That year, aged 24, he partnered with Jimmy Large, an Englishman, to form the Laibru general trading company, and also bought a share of Ace Jimonma, a construction firm.

He then formed Ibru Sea Foods as the sole owner, importing the frozen fish and at first trading from the back of a truck.

[6] The organization continued to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures in diverse businesses including brewing, construction and petroleum distribution, with varying degrees of success.

The recession of the early 1980s caused by falling oil prices, combined with import restrictions, forced contraction and a restructuring at the end of the 1980s.

By this time, Michael's eldest son Olorogun Oskar Ibru had joined the boards of companies in the organization.

[9] Talking at Michael Ibru's 80th birthday celebration in January 2011, his eldest son Oskar said "The only thing I can say about my family is that we grew up as a team.

Alex Ibru, chairman of Rutam Motors, met with newspapermen Stanley Mecebuh of the Daily Times of Nigeria, Patrick Dele-Cole also formerly of that paper and Olusegun Osoba, formerly of the Nigerian Herald.