About Mike

I grew up in Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria, with a hunger I did not yet have language for.

I wanted to know. To understand. To discover what existed beyond the limits of my immediate environment.

That hunger eventually became one of the defining forces of my life.

In December 2004, a strong inner direction led me to Ota, Ogun State, and ultimately to Canaanland. I did not yet understand everything that journey would mean. I only knew I had to move.

In 2005, I joined the Winners Satellite Fellowship (WSF), the house fellowship of Living Faith Church. It was there that I met Pastor Oluseyi Solomon, an early leader who saw potential in me before I fully recognised it in myself. His encouragement would become an important part of my development, including his advice to attend the Word of Faith Bible Institute (WOFBI).

I took his advice.

The Discovery That Changed How I Saw Books

In February 2006, during a WOFBI course called Dynamics of Potential, I experienced an “aha” moment that would change the direction of my life.

The teaching turned to Daniel and his exceptional spirit. Then came Daniel 9:2:

“I Daniel understood by books.”

Something clicked.

I began to see books differently.

Books were no longer simply things to read. They became instruments of development—vehicles through which knowledge, wisdom and understanding could be transferred across generations.

I began to see a connection between learning and becoming.

Daniel’s story made me understand that extraordinary capacity is not simply something we are born with. It can be developed through what we seek, what we learn, what we understand and what we do with that understanding.

That discovery became a turning point.

In 2007, I wrote in my diary:

“I will read books as if my life depends on books.”

It was more than a reading goal. It became a way of life.

Reading led to teaching. Teaching led to speaking. Speaking led to leadership.

I began teaching and speaking in settings including the WSF Operators Meeting in Ota and the Center for Creative Youth International. Over the years, I have served in Christian ministries and groups, mentored young people and students, facilitated seminars, and continued developing myself as a teacher, speaker and leadership coach.

What I Believe

My work is built around a simple conviction:

Formation precedes transformation, and transformation precedes sustainable leadership.

I believe becoming better is not merely about acquiring more information or achieving external success. It is about developing the person who can carry greater responsibility, solve better problems, lead more effectively and make a deeper contribution.

That is why I describe myself as a teacher—not simply in the classroom sense, but as someone who helps people understand ideas and apply knowledge.

And it is why my coaching is fundamentally about personal growth and leadership development.

I help individuals become better versions of themselves and develop the capacity to lead others effectively.

Learn. Lead. Rise.

Over the years, I have come to see human development as a journey of intentional growth.

We Learn by developing hunger, curiosity and the discipline to keep growing.

We Lead by first learning to lead ourselves—our thinking, choices, habits, character and responsibilities.

We Rise by becoming more capable, more useful and more equipped to handle the opportunities and responsibilities that growth brings.

This became the foundation for Learn, Lead, Rise: The Manifesto for Personal and Leadership Mastery.

For me, Learn, Lead, Rise is more than the title of a book. It is a framework for becoming. It captures a progression I have experienced personally and now teach to others: learn intentionally, lead yourself first, and continually grow into the person you are capable of becoming.

In 2012, another defining moment gave language to the direction my life had been taking. I recognised my calling into Leadership and Communication. Looking back, I could see how the pieces had been coming together—the hunger for knowledge, the love of books, teaching, speaking, leadership and the desire to help others develop.

Reading Trillion Dollar Coach later expanded that vision for me. Bill Campbell’s example introduced me to the possibility of coaching extraordinary people—not simply to achieve better results, but to become better people and leaders.

That idea resonated deeply with me.

I want to build people.

What I Am Building

Today, alongside my work as a Teacher, Speaker and Leadership Coach, I serve as a member of the Board of Trustees and Director of Administration at the Bible and Literature Ministry (BALM).

Working alongside Pastor Oluseyi Solomon—one of the people who recognised and encouraged my potential early in my journey—has brought a remarkable sense of continuity to my story.

The journey that began with a boy hungry for understanding continues.

I am still learning.
Still becoming.
Still building.

And I don’t see myself as someone who has arrived with all the answers. I see myself as someone who has discovered ideas, frameworks and lessons worth sharing—and who is committed to helping others become better, lead more effectively and rise into greater capacity.

If you are committed to learning, growing, thinking deeper and becoming more of who you are capable of becoming, I would love for you to be part of my world.

There is still much to learn. Much to build. And many people to help along the way.

— Mike Owotunse

Teacher. Speaker. Leadership Coach.

Mike is also the founder of ReadyScribe Solutions, a writing and content creation business helping individuals and organisations tell their stories with clarity and impact.