Passion, Purpose and Perseverance: The Inspiring Story of Pharmacist, Odunola Oyegade

Early Life and Background

Odunola Oyegade was born in the small town of Osi, Kwara State. The first of two children, her early years were characterised by constant movement due to her mother’s work as a home economist. From Osi to Ofa, Kabba to Ilorin, she navigated living in different places and was no stranger to change.

As a child, she displayed a desire to learn and experience new things. Very studious, she would devour books belonging to her mother and uncle in addition to her schoolwork; and when she was 10, she would go to Lagos to help out her grandfather at his glass furniture shop in Idumagbo. There, she learnt basic business lessons and took on responsibility. From initially assisting in mundane tasks like buying food for the adults around to having the key to the store and dealing successfully with “area boys”, this experience revealed her business acumen and proved to be foundational for her.

Odunola’s early life was also shaped by the schools she attended. Even though her family always moved towns, her mother made sure that she only attended private schools. After completing her primary schooling in Kabba, she attended Titcombe College, Egbe in Kwara State, a school that had a profound impact on her.

A missionary school, it not only provided a solid academic foundation but also instilled discipline and a Christian ethos she still abides by to this day. The influence of the missionaries and her English teacher left an indelible mark on her character, fostering her studious nature and devotion to discipline. She also took part in extracurricular activities, becoming a chorister, and in Form 5 (the equivalent of SS3 today), she became a library prefect, showcasing her commitment to excellence.

It was during this time that Odunola’s uncle, Abiodun, became a significant influence. Living with her family at the time, he became a mentor and confidant, guiding her in educational and personal matters. Following in his footsteps, she initially aspired to study medicine but changed course to pharmacy after he vividly described working with cadavers, and the thought of that turned her against the idea.

Despite her initial plan changing, Odunola’s commitment to academic excellence did not waver, and she got admission to study pharmacy at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

A Quest for Knowledge and Experience

In university, the competitive nature she had honed in secondary school became even stronger. She decided that she was going to succeed and be at the top of her field and worked hard towards it.

Beyond academic excellence, she also found personal fulfilment in Adekunle Michael Oyegade, a fellow pharmacy student. She had met him previously while studying for her A-Levels but they only became friends in their first year when they found out that they were in the same class. They would eventually get married in 1994, and have two children together.

In 1990, after graduating from ABU, Odunola went for her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving in a hospital in Bauchi State. However, she found the hospital environment wasn’t to her liking. Determined to be productive, she quickly engaged in locum work at two pharmacy stores in addition to her hospital duties. Recognising her skills and dedication, the hospital eventually acknowledged that her talents were better utilised in the pharmacy setting, leading to her early release from hospital duties.

Post-NYSC, Odunola decided to move from Ilorin to Lagos, driven by a desire for a more vibrant and dynamic environment. Lagos, with its bustling and active city life, was perfect for her ambitions and provided the backdrop for the next chapter of her journey. In Lagos, she worked at a pharmacy shop briefly but soon shifted her focus to the business world.

Recognising her analytical skills and business acumen, Odunola envisioned running a successful business with financial backing. Armed with a solid plan, she approached a finance house in Lagos, introducing herself to the Managing Director with a proposal outlining how the finance house could multiply its funds by venturing into pharmaceutical wholesale. The proposal, backed by sound numbers, impressed the MD and led to her appointment as the head of the pharmaceutical section.

Therefore, at a remarkably young age, Odunola found herself at the helm of a significant business initiative. Requesting a car and a driver despite not knowing how to drive at the time, she quickly adapted to the fast-paced life of Lagos, learning to drive on weekends with her driver.

Her tenure as the head of the pharmaceutical section came to an end in 1993 due to the collapse of the financiers during a tumultuous period for the economy and financial institutions. Despite this setback, Odunola Oyegade had already demonstrated her talent for business and numbers, a trait that would lead her to even greater things.

Mopheth: The Start of an Entrepreneurial Journey

After leaving the Finance House, Odunola and her fiance, Kunle Oyegade thought long and hard about what to do next. They were about to get married, so the next steps were important for the future of their family.

Eager to embrace what she loved, she reflected on her passion for selling, a trait nurtured during her youth while assisting in her grandfather’s store, and decided she would like to have her own pharmacy. It made sense, as her husband-to-be also came from a similar background, growing up around a pharmacy owned by his parents and helping out as a child.

Odunola strategically decided to gain hands-on experience by managing a pharmacy before starting her venture. She joined a couple, a doctor and an accountant, who were looking to open a store. Though she had never managed a pharmacy before, her experience as the head of a wholesale department played a pivotal role in securing the position. The job demanded her presence from 7 AM to 7 PM, six days a week, a challenge she embraced wholeheartedly, even as a newlywed.

For four years, she worked tirelessly, managing the pharmacy and learning the intricacies of the business. Despite the demanding schedule, she immersed herself in the role, personally buying products and managing the financial aspects. In 1997, after gaining valuable experience, Odunola and her husband decided to venture out on their own and start their pharmacy.

With a love for the finer things in life, she envisioned establishing her pharmacy in the posh area of Victoria Island in Lagos. However, the reality was that the cost of rent in that area was beyond their means. This did not deter them, and with typical determination, they approached the contractor in charge of a building on Adeola Odeku, who agreed to their proposal to build a small store by the side of the canal.

And so, after a lot of hard work and self-application, Mopheth, a Hebrew word meaning “miracle”, was born. This name encapsulated the miraculous journey of the couple, who, despite financial constraints, were able to get a store in a choice location. Starting with a humble capital of 50,000 Naira and a makeshift shelf, they began Mopheth pharmacy in 1997, with Odunola still juggling her job.

The early days were marked by challenges, but their perseverance paid off. A turning point came when they got help from a businessman who supplied them with medicines at a more affordable cost, kickstarting their growth.

After one year, they were able to open a smaller branch somewhere else on Adeola Odeku Street. As the business flourished, Odunola eventually left her job to focus entirely on Mopheth, demonstrating the determination and faith that had been integral to her entrepreneurial journey.

A serial entrepreneur at heart, Odunola Oyegade and her husband, Adekunle, continued to drive into uncharted territories as Mopheth became established. One notable venture was a 4-year collaboration with the global retail brand Adidas; this partnership involved extensive training and travel in order to understand the retail dynamics of a global brand. Learning from a structured retail giant like Adidas proved invaluable, teaching them the nuances of merchandising and the importance of numbers in retail.

Looking into the Future
Ever the visionary entrepreneur, Odunola is set to elevate Mopheth pharmacy beyond its traditional pharmacy roots. With an eye on expansion, her strategic plan involves rebranding Mopheth to encompass more than just a pharmacy.

This ambitious vision includes the establishment of a department store, with the goal of establishing 10 locations in the next five years, and the development of an e-commerce site complete with a dedicated mobile app, offering convenience and value to customers.

The company is also focused on early diagnosis and helping people manage their health better through a tech-driven healthcare solution. Despite these grand plans, she remains committed to excellence and refuses to drop the ball in any area. Her vision remains to meet customers at their point of need, and the Mopheth group is dedicated to providing a seamless and convenient shopping experience for its customers’ well-being, from healthcare to groceries and personal care, among others. By integrating traditional and modern retail formats, she seeks to position Mopheth as a versatile and dynamic brand, catering to diverse consumer needs while embracing the digital landscape of the future.

Odunola Oyegade’s remarkable journey shows the heights a person can soar to when armed with determination and resilience. From an intelligent and active child to becoming a prominent figure in the business world, she has navigated challenges with grace and tenacity.

As a leader, mentor, and employer of labour, she has not only built successful ventures but has become a community leader, contributing significantly to her community’s growth.