Nigerian Tech Entrepreneur Hanu Fejiro Shares Weeklong Experience with Richard Branson on Necker Island

Hanu Fejiro Agbodje, the Nigerian entrepreneur best known for launching the country’s first cryptocurrency exchange at 21, has detailed a recent visit to Sir Richard Branson’s private Necker Island in a personal essay published on Medium.

In the reflective piece, Agbodje recounts how Branson’s autobiography Losing My Virginity influenced his early interest in entrepreneurship. He recalls being so inspired by the story of Branson’s mother selling her necklace to fund his first business that he asked his own mother to do the same. “She did,” he wrote.

The weeklong stay featured everything from chess matches and hikes to in-depth conversations about business, failure, and resilience. “We spoke not just about fame or success, but about failure, grit, and staying true to the mission. Stories that aren’t in the books,” Agbodje shared.

The two also exchanged experiences of building ventures in tough environments. “We traded war stories about building things in hard places,” Agbodje wrote. “He listened to mine: from selling candy at 8 years old to launching Nigeria’s first crypto exchange at 21.”

Branson encouraged Agbodje to document his journey. “He smiled and said, ‘You’ve got to write a book.’ And I promised I would.”

Their discussions also touched on Branson’s past business ventures in Nigeria, including Virgin Atlantic’s operations and eventual exit due to local regulatory hurdles. According to Agbodje, Branson “still holds a deep affection for Nigeria.”

The pair also explored emerging technologies such as blockchain and the future of finance in developing markets — topics Agbodje continues to champion in Africa’s growing digital ecosystem.

The visit ended with Agbodje spending time with Branson’s family and reflecting on the encounter as a pivotal moment in his journey. “When Sir Richard Branson asks you to write a book… you don’t say no,” he wrote.

Agbodje’s story — from selling candy on the streets of Lagos to exchanging ideas with one of the world’s most iconic entrepreneurs — underscores the possibilities emerging from Africa’s tech ecosystem and the resilience of its young innovators.