claims but they are not true. The medical profession is a noble one that one can’t lie about. However, I’m not a doctor, although I would have loved to be one. I have tried to correct the misconception a couple of times.