He began his education at a primary school in Benin but later took a break from studies to concentrate on what he felt was his natural choice of occupation, carving.
His first artistic choice of subject focused on birds usually carved in wood from the Iroko tree which were numerous in Benin.
[2] In the late 1950s, he earned a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art, London after his work gained critical acclaim during an exhibition to coincide with Queen Elizabeth's visit to Nigeria.
However, Lagos which was then the seat of government was also an emerging economic and trade center with high standards of living.
However, it was an exhibition opened by the Nigerian governor-general, James Robertson which was held to coincide with the visit of Queen Elizabeth that gave him increased exposure.
[4] His carving of a Yoruba girl was on display at the Nigerian House, London and some of his works hanged as ornaments on the walls of the National Hall, Lagos.