Dr. Stephen Akintayo, a well-known Nigerian serial entrepreneur and motivational speaker, has stirred massive reactions on social media following the launch of a new mentorship initiative with a jaw-dropping price tag.
In a post that has since gone viral, Akintayo announced that he is offering 10 exclusive one-on-one mentorship slots at a discounted fee of $18,000, down from the standard $20,000.
In an attempt to make the program more accessible, he offered a special payment window of ₦2.5 million upfront, allowing interested mentees to spread the remaining balance over 12 months.
“If you ever wanted to be mentored by me, here’s the best news you’ll see today,” Akintayo wrote. “Be ruthless about your goals.”
According to him, the mentorship package includes: Monthly one-on-one access with him, Entry into the Billionaire Elite Coaching Community, Free access to all 45 of his published books, Insider secrets to building a multibillion-naira business from scratch, Strategies to scale business revenue tenfold, Discounts on Gtext properties and global events and Exclusive partnership opportunities with Gtext Holdings
“All of these and so much more,” Akintayo noted, “will be unraveled during the course of the mentorship.”
While some expressed admiration for his bold business model, the vast majority of Nigerians took to social media to express shock, anger, and skepticism over the cost.
Public Reactions:
Saheed Adeola wrote: “$18k for mentorship? Na you mentor Dangote and Otedola ni??? MMM/CBEX pro max.”
Okey Mbah shared: “Anyone who has $18k in this economy definitely doesn’t need mentorship from you. That money can buy several plots of land or yield strong returns in Treasury Bonds.”
Francis Njemanze recalled a past experience: “Last time he offered me a ‘sponsorship ticket’ to a conference at ₦300k and still called it sponsorship! Now this? Almost ₦30 million? Startups can’t afford this. Even Dr. Cosmos Maduka never charged for mentorship!”
Esan Kenny criticized the perceived disconnect from economic realities: “In today’s Nigeria, the average youth is gasping for survival. $18,000? That’s outrageous. I doubt he himself would’ve paid such during his struggling days.”
Stanley Eseigbe added: “Those who have $20,000 to spare don’t need mentorship. MEN EVERYWHERE!”
Ope Egun bluntly said: “So person get that kind money and still dey find mentor? Yahoo men in suits.”
Vikky Otie laughed: “If you have $18k already, you don’t need a mentor—you’re made!”
Adesina Shittu cautioned: “Na so dem go use grammar scam your money. Don’t let CBEX in suit deceive you.”
Amid the backlash, Dr. Akintayo issued a follow-up post reaffirming his stance:
“While debates continue online, intentional people are quietly making payments and securing their spots. I’ve paid my dues, invested time, money, and sacrifices. This isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay.”
He continued: “My ideal clients aren’t arguing in the comments—they’re in my DMs confirming payment and preparing for their next level.”
Dr. Stephen Akintayo is the CEO of Gtext Group and Stephen Akintayo Consulting International, a conglomerate providing services in real estate, digital marketing, e-commerce, consulting, and more. He holds a degree in Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University and has studied Digital Marketing at Harvard University and the Digital Marketing Institute.
Despite his credentials and track record, many Nigerians remain unconvinced about the mentorship pricing, raising concerns about elitism, affordability, and accessibility for the average youth.
