Name: Jeremiah Ayobami Obadofin

Title: Founder and Group CEO

Organisation: Terainz Holdings

Jeremiah Ayobami Obadofin is a versatile professional with a background in pharmacy, forex trading, and entrepreneurship. He is the Founder and Group CEO of Terainz Holdings, with interests spanning healthcare, real estate, technology, and trading. Currently an intern pharmacist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Jeremiah is passionate about pharmaceutical innovation, sustainability, and impact-driven initiatives.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Jeremiah's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader at Terainz Holdings, one of the most challenging aspects has been fostering active participation and commitment among team members, especially since many are not currently receiving financial compensation. This has led to a lack of seriousness from some, requiring me to continually motivate and align them with the organization's long-term vision, emphasizing the value of the work we are building together and the potential rewards in the future. Balancing empathy with accountability has been a critical and ongoing learning experience.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

My journey to leadership has been driven by an unquenchable curiosity and a passion for growth and entrepreneurship. As a pharmacy graduate, I’ve always been fascinated by the endless possibilities for innovation and impact across industries. This passion led me to establish **Terainz Holdings**, a conglomerate operating in healthcare, real estate, technology, proprietary trading, and e-commerce.

As the Founder and Group CEO, I’ve had the privilege of leading a team committed to building sustainable solutions for the future. In addition to my entrepreneurial endeavors, I serve as the Chief Intern Pharmacist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. In this role, I lead my peers in fostering professional excellence and prioritizing quality patient care.

For me, leadership is about inspiring a vision, creating solutions, and empowering others to grow alongside me. It’s been a challenging yet fulfilling journey, one that continues to fuel my drive for impact and innovation.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My workdays are structured to balance my multiple roles effectively. I start my day early with prayer, reflection, and some light exercise to center myself. As the Chief Intern Pharmacist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, I dedicate my mornings and early afternoons to patient care, clinical responsibilities, and mentoring peers.

Afternoons and evenings are reserved for my role as the Founder and Group CEO of Terainz Holdings, where I focus on strategic planning, team coordination, and overseeing operations across our diverse sectors. In between, I make time for continuous learning, whether through reading, research, or skill development.

I also ensure I engage with my two American Eskimo puppies, who bring balance to my busy days. Before bed, I review my progress, plan for the next day, and wind down with some quiet time to recharge for another productive day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

As a leader, I’ve learned for the first time that managing people is far from easy—it’s a journey filled with challenges and growth. I’ve realized that not everyone will share the same level of passion or commitment, especially when immediate rewards aren’t visible.

Communication, patience, and adaptability are essential, but even with those, it takes consistent effort to inspire and align people with a shared vision. Leadership has shown me the importance of resilience, empathy, and the ability to navigate diverse personalities and expectations. Honestly, I’ve seen a lot, but every experience strengthens me for the future.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One leadership book that has profoundly impacted me is "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek. Reading it opened my eyes to the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment for my team, where they feel valued and motivated to give their best. It challenged me to see leadership as a responsibility to serve others, not just direct them.

The lessons from the book have been particularly relevant at Terainz Holdings, where I’ve had to inspire commitment despite financial limitations. It reminded me that people are more likely to go above and beyond when they believe in the vision and feel a sense of belonging. While it hasn’t been easy, this perspective has helped me navigate the complexities of managing people and building a team focused on long-term impact.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

If I could give only one piece of advice to someone who wants to become a leader, it would be this: "Leadership is not about authority; it’s about responsibility." You must be willing to serve, inspire, and sometimes carry the weight of the vision when others can’t see it yet. It’s not always easy, and it requires patience, empathy, and resilience. But if you stay committed to your values and genuinely care for the people you lead, you’ll find the strength to navigate the challenges and build something truly meaningful.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? One meaningful story that comes to mind from my time as a leader was when I faced a period of low participation from the team at Terainz Holdings. Many team members struggled to stay motivated since there weren’t immediate financial rewards, and their commitment began to wane.

Rather than giving up or becoming frustrated, I decided to have honest conversations with them. I shared the vision behind Terainz Holdings—what we were building together and how each person’s role contributed to a bigger picture. I also made an effort to recognize their efforts publicly and provide opportunities for growth, even without monetary compensation at the time.

Seeing some of them rekindle their passion and take more initiative reminded me why leadership is about service and perseverance. It reinforced my belief that when you lead with authenticity and inspire belief in the vision, you can turn challenges into meaningful milestones.