Obi Cubana talks humble beginning, secret to his business success

Obi Cubana, the business mogul, has highlighted “discipline” as the secret to his success story.

The Anambra-born entrepreneur spoke about his humble beginning when he was featured in Showmax’s documentary series on the Igbo apprenticeship system titled ‘Freemen‘.

The Igbo apprenticeship system is a traditional phenomenon where established businessmen take in apprentices to teach them a trade wherein the apprentices eventually take over the business.

Despite not undergoing the formal apprenticeship, Cubana attributed his success to the principles instilled in him during holidays spent with his trade-oriented uncles.

Speaking in an interview, the businessman said the system taught him lessons that “helped me in my own business establishments”.

The businessman said he learned to be disciplined, “live within my means and not do pass myself”.

He recalled how he lived in a boys’ quarters with his friends and only moved out when he was sure he could afford it.

Cubana said he moved to a 3-bedroom apartment before he bought land and built his first duplex.

He added that he lived there for another ten years before building the house he currently lives in.

“I went to school, I didn’t do the traditional apprenticeship but I spent my holidays with my uncles who were in trade,” he said.

“I disciplined myself to wake up with the apprentice, go to the market, help in doing what they do and learn pricing.

“Indirectly, every holiday I learnt these things and it has helped in my business establishments because nobody is an island, you need people.

“The most important thing I learnt is discipline. I also learnt that even in the midst of the visible wealth, the Ogas lived within their means.

“When I started my own business, I was living in a boy’s quarters, actually I was sharing with my friends.

“But when I felt I could afford it, I moved to a 3-bedroom flat. I got married and had my first two kids there.

“When I felt I had landed enough, I bought a land and built my first duplex and I lived there for 10 years. And when I felt I had grown enough, I built this particular one that everybody knows where I live right now and it might not be the last.

“So the most important thing is to discipline yourself and not do pass yourself.”

Born Obi Iyiegbu, Cubana became very popular in 2021 after he buried his mother in grand style.