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Wulemotu Iyalode Ggongan: 10 Years of Glorious Passage

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2021

Eric

By Hon. Femi Kehinde

William Shakespeare, the great English poet, writer and author, had said gleefully in his epic play, Macbeth, “tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day, to the last syllable of recorded time; and all our yesterday’s have lighted fools
The way to dusty death,. Out, out, brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by of an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Elizabeth Wulemotu Boladale Aduke Kehinde, lived a life of full accomplishments, and was described upon her demise, in a funeral tribute, by her great uncle – Justice Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin as- “a woman of business sagacity.” What a sweet and befitting epithet!

Wulemotu was born in April 1937 and had her Primary School Education at the Anglican Primary School, Elekiri Gbongan, and later completed her Primary school education, at the St. Paul’s Primary School, Gbongan. She was later admitted into the St. Patrick’s Modern Secondary School, Gbongan, where she completed her Secondary Modern school education in 1957.

She immediately went into the world of commerce and early marriage.

Wulemotu got married to Samuel Adebisi Akanji Kehinde- a young police officer from Ile-Ogbo, in Iwo District and then working at the Gbongan Police Station. Samuel had joined the police in 1953. He retired in 1988, after 35 years of meritorious service as a senior police officer, and died on the 27th of October, 2013 at the age 81 years.Wule, had her first child in 1959.

She moved to Ibadan, with her husband in 1960, upon his transfer from the Gbongan Police Station, to the Police station and Divisional Headquarters at Yemetu, Ibadan.

In Yemetu Barracks, she started the business of sewing bedsheets and pillow cases for Police officers, and traversed various police units on her bicycle for marketing. She briefly worked at the University Teaching Hospital Ibadan, from 1960 to 1961, as a Ward maid. In obedience to her husband- Samuel, she left the services of UCH and continued full blown, her trading business in 1961.

Writing Wule’s story is like writing my own story, because she had mentored me and her two other children for an uninterrupted period of slightly above 50 years until her passage on Saturday, the 19th of February, 2011. We saw it through and we witnessed her growth in matrimony, commerce, traditional and community leadership, humaneness and philanthropy.

She lived her life for the Gbongan community, whom she loved, so much and admirably as its Iyalode. Gbongan was founded by a man named Olufiade (short form Olufi). Olufiade was a direct descendant of Alaafin Abiodun Adegoriolu who reigned in Oyo, between 1750 and 1789.Olufi contested for the throne of the Alaafin of Oyo, after the demise of his father, but lost to another Prince. He had to leave Oyo as tradition demanded, and was followed by many Oyo Citizens that were sympathetic to his struggle for the throne of Alaafin.
Olufi and his entourage left Oyo via Igbori route, stayed there for some time and then moved to Soungbe, from where they finally got to Gbongan Ile. The Olufi carried along from Oyo, a beaded crown, which made his followers recognise him, not only as an Oyo Prince, but an Oba in his own right.

The unrest that wrecked the stability of Oyo, also affected many Oyo Towns, and this allowed marauders to penetrate several Oyo Towns, including Gbangan-Ile. Olufi and his followers had to migrate to a more forested location, which was more secure than the former location. The present Gbongan is situated in the forest belt of Osun State. This is why at the present location, we have such settlements like Oke-Egan, Oke-Apata, Ile-Opo, Aiyepe and Owo-Ope. Gbongan Town is watered by a network of streams like Oyunlola, Akinjole, Alaanu, Oleyo, Yemoja and Elu.

Her Eastern boundary with Ile-Ife is the big Sasa River. This present Gbongan was founded around 1825. The fact that Gbongan was headed by an Oba attracted many people to settle there and the thick forested location, provided security for the population from the invaders. By the middle of the 19th century, which started as a small settlement at Gbongan-Ile by 1790, had grown to become one of the largest towns in her area.

THE OBAS THAT HAVE REIGNED IN GBONGAN

History of Gbongan has it that Olufi and Koisetan reigned at Gbongan-Ile. Fagbola was the first Olufi that reigned in the present Gbongan between 1825 and 1835.

The reign was in this order:

Fagbola 1825-1835 (from Fagbola Ruling House)
Olujide 1835-1859 (from Olujide Ruling House)
Sooko 1860-1913 (from Sooko Ruling House)
Ajagbogbo 1913-1924 (from Ajagbogbo Ruling House)
Asabi 1926-1948 (from Asabi/Olugboira Ruling House)
Oyeniyi Makanjuola 1948-1971 (from Fagbola Ruling House)
Jacob Adeoye 1973-1988 (from Olujide Ruling House)
Solomon Oyewole Babayemi (Dr.) 1989-1997, (from Akinrinola Ruling House)
Adetoyese Oyeniyi (Dr.) 1998- (from Odugbemi Ruling House)

Wulemotu was born into the family of Kasumu Oyekanmi and Alimotu of Ile-Opo compound. Alimotu had some of her roots in Modakeke and Oke-Egan. Kasumu’s father- had six children-Oyekanmi, Oyedeji, Oyedun, Asiyanbi, Oyewade and Akinloye. Akinwenu’s wife, Osunleye, hailed from Agbandaku Compound, Ede.

Kasumu did not live too long. He was a victim, along side his brother—Oyedeji, of the dreaded small pox (Sanponna) epidemic of 1947. Kasunmu’s friend and confidant was Baale Asabi (1926-1928). Asabi instilled Wule’s father- Kasumu as Balogun.

Alimotu also died some few years, after the birth of Femi in 1959. Kasumu and Alimotu had two female children – Wulemotu and Balisatu.

As a result of the death of Kasumu in 1947,Wulemotu was in the early care and mentorship of Kasumu’s younger sister-Oyedun, who begat Professor Adebayo Williams and Lady Evangelist Taiwo Williams.

Larinade was also Alimotu’s younger sister, who also took motherly role and care of Wule and Bali, after the death of Alimotu in 1962. Larinade begat Oluboade and Moronkeji, both of blessed memory.

Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Wulemotu Aduke Kehinde–the late Iyalode of Gbongan Land, was a prominent participant in the Akintola/Awolowo Saga, of the first Rebuplic.

She led the women vanguards of UPGA in Gbongan, and was clamped into detention on spurious charges, that bordered on political vendettas. She was bailed out of custody by the UPGA lawyers. Before her passage. She was always willing to tell the story of this UPGA/DEMO saga. When Chief Awolowo in 1979,came to Gbongan on electioneering campaign, as UPN Presidential flag bearer, it was the luck of Wulemotu at the campaign rally, to present her idol- Chief Obafemi Awolowo, with a copy of the Holy Bible on behalf of the UPN members in the Gbongan constituency. To her, it was also a beautiful moment, when she met Chief Awolowo in 1980, in Israel and Mount Sinai, on Holy Pilgrimage.

Samuel Adebisi Kehinde, almost lost his job as a police officer, for having an activist of a woman as a wife, in the first Republic.

Bosede Asake, her second child, was born on the 20th of February, 1966, shortly after the overthrow of the First Republic on the 15th of January 1966. Adeyemi was born on the 3rd of October, 1973.

In 1968, the Nigeria Police was unified and the Local government Police or Regional Police was merged, with the Federal Police as a now unified Nigeria Police force.

Samuel was absorbed into the Federal Police force and was in December 1968 transferred from Ibadan to Igbara Oke. We had to relocate with him to Igbara Oke, where he assumed duty as a Station Police Officer in 1969.

All is children had to change schools.
Femi particularly, left the ICC Primary School, Yemetu Aladorin Ibadan, to continue his Primary School education, at the St. Paul’s Primary School, Igbara Oke. We were in Igbara Oke for about 6 months, before Samuel was transferred to Idanre, and we had to move school again, to St. Paul’s Primary School, Idanre.

We were in Idanre briefly, before the nomadic police officer of a father, was transferred to Akure and we all had to move school again.

Shortly thereafter, Samuel was transferred to the Eastern region, after the end of the Biafra war,where he sojourned for another 10 years.

As a result of these frequent transfers, Femi had to relocate finally to Gbongan with Wulemotu, to continue with his Primary School Education, which he finished at the St. Paul’s Primary school in 1972, from where he proceeded to Origbo Community High School, Ipetumodu in January, 1973 and later the University of Ife, where he read law, graduated in 1983 and qualified as a lawyer in 1984.

Wulemotu Aduke Kehinde, pioneered the distillery of Local Gin, by using brewed Tea, as a colourant, known in the 1960s in the Gbongan Community and its environs, as “Ogogoro Wule” and also later diversified into produce buying, money lending transportation, Sawmill, general merchandise, and petroleum business.

In the early 60s, Wule inherited her father’s Cocoa plantation in Mojapa, in the early 60s. In 1965, she bought her first taxi cab that was placed in the care of Aderemi- a brother in law from Akiriboto, Gbongan, to drive.

In 1970, she demolished her family compound at Ile-Opo, and erected a modern structure a- storey building with Boys Quarters, which was immediately leased to the Nigeria Police force, as a Police barracks. Coincidentally, Samuel’s property at Ile-Ogbo, was also at this period, leased to the Police, as Police Barracks.

She also lived in a part of the premises, until the 12th of December, 1980, when she moved to her newly completed mansion at Oke-Ola Gbongan, that was directly opposite her Saw Mill industry, which she had established in 1976.
She had ventured into Saw Mill business in 1970, when Chief Jimoh Ibrahim Inuolaji, her in law, established a Saw Mill industry at Oke-Ola Gbongan. Her Saw Mill industry- Boladale Saw Mill industry prospered her. The Saw Mill industry had two imported CDC machines as band Saws, circular machines, Saw, sharpening equipments, all imported from France, with a fleet of Timber (Agbegilodo) lorries under the brand name-“Afisuru”. Many of her staff at the Saw Mill, enjoyed Motor Cycle loan.

She had earlier engaged in transport business of road Haulage, passenger transportation, with taxis and Peugeot 404 pick up (farioro) with the trading Name- Afisuru transport services.

She ventured into beer distributorship and beer parlours at Ile-Opo and Oke Church, Gbongan, respectively in the 70s.
In the early 70s, she had built for the St. Paul’s cathedral, a church extension within the premises of the St. Paul’s Church Cathedral, Gbongan.

In 1977, she built her first Estate named- the Boladale Estate at the Ola Estate, Layout Ile Ife, that was leased to the University of Ife teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, as accommodation for Medical doctors and Nurses.

She started the development of another Estate along Motel Royal, on Ede Road, Ile-Ife, but this development, remained uncompleted and incapacitated due to land tussles and litigation.

She started the construction of Boladale Petrol Station in 1976 and completed the station in 1978 and handed it over to the AGIP oil.

This station was reputed to be the first Petrol filling station on the Ife- Ibadan High way in 1978. This Station later became Boladale Petroleum Station.
This Station has now been consumed by the over head bridge on the Gbongan Osogbo junction.

Wule subsequently built 2 other Petrol Stations, at the Adenuga junction Gbongan and also at Oke-Ola near her residence, for ease of business. She had also started a similar station at Ile-Ogbo, that could not be completed due to land tussles.

In 1980, as part of her yearly vacation, she started yearly visits or holidays to the United Kingdom, Italy and annual Pilgrimage to Israel or Jerusalem.
In 1981, during her holiday to London, as part of memorable excitements, she witnessed the wedding of Prince Charles and lady Diana Spencer, that took place on Wednesday, the 29th of July 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, United Kingdom. The groom is the heir apparent to the British throne and the bride was a member of the Spenser family.

According to her, she enjoyed the street shows that were done to commemorate the wedding ceremony. She enjoyed her yearly vacation, to the United Kingdom, religiously, until her last trip to the UK in 2010, some few months before her exit in February 2011.

She was an activist in the mould of a man. She was the matron of the IPMAN Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Oyo and Osun states chapter, and was very instrumental, to the election of some members of it’s executives. Wule was the first woman Councillor to represent Gbongan. She served as the Supervisory Councillor for Health, in the old Irewole Local Government Council, Ikire. She was the pioneer Vice Chairman of the newly created Ayedaade Local Government of Oyo State in July, 1989, when it was carved out of Irewole Local Government, Ikire. She uniquely, started and encouraged the construction of the Gbongan-Orile Owu Road. She took the first set of Caterpillars to the Road.

As a political leader, she was one of those who fought relentlessly to make the Ayedade Local Government a reality. She was a hard working and dynamic leader, whose leadership roles and qualities could not be quantified. Wule was installed as the Otun Iyalode of Gbongan in 1980, and was elevated to the position of Iyalode of Gbongan land in the year 2004. Wulemotu Aduke Boladale, had three children which she deliberately spaced within the span of 7 years, perharps due to the enamour of commerce and active life, – Femi (1959), Bose (1966) and Yemi (1973).
She loved good cars and had quite a good number of them. A very hardworking and resourceful woman. She would ride inside her Timber lorry (Agbegilodo) to the thick forests, to fell timbers and negotiate with the owners of the Timber trees.

Her five grand children are Oyindamola, Olayinka, Fiyinfoluwa, Bola and Kikelomo, and her two daughters in law were- Olufunmilayo- wife of Femi and Olajumoke- wife of Yemi.

Elizabeth, as part of her commitment to the worship of God, had also before her demise, started the construction of a new Vicarage for the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Apata Gbongan, and also the renovation of the Muslim Ansar Ud-deen Praying ground (Yidi), for the Muslim community, at the junction of Gbongan Ife Road, Oke Ola, Gbongan.
These were her uncompleted projects.
Wulemotu Elizabeth Ayeriyina Boladale Aduke, may your irrepressible soul continue to enjoy peaceful repose with the Lord.

Hon. (Barr.) Femi Khinde
(SON)

Featured

Leatherworld: A Masterclass in Enduring Excellence

Published

5 days ago

March 21, 2026

Eric

Leatherworld defines what it means to be classy. And it has confidently taken the higher road. For more than three decades, it has not merely sold furniture — it has demonstrated what class truly means in business: integrity in craftsmanship, consistency in service, and vision in growth. And as its name, “Leatherworld” implies, it is a world of its own.

Founded in 1994 to meet the demand for high-quality furniture in Nigeria, Leatherworld began as a retail outlet focused on premium pieces through partnerships with Italian luxury brands. However, it has now upped its ante, spreading its tentacles with showrooms in Victoria Island and Lekki Lagos, and also in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory.

At a time when durability was often sacrificed for cost and quick turnover, the company made a deliberate decision: it would never compromise quality to cut corners. That principle has remained its compass ever since.

This is indeed the story of Leatherworld. For over 30 years, it has defined what luxury furniture means in Nigeria. It is not just a brand, it has consistently stood for one core principle: quality that lasts.

The company’s commitment to seasoned hardwood, aged for up to seven years before production, speaks to a patience that is rare in modern manufacturing. Indeed, its furniture is designed not for seasons, but for decade

Its growth has been matched by recognitions and honours from far and wide. Notable among some of these awards and recognitions are; international honours such as the Quality Summit New York International Award for Excellence (2013) to multiple awards from reputable organisation such as; the Nigerian National Assembly 2004 Awards, Furniture and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Award (2008), Interior Designer Association of Nigeria, IDAN, Award (2012). Indeed, Leatherworld’s name has become synonymous with leadership in interior décor and furniture manufacturing.

But beyond awards and expansion, it is its customer loyalty that tells the real story. For many clients, the Leatherworld experience begins long before the furniture is delivered.

The brand has earned respect across borders. But class is not proven by trophies alone. It is revealed in everyday interactions. Customers consistently describe professional staff, meticulous delivery teams, and after-sale technical support that is “second to none.”

From custom requests handled with speed and care to full-room assemblies executed with precision, Leatherworld treats service as part of the product itself.

Many customers attest to owning Leatherworld pieces for over 30 years — still structurally sound, still comfortable, still elegant. In a marketplace often flooded with disposable options, that kind of longevity is not accidental; it is intentional. This explains why the customers of Leatherworld attests to the durability and high quality of its products.

“I really enjoyed my shopping experience,” says Anita Ajah, who visited the Lagos showroom. “Their customer service was unlike anything I have experienced in Nigeria.”

Diana Ufuah shares a similar sentiment. “Leatherworld is the very best in terms of quality. I bought a sofa there and it is extremely comfortable and durable. What I also find intriguing is their customer service. My family and I were treated like royalty while shopping.”

It is a recurring theme – professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail.

Oluwole Adekoya describes the experience as “first-class quality furniture reasonably priced,” recommending the brand to anyone “with a dimension for taste.”

Kunle Adegbite highlights the end-to-end service: “I found exactly what I was looking for. Not only were the choices incredible, the service was outstanding. I requested their operations team to assemble my living room and they were quick, professional, and executed it beautifully. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Chioma Okonkwo, a long-standing client is more effusive in her review: “You only get bored with the same furniture but the thought of the new price you will pay keeps you loving your FOREVER furniture from Leatherworld!”

Those testimonies indeed speak volumes. Still, Leatherworld has not dithered from its vision to revolutionise the furniture and interior design industry in Nigeria and West Africa. And its message is simple: quality furniture is not a cost — it is an investment. You choose once. You choose well. You buy for life.

Leatherworld’s aesthetic draws inspiration from the elegance of Florence and the opulence of Nigerian culture — a fusion that respects global sophistication while celebrating local identity.

Its collections range from classical and neo-classical to contemporary and simple-line designs, ensuring that individuality is never compromised.

In doing so, the company has positioned itself not just as a seller of furniture, but as a curator of lifestyle — crafting pieces that define spaces for scholars, business leaders, families and discerning homeowners alike.

In business, class is consistency when no one is watching. It is honouring promises made decades ago. It is building products that outlive marketing campaigns. It is choosing long-term reputation over short-term gain.

In a competitive industry where shortcuts are tempting and compromise is common, Leatherworld has shown that real class lies in endurance — of materials, of service, of vision and of trust.

And in doing so, it has not only furnished homes across Nigeria and West Africa; it has furnished an example of how a company can grow, lead, and still remain grounded in excellence.

Bimbo Alashe, as the founder and CEO of Leatherworld Furniture Company, leads the international furniture retailing assemblage and manufacturing company in Nigeria. The company offers top quality leather furniture and accessories in wood, glass, marble, and other authentic and elegant materials, establishing a reputation for excellence in craftsmanship and design.

She is one of the most formidable entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Beyond building her company, she sits on the board of several companies and serves as a mentor to a number of aspiring and established entrepreneurs, sharing her experience and insight to help others grow.

Her story is not the typical one of a person who grows from old money. Alase had to create her story herself, making her way from the rough early days of owning a small mini-store to the point where she became a mega business owner through determination and persistence.

When Leatherworld was established, it entered the furniture space to redefine luxury and class. The business created an opportunity for her to explore her love for creativity, guided by a straightforward vision — to make high-quality furniture available to everyone.

Featured

Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Felicitate with Muslim Ummah, Nigerians at Eid-el-Fitr

Published

6 days ago

March 21, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The three frontline political leaders in Nigeria; President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi, have in separate messages call for the strengthening of security, sustenance of the spirit of goodwill imbibed during Ramadan as well as kindness among Nigerians as the Muslim Ummah celebrate the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr.

The messages are in response to the successful completion of the 30-day fasting – a period of dedication, sacrifice, spiritual renewal and stocktaking – which end birth the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Leading the avalanche of messages, President Tinubu, through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reiterated the need to lead a pious life seasoned by empathy and unity among humankind.

He noted that though the Ramadan season is over, but the lessons of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion, which the period is known, must consistently be the watchword of every Nigerian.

The message is captured in details below:

As Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigeria, urging renewed commitment to the nation and humanity.

President Tinubu enjoined Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves to the noble teachings of the holy month, which emphasize piety, empathy, and unity among humanity.

“We have a lot to draw from the noble lessons of Ramadan, especially at a time like this. We must continue to abide by the virtues of piety, selflessness, perseverance, kindness and compassion beyond this period,” he said.

President Tinubu urged all Muslim faithful to extend a hand of kindness to the needy of all faiths, to further show unity and camaraderie.

The President also tasked Muslim leaders to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace and prosperity to prevail in the country.

In the same vein, former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar congratulated the Muslim faithful in Nigerian and across the world on the successful completion of the mandatory Ramadan fasting, and the celebration of the Eid-el-Fitr.

A press statement signed by the media office of the former Vice President, admonished Muslims to remain steadfast in piety by maintaining peace and in charitable causes.

According to Atiku, the completion of the obligatory fasting in the noble month of Ramadan should lead to more commitment to the injunctions of Almighty Allah.

“The completion of the Ramadan fasting is a call to duty that ensures we sustain the good deeds that the noble month requires of us.

“We must ensure that the lessons of the month are not lost on us and that the celebration of today is a reminder to the people, especially Muslims, to follow in the tradition of the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in seeking closeness to God through worship and maintaining peace,” Atiku said.

He further called on the government to take it more seriously, stressing that “the protection of the lives and property of citizens is a divine decree and the sole responsibility of every government.”

Atiku similarly enjoins the privileged in the society to keep providing charity to the less privileged as this would go a long way in ensuring that the rising tide of economic downturn does not weigh too heavily on the poor.

“A greater number of people are being crushed by the economic downturn and global events in the past three weeks have further exacerbated the situation. It is incumbent on the wealthy to be more compassionate by taking up the responsibility of charity to help cushion the effect of the burden on the poor,” Atiku said.

Also lending his voice the congratulatory messages, Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, urged Nigerian Muslims to imbibe the spirit of Ramadan going forward even as the 30-day fast has officially ended.

“I join you with heartfelt joy as we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the blessed festival that marks the successful completion of the sacred month of Ramadan.

“This occasion is a profound reminder of the power of faith, discipline, selflessness, and unwavering devotion to Almighty Allah.

“Throughout Ramadan, you have fasted, prayed, given charity, and drawn closer to God, embodying values that inspire not only the Muslim ummah but every person of goodwill. These lessons of compassion, humility, patience, and solidarity must not end with the month; may they continue to guide our hearts, our actions, and our shared life as Nigerians.”

Many other prominent Nigerians and institutions have also identified with the Muslims in celebration, drumming the lesson of service, patriotism, piety and above unity of purpose to the hearing and learning of all and sundry.

The Eid-el-Fitr is the grand finale of the Muslim 30-day fasting period, popularly known in Islam as Ramadan. It is a yearly spiritual exercise.

Featured

TEF Entrepreneurship: Tony Elumelu Foundation Sets March 22 to Announce 2026 Cohort

Published

7 days ago

March 20, 2026

Eric

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs will announce the 12th cohort of the flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

In 2026, the Foundation will empower a total of 3,200 entrepreneurs across all its entrepreneurship programmes:
1,751 entrepreneurs through Heirs Holdings Group: Heirs Energies, Transcorp Power, Transcorp Hotels, and United Capital; 1,049 entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Commission, OACPS, BMZ and GIZ; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with Sèmè City Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with DEG, the German Development Agency; 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited and the Dutch Government; and 100 entrepreneurs in partnership with UNDP and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

Applications to the flagship programme were received from over 265,000 young Africans, representing all 54 African countries, underscoring Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial sector and the funding challenge for entrepreneurs. The new cohort will join the TEF Alumni community of more than 24,000 entrepreneurs.

The selection process is conducted by Ernst & Young, ensuring an independent and rigorous assessment of applicants.

Each selected Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur will receive $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital, access to world-class business management training on TEFConnect, one-on-one mentorship, and entry into a powerful network of investors, partners, and other entrepreneurs.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered over 2.5 million young Africans with access to business management training on our proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over US$100 million in seed capital to more than 24,000 selected entrepreneurs. Collectively, these entrepreneurs have generated $4.2 billion in revenue and created more than 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Through our support for African entrepreneurs, TEF has lifted 2.1 million Africans above the poverty line, and positively impacted more than 4 million African households, with 46% of supported entrepreneurs being African women.

Ahead of the upcoming announcement, Tony O. Elumelu, C.F.R., Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, reiterates his unwavering belief in the potential of Africa’s entrepreneurs:

“The future of Africa will be built by Africans who create businesses, generate jobs and solve the challenges of our continent. At the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we believe that empowering entrepreneurs is the most sustainable path to Africa’s economic transformation.

I look forward to announcing and congratulating the 2026 cohort of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs and look forward to witnessing the impact they will create across our continent.”

The general public is invited to join, virtually.