iROKOtv Founders Slept On A Mattress Inside Boys’ Quarters Despite Having N1Billion In Bank
The Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of iROKOtv, Jason Chukwuma Njoku, has revealed how himself and wife-cum-business partner, Mary Njoku, spent the early years of their lives as entrepreneurs at the boys’ quarters of their office building despite having $3million (about N1,164,000,000) in their bank account.
Njoku, who narrated his success story in a tweet on Tuesday, said they spent the $3million within 5 months buying content for their on-demand movie streaming platform.
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He said, “Still today, it makes no sense, but we did it. We slept on a mattress in the office with $3m in the bank (which we spent in 5 months buying content).”
iROKOtv, which is Njoku’s 11 attempt at owning a company, has grown to be a multi-billion company and one of the country’s most popular web platform that provides paid-for Nigerian films online.
The company, which has raised over $25 million of investment, is one of Africa’s first movie streaming websites, giving instant access to over 5,000 Nollywood films.
Njoku believed that squatting in the office was a way to minimize cost while growing the company.
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On his wife who is also a co-founder, Njoku said, she never had her own apartment right from time and had lived with her parents even when she became a popular actress.
He said, “As ‘Nollywood star’ that some knew she shared a room and bed with her late sister in her parents’ home. She has only ever lived with 2 people, her parents and me. That’s it. “
According to him, it made staying with him in a BQ normal and was, ” never a debate.”
On how they moved out of the BQ, Njoku said, “She just woke up one day and decided to get an apartment and we did. Left to me, I was fine right there.”
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He added, “Money changes people. Anyone who has known me before and after the money knows I have not changed one bit. I optimise for happiness. So I have my own compass and follow that path. So far so good.”
