Boss Of The Week

We Are Lifting 42 Million Nigerians Out of Poverty – Basorun Adebola Orolugbagbe

Published

5 years ago

December 11, 2021

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The business of cooperatives has been taken to greater heights in Nigeria because of the top notch managerial abilities of Basorun Adebola Orolugbagbe, who sits atop the National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria, the umbrella body of cooperative societies in the country. In this interview, the man reputed as always selflessly thinking about the betterment of others, speaks on the associations efforts at lifting 42 million Nigerians out of poverty among other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Could you please introduce yourself

My name is Basorun Adebola Orolugbagbe. I am the President of the National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria. I am also the Founder and CEO of Coop Exchange Investment Trust and Credit Union Limited.

Before all these positions was you. Kindly tell us a little of your personality and background

I studied History and Political Science in the University of Ibadan, and graduated in flying colours in 1985. Thereafter, I proceeded to the United States of America where I studied Real Estate and Finance at Lumbleau Real Estate and Finance College inside University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). I graduated and worked with several real estate companies including Mike Glickman Realty, Musselli Brokers, AMRIC Real Estate and finally Coldwell Banker, the largest real estate firm in the US. Afterwards, I returned to Nigerian, and established a real estate firm in Victoria, and with my background in information technology, which I obtained while I was in the US, I also established DTK Solutions in partnership with a UAE based IT company.

Well, a time came when I felt that there was a vacuum in the way we handle and practice our micro finance system in Nigeria, which everybody was seeing through the lens of the CBN, which I disagreed with, and I still do. And so, we looked for an alternative market system, and came up with the cooperative, and it enabled us to do everything we want to do under micro financing and financial inclusion. That led us to establishing Coop Exchange Investment Trust and Credit Union in 2011, and we marked our 10th anniversary earlier this year. Since then, I have risen to become the president of the National apex body for financial cooperatives in Nigeria, which is the national Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria, and that has been since 2012. And God willing, I should be finishing my term by 2023 and hand over to a new administration.

How did you manage to switch from Real Estate to Financing which appear to be two different industries

They are one industry. I studied Real Estate Finance, and we were involved in the finance aspect of real estate, not really property development. Of course, we got involved in property development. We noticed the vacuum for finance for those at the Bottom of the Pyramid. Finance for bottom of the pyramid involves finance for their personal uses, which include finance for their children’s school fees, payment of bills and for anything that catches their fancy. However, we also noticed that they could not get financing to purchase their homes; that’s where real estate comes in. So real estate is one thing, but to finance the purchase of the home is where the synergy comes in. I am still within that realm of finance.

In the couple of years you have been in this business, you sure must have made some achievements. Can you itemise some of the achievements made so far

Oh, we have made quite a lot. We have done tremendously well. In the first place, through our national body, we have been able to established a streamlined and sustainable process of financing for our members across board in Nigeria, with due respect to the six zones of Nigeria; North West, North East, North Central, South East, South West and South South. The north west is our weakest link though. It is such that our members are able to go through a systemised process and access finance for any of their uses. That is one. Secondly, we have also been able to establish a N100 billion National Agriculture and Investment Cooperative Fund (NAIC FUND), which caters 70 percent of agriculture and 30 percent for other uses, and our members are accessing it presently. Then, how do we come about this? Usually, the CBN will come up to tell us that they have established funds for use in Nigeria, but in the end, what we have established and found out is that our members are unable to access funds when they establishes, so we have to come up with our own innovation, and people can easily access. We have had a lot of support from Lagos State government and they have opened the road for us to do that for our members to access funds for all the five stages of the agreed value chain.

Again, we have been able to establish what we call Cooperative Banking System. This means that our members are able to use our streamlined processes to manage their various their financial cooperatives such that members are able to access loans and credit through that systemised process. That is actually referred to as FOSA (Front Office Service Activities). That is ongoing. But the topmost part of it is our ability to establish the fifth exchange in Nigeria, which is the cooperative shares exchange (CSE). Presently, we have the Nigeria Exchange Group, which was formerly called Nigeria Stock Exchange. We also have the NASDOTC Exchange, we have FMDQ Exchange and lately Lagos Commodities and Features Exchange (LCFE). Those are the four existing exchanges in Nigeria. The Abuja Commodity Exchange was established during the General Sani Abacha era, but it never saw the light of the day. So our exchange, which is dedicated to cooperatives enables cooperative societies to come and list the shares of their societies and buy into the shares of others, and so check the capital market for the cooperatives. This is what is presently ongoing. We have completed all the processes. We have also received all regulatory approvals; from NLC, Lagos State and government approved agencies for us to be able to take off before the end of the year. So these are some of the innovative we have brought into cooperative financing and which is beginning to bear fruit.

You may wish to know that the cooperative financial access in Nigeria is in excess of N2.4trn of which we have in excess of 121 thousand registered cooperative societies. Our membership base is over 42 million across Nigeria. So, we are very large. We are the single largest business entity in Nigeria across board. Not even the Nigeria Labour Congress has our numbers. And we exist in every corner, from the Federal ministry of any establishment to the central bank to the oil industry – NLNG to Total to the remotest corner such as Zungeru. Just name it, we are there. We cover the entire strata of the Nigeria economy.

Is the accessibility of loans open to only members or just anyone in need of loans and credit

Yes, it is open to just members, however, who is a member? He is anyone in the society that has opted to join.

So what are the procedures for joining

One just have to pick a society that is of interest to him and join, and once you join, that brings you into the entire fold. So in essence. what it means is that any member of the society is a potential member, and for you to be a cognitive member, you must join the society. For example, if you want to do business with any bank, they will tell you to open an account. Opening an account means that you have a relationship with that financial institution, so it is the same time in cooperative. What you need to do is complete a membership registration process, and once done, you become a member.

Does it attract registration fee and other sundry fees like monthly dues

More oftentimes in cooperative societies, one has to pay registration and monthly fees, membership and development levies. One has to attend meetings and decide how much you wish to contribute on a monthly basis in terms of savings, which of course gives you access to either twice or thrice the amount of savings you have contributed whenever you want to borrow money. What it does really is that it encourages members to save money because of the rainy day. And most importantly, one is able to access credit whenever he needs money to do anything in the future.

Out of the 121 active cooperative societies in the country today, what special features will make me choose Coop instead of any other

Well, basically like any other thing; it is service and what you get in return, and then the assurances of your investments in the cooperative society. When we talk about investments, we mean your main savings, and you want to be sure that at the end of the day, whatever amount of money you saved in the society is save. And if you wish to apply for credit facility, you will be able to access the credit facility. So, that is what makes the difference. And we run ours in a professional manner than any other society. I make bold to say with all due respect to most of us that are in cooperative that regulation is still very weak within the cooperative sector. So for a society to keep to the tenets of financial regulation means that the society has actually chosen to remain on the side of probity. That is very important to us, and we have kept to that on since 2011 when we began operation. This is our 10th year, and we have been waxing strong.

Our focus is not even on us as the secondary society. The focus is on the national body where I preside over and runs affairs of things across the entire country. So, what we chose to do is to ensure that the processes of managing the activities of the cooperative societies has sustainable effect on the lives of the average persons across Nigeria. Remember we have 42 million members in Nigeria. So what it means in essence is that if I am affecting even 50 percent of the members, which is 21 million members; the total number of voters we have at every given election is less than 30 million, so you can equate us as a cooperative apex with that of a government in Nigeria. So, the truth of the matter is that we are a pseudo government, affecting the lives of our members positively.

Does it mean you can be a pressure group, and are you taking advantage of that

Correct! That is what we want to take advantage of now.

How soon

We have been working on it. We didn’t just start yesterday. We have been working on it as far back as 2013, and this is 2021. That is some good eight years that we have been on it. We believe that we should be able to have a say on who becomes the president of this country. And God willing, by 2023, we want to make sure that happens.

Economically, controlling 42 million Nigerians, can we say you have what it takes to lift 20 percent of Nigerians out of poverty

That is correct. We do as an institution, not in my person. But the institution of the cooperative – the movement – going by our capacity, yes, we do have what it takes to lift 20 percent of Nigerians out of poverty.

What is the response of members in terms of contribution and maximizing the opportunity to access loans, and how are the loans collected monitored to ensure prompt payback

Oh yes. You see, lending and credit, across board, has similar characteristics. When you want to lend, you must conduct due diligence on the borrower to know if he has the capability to repay. If he does, what is the source of the repayment? What is the credibility of the borrower, and then are we going to collateriase the loan? There are different ways to look at all these. They have similar characteristics across board whether it is GTB, Access or World Bank. There are lending characteristics, and we are not any different. Except that we have buyers for cooperative lending. This has its own peculiar characteristics that extend further than the normal lending characteristics e.g our lending is also based on trust. The trust content of it means that there must be two members within the cooperative that are standing as guarantors to the borrower. Meanwhile, those two guarantors must have their assets with which the cooperative will place a lien on. Then they will be able to access some credit. Which ever way, it is a win-win situation for both; lender and borrower.

Without mentioning names, can you give instances of those who have changed their lives positively through society borrowings

It is rather difficult not to mention names. However, it goes beyond the length and breadth of the cooperative lending movement. We talk about NLNG, Dangote Group and many others. This is what they do basically – For instance, we have NNPC cooperative wanting to set up a poultry farm in Kogi and needed to invest N1 billion. The One Billion was borrowed from a financial institution, but security for the lending was given by a cooperative movement. And they were able to service that, and the project is still existing in Kogi State even now for fish farming. There are so many; it cuts across the country. That is one of the key components of what we are happy to have achieved.

Don’t you have issues with the banks in the cause of your duties as regards taking their customers from them

Yes, there is. They fight us, but they cannot succeed. There are two key reasons why. Number one: the money that we lend to ourselves is sourced from within ourselves. Number two: all of the money are domiciled in these commercial banks because of the existing structure. So it is a win-win situation. It is very difficult for them to say we cannot lend to one another our own money. At the end of the day, we came to understand that we don’t have to see ourselves as competitors, but collaborators. And that is how we are surviving now.

Is there any law backing the establishment of cooperative societies

Yes, there are laws. The laws are on the Recurrent Legislative List of the Nigerian Constitution. They have what they call Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act 2004 Cap 98 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. It was converted from the Decree 90 of 1993 and its Subsidiaries. And every state of the Federation plus the FCT has an adaptation of the Nigeria Cooperative Societies Act as the state cooperative laws which derives its powers from the Federal law. That is how we operate. It explains the reasons we are registered either by the office in the states or the office of the Federal Director of Cooperatives under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is the chief regulator of cooperatives in Nigeria.

Basically, the activities of the Cooperative Societies are legit

Yes, fully legit. It is not like that in Nigeria alone, it is the same thing worldwide. Now, let me explain that the cooperative has six chaired level in the entire world. Four levels in Nigeria, and two worldwide. One – the primary societies, which we join as members. Two – secondary societies, which is made up of registered primary societies as members. We have state apexes and the national apex of which I am the national president. Those are the four levels in Nigeria. The fifth level is the African region, ACCOSCA, African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations, and then the World level, WOCCU, World Council of Credit Unions based in Wisconsin in the US. It is the same system across the world.

What advice do you have for those not members of the Cooperative societies yet

The advice is simple: join. Look for a cooperative society to join because a lot of things are happening in the societies now. This is the place where you can have access to the cheapest source of finance. I make bold to say that where your bank is charging you as high as two percent per month on your loan or credit, which gives about 24 percent per annum, cooperative will charge you not more half. You don’t have to deal with the issues of finance charge, procession charge, residence charge etc. You are better off with a cooperative society.

How did you come about your bashorun title

I am the Bashorun Adorun of Ayede Kingdom in Ekiti State. Ayede is one of the seven recognised old kingship institutions in the whole of Ekiti State. So, I am honoured to be a title holder for Ayede kingdom. I have been since 2009.

What is your marital status

I am married with very beautiful children and very lovely home

How do you relax

I read, and spend time with friends and family. I also love traveling. More importantly, I go through what is going on in the world of cooperatives with a view to discovering how to better the Nigerian cooperative societies, and that gives me a lot of joy.

Of all the countries you have travelled to, which of them left a more lasting memories in you

For me, it is South Africa. It is somehow in-between the European world and us, Africans. Whenever I am there, I feel like I am in a developed environment within the African context because I am fully African. I have been to a lot of places, but South Africa is it for me.

What is your favourite colour

I am very comfortable in white colour though one don’t get to wear white all the time. I love my traditional attires most especially. I wore foreign attire for the better part of my career, now at almost 60, I think I have to stick to traditional.

Boss Of The Week

Meet Gen Chinedu Nnebeife, the Brain Behind OyoRescue

Published

3 days ago

July 12, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

One man has remained at the centre of attraction as the intelligence-based rescue of the Oyo students and teachers continue to trend. He is Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan; one of the major strategic military formations in the country.

The efforts of General Nnebeife and his team did not only heighten their personality as individuals, but further buttresses the Military’s role in tackling the menace of insecurity across the country.

The rescue operation, which culminated in the safe return of 44 schoolchildren and teachers, has been widely celebrated by Nigerians and has further cemented the reputation of the senior military officer as an accomplished and result-oriented commander, a writer Ken Chukwudi Raph wrote.

A Proud Son of Anambra

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife hails from Umuogbu village in Awka, the capital of Anambra state.

For many indigenes of the state, the latest successful operation coordinated by the General has become another source of pride, as one of their own continues to distinguish himself in the service of the nation.

Over the years, Anambra state has produced many distinguished military officers, public servants and professionals who have contributed immensely to national development, and Major General Nnebeife’s accomplishments have added another illustrious chapter to that rich history.

Those who know him describe him as a calm, disciplined and thoroughbred officer whose leadership style is defined by professionalism, courage and dedication to duty.

Distinguished Military Career

The journey to becoming a two-star General in the Nigerian Army is never an easy one.

It is a path that requires years of hard work, discipline, sacrifice and exemplary service.

Major General Nnebeife’s rise through the ranks of the Nigerian Army reflects his commitment to excellence and his ability to deliver results in every assignment entrusted to him.

Throughout his military career, he has served in various operational and command positions, earning the respect of both his superiors and subordinates.

His appointments over the years have exposed him to different security challenges across the country, equipping him with the experience and expertise needed to handle complex military operations.

It is this wealth of experience that many observers believe played a key role in the successful rescue of the Oyo pupils and their teachers.

Coordinating a Complex Rescue Mission

Kidnapping has become one of the major security challenges confronting many parts of Nigeria.

The abduction of schoolchildren, in particular, often creates fear and anxiety among parents and communities.

Therefore, the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers without loss of lives represents a significant achievement.

Military sources said the operation involved extensive intelligence gathering, strategic planning and coordination among various security agencies.

As the General Officer Commanding the 2 Division, Major General Nnebeife was at the centre of the operation, coordinating efforts that eventually led to the safe rescue of the victims.

The feat has attracted commendation from various quarters, with many Nigerians praising the professionalism displayed by the military personnel involved in the operation.

Previous Rescue Operations

The latest rescue mission is not the first time Major General Nnebeife has been associated with successful operations against criminal elements.

During one of his previous assignments in Kwara State, he reportedly led an operation that resulted in the rescue of several kidnapped victims.

The operation further strengthened his reputation as an officer capable of handling difficult assignments and producing positive outcomes.

Security experts have often noted that effective military leadership is crucial in addressing the country’s security challenges, and officers such as Major General Nnebeife continue to demonstrate the importance of experience, intelligence and strategic planning in combating criminality.

Commitment to National Service

Beyond the commendations and accolades, Major General Nnebeife’s achievements underscore the sacrifices made daily by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and safeguarding lives and property.

Military personnel often operate under difficult and dangerous conditions, sometimes risking their own lives to ensure the safety of ordinary citizens.

The successful rescue of the Oyo pupils and teachers serves as another reminder of the commitment and dedication of Nigeria’s security forces.

For the Anambra-born General, the latest achievement is another milestone in a distinguished career devoted to national service and the pursuit of peace and security.

A source of inspiration

As congratulatory messages continue to pour in from different parts of the country, many have offered prayers for God’s continued guidance, protection and wisdom for the senior military officer.

They have also expressed hope that he will continue to excel in his responsibilities and attain even greater heights in his military career.

For many young Nigerians, especially those from Anambra State, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife’s story serves as an inspiration and a testament to the rewards of discipline, hard work and dedicated service to the nation.

His role in coordinating the rescue of the Oyo school pupils and teachers has not only brought relief to the affected families but has also further enhanced his reputation as one of the Nigerian Army’s finest officers and a worthy ambassador of Anambra State and Nigeria at large.

The entire nation stands in obeisance of the seasoned military officer, and wish the military continous success in its onslaught against terrorism, banditry as well as internal and external insurrection.

Congratulations General Nnebeife!!!

Additional information: Blueprint

Boss Of The Week

Fashion Icon, Eniafe Momodu, Joins Berlin Contemporary Jury

Published

1 week ago

July 6, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The appointment of fast rising world’s fashion influencer, Eniafe Momodu, into the Berlin Contemporary Jury, did not come as a surprise to as many that know the charisma and talent the young fashion enthusiast is endowed it. This is coupled with the landmark achievements that have trailed him in the pursuit of his chosen profession.

Eniafe is widely regarded as one of the most respected young figures in African fashion, whose work spans creative direction, image making, editorial development, cultural research, and brand strategy.

Sired by one of world’s leading journalists, Aare Dele Momodu, arguably the most influential and famous DELE in Africa, Eniafe has completely carved a strong niche for himself, taking a deep dive into the world of self awareness.

From a very young age, Eniafe had exuded style, composure, elegance and the flair to ‘look good’ at all times. His signature large bourbon attires, that was privately original, created distinct visibility for the young man, who continually has success as his motivating slogan. And success he has achieved in such a brief 28 years period.

Fondly referred to as ‘My Twin’ by his dotting father, Eniafe has continued to not only uplift the Momodu brand, but continually project the image of Nigeria and Africa in the brightest of colours.

Eniafe’s appointment reflects his growing influence as a creative strategist, producer, photographer, writer, and cultural commentator whose work has helped shape contemporary conversations around African fashion and its global impact. Recognised by platforms like Vogue Magazine and ESSENCE as a leading voice in the industry, he has built a reputation for bridging fashion, culture, research, and storytelling across international markets.

“It’s been an incredible process serving on the jury,” said Momodu. “The jury selection this season includes designers from Asia, Europe, Africa and America. I think this really underscores the German Fashion Council’s commitment to celebrating design talents from all over the world.”

More so, his appointment places the Nigerian creative among the industry leaders responsible for selecting and supporting emerging fashion talent.

The programme, one of Europe’s leading fashion development initiatives, awarded €25,000 grants to 19 winning concepts this season. Among the selected designers were Nigerian brands Orange Culture and Fruché, alongside talents from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Momodu described the selection as a reflection of the German Fashion Council’s commitment to celebrating design talent from around the world, further highlighting the growing presence of African voices in global fashion decision-making.

A PEEP INTO DESCRIPTIONS OF ENIAFE MOMODU BY FASUION MEDIA

In January 2022, Vogue captured the growing influence of Eniafe Momodu, through its reporter, Vincent Desmond, in story titled: Eniafe Momodu’s Style Shows the Extravagance of Men’s Fashion in Nigeria, as follows:

There’s a changing of the guard in fashion and culture. Gen-Z creators are pushing the conversation forward in ways both awe-inspiring and audacious. Our latest project, Youthquake, invites you to discover how these artists, musicians, actors, designers, and models are radically reimagining the future.

Where elsewhere men may shy from colorful fabrics and oversized dramatic silhouettes, in Lagos, Nigeria, they wear them as a symbol of wealth and great personal style. Each fashion week, you’ll see these men dressed in their best eye-catching prints, dramatic arm details, and flowing bodices, determined to outshine everyone else on the street style scene. Among this group is Eniafe Momodu, standing out and dominating over the rest not just in height—he stands at a towering 6’6’’—but also with one of the best looks.

Within the last two years, Momodu, a graduate of the University of Leeds who currently works as a photographer, producer, and writer, has become one of Lagos’s most recognizable Gen-Z style icons with over 24,000 Instagram followers. Momodu has brought to life campaigns and productions for companies like Arise Fashion Week, Alara, and Ebony Life, and has also been a host for his own projects, like New World Brunch. His custom green aso-oke and gazar silk agbada from Fruche, which he wore to the last Lagos Fashion Week in November, was lauded by many publications, including Vogue, as one of the best looks from the event. To attend Lagos Is Burning, a ballroom-inspired party, he wore custom-made all-black robes, which, in his words, channeled “Andre Leon Talley, Billy Porter, and Dominique Jackson.”

“My style is often described as grand, larger-than-life, and reminiscent of André Leon Talley.” Eniafe Momodu says from Dubai. But that extravagance belies his core fashion philosophy. “My typical silhouette involves something long and free-flowing,” he says. “There’s a certain ease of movement that I try to convey through my style, which also speaks to my personality. I don’t subscribe to the belief that fashion is pain. Comfort can be very stylish. For me, what I wear isn’t really about how I look. I’m far more concerned with the message behind what I’m wearing. I always think deeply about what a garment says about me, but also what it says about culture, gender, sustainability, and other facets of our society.”

Despite being a fashion capital, Lagos stores offer limited options for plus-size customers, particularly from the ready-to-wear brands. Plus-size outfits are often double or triple the price for the same outfit in a smaller size. Momodu has often faced this struggle and instead relies on easily accessible tailors in Nigeria to create his custom wardrobe. It’s a process with less hassle, but still not ideal.

“I would not describe fashion in Lagos as particularly size inclusive,” Momodu says. “However, thanks to the prominent bespoke culture in Lagos, the ready-to-wear industry and its shortcomings do not have as totalitarian an influence on our clothing as they do in other parts of the world. People here regularly turn to the made-to-measure industry and employ local tailors to create clothing for special occasions like weddings, funerals, and birthdays, as well as for their day-to-day traditional attire.” The caftans that Momodu has become known for are mostly made-to-measure by his favorite tailor (the two have a collaborative relationship and Momodu will send fabrics to him). He describes the process as many Nigerians would: Tailors rarely stick to deadlines, but they always get the job done well.

The easy access to tailors and bespoke fashion isn’t the only thing Momodu is grateful for as a stylish man living in Lagos. He considers himself lucky to have access to the culture and history that surround him in Lagos. The creative scene and the never-ending supply of fashion inspiration fuel his storytelling as a creator.

“In Lagos, we are privileged to have access to such a rich and vibrant cultural history. As a creative, you can find inspiration everywhere you look,” Momodu says. “When it comes to prints, patterns, textiles, and color combinations, we have centuries worth of references to choose from. At its core, Nigeria is a melting pot of different cultures and influences, so local designers and artisans can draw from aspects of Nigerian culture without becoming homogenous.”

In August 2025, prestigious lifestyle and fashion magazine, ESSENCE, through Ugonnaora Owoh, wrote the following on an encounter with Eniafe Momodu with the topic, How One Of Nigeria’s Most Influential Style Icons Eniafe Momodu Is Crafting His Own Style Legacy

When I finally catch up with Eniafe Momodu, it’s in person at the Nordic Hotel in the middle of Lagos’ bustling suburbs, which Momodu has been calling home for the past week while working on some projects. Our conversation commences as we share thoughts on the recent Met Gala. He lights up as we unpack and undress this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” It’s a lighthearted conversation, but he speaks with the clarity and authority that you would expect from Nigeria’s most prolific cultural dandy.

Momodu, a producer, photographer, writer, and entrepreneur is one of the most notable, young forces in African fashion. At just 27 years old, his creative repertoire is impressive. Born in London to a journalist father and an accountant mother, he describes his childhood as ridden with the characteristics of a multi-hyphenate. He was a precocious child whose earliest memories were shaped by his love of music and literature.

Momodu’s eccentric style has propelled his status as one of Lagos’ highly stylish individuals. Characterized by colorful garments and long-flowing silhouettes, his signature style has been replicated by many. Growing up tall and large, fashion to him was originally about concealment. His mother would dress him in clothes aimed at making him blend in and stand out as little as possible. The global pandemic and subsequent #EndSARS protests spurred his return to Lagos (having left at 16 to complete his studies in the UK), which led him to craft a new style identity.

At 11, he tells me he stumbled across an old digital camera, which instantly sparked a long-term relationship with photography and filmmaking. Throughout his early teens, he would capture candid moments of his family and friends at school. At 14, advised by a cousin to pursue photography more seriously, Eniafe approached his dad asking if he could buy him a professional camera. “I was lucky to be a second-generation creative,” he says. “My dad always encouraged my creative interests, but he was also a stubborn believer in academia.” Momudu explains that when he asked his father if he could buy a professional camera he declared he would if he received all A’s on his next report card. He notes that he doesn’t recall ever studying harder–however, he ended up receiving all A’s–and his camera was gifted by his father several weeks later.

That Nikon DSLR camera ushered in a new era for a young Eniafe, who quickly adopted photo-sharing apps like Instagram and Tumblr, becoming his secondary school’s de facto student photographer and yearbook editor shortly after. When Venus and Serena Williams visited Lagos in 2012 and hosted an inter-school tennis tournament, he was the youngest photographer granted access to document the showdown.

“I was able to see that there was a real power in photography. Being able to document specific moments, whether they were intimate or big, and seeing the joy in people’s faces as they relive moments you’ve captured. Not to mention the access it gives you. This was before everyone was a photographer and could take high-quality pictures from their phones. It was a superpower back then,” he tells ESSENCE.

Eniafe’s image continues to loom large, and it can be imagined how much more of a great achievement he is poised to bring to the table in the coming years.

A hearty congratulations to the fashion icon!

Boss Of The Week

Professor Abiodun Adeniyi: An Epitome of Leadership, Scholarship and Media Entrepreneurship

Published

2 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

By Adeoye Inioluwa

Professor Abiodun Adeniyi is a distinguished Nigerian media scholar, journalist, and academic leader whose career reflects a rare blend of professional journalism, rigorous scholarship, and institutional administration.

He currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, where he provides strategic academic leadership focused on innovation, excellence, and the advancement of higher education.

His academic foundation was laid at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He furthered his professional training in journalism at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, before proceeding on the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. There, he obtained a Master’s degree in International Communications and later completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication Studies, with research that explored internet-mediated communication among Nigerians in the diaspora.

Before transitioning fully into academia, Professor Adeniyi built a solid career in journalism. He worked with Today Newspapers and later spent over a decade at The Guardian, where he distinguished himself as a reporter and editor covering politics, governance, and national affairs.

His years in the newsroom not only shaped his understanding of media practice but also grounded his later academic work in real-world experience.

Following his doctoral studies, he returned to Nigeria and briefly served as a Communications Consultant on the World Bank-supported Economic Reform and Governance Project at the Bureau of Public Procurement.
He later established Witswords Consults Limited, where he offered strategic communication advisory services to public and private sector institutions.

At Baze University, Professor Adeniyi has played a central role in academic development and institutional growth. Over the years, he has served in several capacities, including Head of Department of Mass Communication, Deputy Dean, Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University Orator, Registrar, and ultimately Vice Chancellor.

He is widely recognized as one of the pioneering figures in strengthening postgraduate education and communication studies within the institution.

An accomplished scholar, his research interests span strategic communication, journalism studies, political communication, media and governance, diaspora and migration studies, and digital media. He has authored and co-authored scholarly works published in reputable outlets and has contributed to advancing discourse on media, democracy, identity, and communication in contemporary society.

Beyond academia, Professor Adeniyi has maintained active engagement in public discourse through consulting, research collaborations, and policy-related advisory work. He has worked with international development partners, including organisations such as the World Bank, European Union, USAID, and the International Organization for Migration, among others. His expertise has also been sought in media commentary, public lectures, and intellectual forums across Nigeria and beyond.
Colleagues and observers often describe him as a “public intellectual” whose work bridges the gap between theory and practice.

His contributions reflect a consistent commitment to ethical journalism, critical inquiry, and the role of communication in strengthening democratic governance and civic engagement.

Professor Abiodun Adeniyi stands today as one of Nigeria’s notable academic voices in media and communication studies. He is an intellectual whose career continues to demonstrate the enduring relevance of scholarship in shaping society, policy, and public understanding.