Grass to Grace series (35): Linda Ikeji’s rise from battling debt to $40m net worth

In Nigeria, when you think of cement, Dangote comes to mind; Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka; and when you think of blogging, the extraordinary Linda Ikeji.

Early Life

Born in September 19, 1980, the 44-year-old entrepreneur has made for herself a great name in blogging, entrepreneurship, and writing.

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Linda Ikeji was born into a humble family of seven in Nkwerre L.G.A., Imo state. Her parents could afford daily meals, but lacked the capacity to afford a luxurious lifestyle as footing some bills was a big challenge , yet that didn’t deter Linda from rising above her middle-class family to the elite cadre. As a second child, Linda developed a flair for writing as early as age 10. She would scribble merry notes that her friends and peers would marvel at but not good enough for publication. Yet, Linda knew that was a sign. Something that’s telling her she got it, like the famous Peak Maxim, “It’s in you.” She knew it was inside, a skill waiting to be harnessed.

Education

When Linda finished her secondary education, she knew that mass communication was a degree she would pursue in the tertiary institution. However, Jamb and university interferences aborted that dream.

Just like the experience of most Nigerian university aspirants, Linda was given a course that’s not her choice. She was offered English by the University of Lagos.

Undeterred by this major redirection, Linda embarked on her tertiary journey of English study.

However, financing her study became an issue. This pushed Linda to seek various legal ways for financial independence.

Linda’s Financial Independence Journey 

Linda started as a waitress to help pay off her bills as a student; when that wasn’t sufficient, she went into ushering. Her remarkable poise and beauty marked her out as she got some ushering roles, which helped her to foot some of her bills.

Like they say, our destiny ignites a push in us, which makes us uncomfortable in what others may see as comfort zones. Linda was unsatisfied with the peanut pay she was receiving. In 1998, she ventured into modelling, pushing towards her goal. But the pay too was very poor, filled with many Hamlet’s seeking their own pound of flesh.

Unable to cope with the unfavourable environment, she decided to start her own to help young girls in her shoe. Black Dove Communications was birthed in 2004. As a celibacy before marriage advocate, Linda Ikeji hoped to use the platform to help other models who wouldn’t succumb to the “sleep with men and rise” that ravaged the modelling industry.  She operated this agency from her mini two-room office in Yaba.

Seems like there is something about Yaba because most Grass to Grass celebrities likely started from there.

But unfortunately for Linda, her modelling agency didn’t push so favourably like she desired. Sometimes, life pushes one through many hurdles before eureka!

For Linda, life still had enough hurdles in store for her.

In 2006, she decided to try magazine publishing; determined to put her childhood dream into action. They say dreams never die; it burns within. Linda started writing and mustered the strength to publish her own magazine FM&B (Fashion, Modelling, and Beauty), in 2006.

Her first magazine had her picture as the cover. She needed a selling point, so, she put in huge money for the launch, hoping to recover, but like the Yoruba slang “nibo?” (for where?). Life dealt her another blow.

As a way of sharing her life takes, Linda started her Blog (LIB). The magazine sale was met a very low market. Linda couldn’t recoup her funds.

Perhaps the first time isn’t always the huge break, Linda thought, and picked herself again for the second magazine launch. That turned worse. She went on to the third publication, low output, on the fourth magazine launch, Linda experienced a huge financial debt.

She had taken a loan from a community bank to print her magazine copies, hoping to recover and pay back. Unfortunately, she couldn’t meet up with the full payment.

On Monday, 2009, the Special Fraud Unit whisked her away over an unbalanced payment of N190,000 owed to the loan bank. She was later released when a friend signed an undertaking for her to pay back in a month’s time.

Linda was depressed, heartbroken, and tired, but she didn’t give up. She continued blogging. She went on to publish her fifth magazine. That too didn’t sell her but Linda was able to pay her loan.

In 2010, Linda turned 30, that same year, she lost her office because she couldn’t afford the rent. Linda left the place and channelled all her energy into blogging. According to her, she was determined to fight poverty in my life.  She said she vowed that money will not lack in her hands. She put in more hard work, sleepless nights, and more blogging. She would pay for time to use the cybercafe; she continued relentlessly till her effort yielded results.

Linda’s blogging breakthrough

In late 2011, Linda’s blog site started getting the needed attention. From her controversial posts to the private stories and gossips she shared, people started visiting her blog. She got more engagement that brands wanted to identify with her.

In 2012, she got good money from her blog. Today she’s one of Africa’s biggest bloggers. From what started as nothing, Linda had grown into something. Paving much more way for the recent blogs we have on the continent. Till date, Linda remains a force to be reckoned with.

Major Accomplishment

Linda also ventures into other entrepreneurial sectors. She started Linda Ikeji’s TV, a live broadcast channel, Linda Ikejais Media Office, where she runs a radio program. She also stated Linda Ikeji’s music platform which went dormant after a few months. She also built Linda Ikeji’s social platform and runs a non-profit organisation, “I’d rather be self-made,” which has sponsored many young entrepreneurial girls from ages 18-25.

Linda Ikeji published her first book in 2010 entitled It Takes You and made her debut movie, Dark October, in 2016.

Relationship life

Linda got into a relationship with Sholaye Jeremi, which resulted into pregnancy. This was one of the controversies stories she got herself entangled in. Many people criticised her because she has always preached celibacy before marriage. She came online and affirmed the story. Later, she gave birth to a son Jayden. Though her relationship with Jeremi didn’t later work through. Linda became a single mom.

Awards and Recognition

Best Entertainment Blog 2013: Nigeria Blog Award 2013.

Website/Blog of the Year from Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award, 2013.

Forbes 20 Most Prominent Women in Africa in August 2025.

Top Nigerian Google Trend search 2016

Honorary Doctorate Degree from Trinity International University Georgia for Outstanding Business and Media in 2018

She is also one of the speakers in Forbes and has graced many interviews, including BBC’s Focus on Africa interview.

Linda has indeed become a legend, as many have said, but one thing that stands significant in her life is the resilient spirit.

In the Forbes 2019 Leading Women Summit event in Durban, South Africa, Linda said, “Nothing is impossible. You can become the best of the best. There’s absolutely nothing you can’t achieve if you believe in yourself. Fight for your dreams. Don’t let anybody dim your light. Turn every challenge into opportunities for growth.”

Linda’s net worth today is worth about $40 million. A true story of grass to grace.