Reflections from a train ride with a 24‑year‑old on choices, career shifts, fulfillment, and the enduring wisdom of my late mother, Mother Celestial Florence Olomu.
On a recent train ride from Abeokuta to Lagos, I sat beside a 24‑year‑old student in his fourth year of a five‑year program. As we talked, he asked me four very thoughtful questions about life, career, and money. His curiosity reminded me of the importance of reflection, and I want to share my answers with you.
1. At 24, what move did you make that’s still paying off for you today?
My response: At 24, I made the decision to invest in myself in learning, in building relationships, and in staying disciplined. That choice to focus on personal growth rather than chasing quick gains has continued to pay dividends. The seeds I planted then are the fruits I am enjoying today.
2. Did you ever switch careers, or did you stick with the one you started?
My response: At the peak of my career in the entertainment industry in Nigeria, I suffered what I call executive emptiness, outward success but an inner void. When I relocated to the UK, I made the bold decision to go back to school and switch careers. Looking back, that was the best decision I ever made. It gave me a fresh sense of purpose, opened new doors, and today I am not only successful but genuinely happy and fulfilled.
3. Do you feel like you’re where you wanted to be in life, or do you think you still have more ground to cover?
My response: I am grateful for how far I have come, but I don’t believe in “arrival.” Growth is continuous. Every milestone opens the door to another level. So yes, I am proud of my journey, but I remain hungry for more impact, more service, and more legacy.
4. You know how people say “all legal money was once illegal money” — was there ever a time you did something shady to make money?
My response:!I don’t subscribe to that saying. Integrity has always been non‑negotiable for me. My late mother, Mother Celestial Florence Olomu, always reminded me that a good name is better than all the riches in the world and that I should never forget the son of who I am. Those words shaped my choices. I chose the harder but cleaner path, because true wealth is not just about money, it’s about peace of mind, reputation, and the ability to sleep well at night. Any money that comes from shady dealings will eventually cost you more than it pays. The joy I enjoy today is knowing that everything I have was earned with dignity.
That train ride reminded me that the questions of the younger generation are often the mirror through which we see our own journey more clearly. The decisions we make in our youth echo across our lifetime. For me, the choice to invest in myself, to embrace change when emptiness struck, and to hold firmly to integrity has defined not just my success, but my significance.
Dr Dayo Olomu
Organisational Development Consultant | Executive Coach | Strategic Advisor | Leadership Expert | Global Speaker | Founder, Dayo Olomu Foundation, UK |Best-Selling Author of My 60 Life Lessons for Success & Significance | Recipient of 182 Awards in 30 Categories.
DECISIONS THAT SHAPE A LIFETIME
BY DR. DAYO OLOMU
