Boss Of The Week

Yakubu Dogara: The Man, the Politician, the Humanitarian

Published

4 years ago

July 10, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

When a list of reputable Nigerians is compiled, a former Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara, will definitely be at the top echelon. This is not only because of the fact that he has held the number four citizen before, but because of the established fact he is a career minded individual of note, dishing out humanitarian tendencies, and approaching every assignment in every position with a human face. Dogara is one of a Nigerian.

Dogara is an effective lawmaker, who became the Chairman of the newly created House Committee on Customs, even as a neophyte in 2007. Describing him in his book, Dogara: A Reed Made Flint, Dele Momodu noted that “I’ve encountered many leaders globally but Dogara Yakubu is in a class of his own.

Born on December 26, 1967, to Yakubu Ganawuri and Saratu Yakubu, in Bauchi State, Yakubu Dogara began his education in 1976 at Gwarangah Primary School in the then Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Upon graduation in 1982, he proceeded to the Bauchi Teachers’ College for his secondary education, and obtained a Grade II Teachers’ Certificate in 1987. In 1988, he went on to the University of Jos, Plateau State, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons.) degree in 1992. He is a prolific politician, who served as the 14th Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives. He has been a member of the House since 2007 representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria Federal constituency of Bauchi State. He is currently a member of All Progressive Congress (APC).

Dogara’s academic and career rise are best described as legendary, starting from 1992 when he was admitted as a student at the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School, and later called to the bar in 1993. He followed it up by obtaining a Masters (LLM) in International Commercial Law at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.

His quest for knowledge did not end with his law education as he also attended a course on Managing and Leading Strategic Change in 2006, the Oxford University Course on Negotiation in 2013, and a course on Leadership in Crisis at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2014.

Even after becoming the Speaker, Dogara’s passion for education did not abate as in October 2016, he attended a course on transformational leadership in Cambridge University, United Kingdom.

Like the oak, Dogara began from a humble level, taking taking up his first employment in April 1988 as a classroom teacher at the ATBU Staff School in Bauchi. In 1993, during the mandatory National Youth Service Corps exercise, he served at NCCF, Akwa Ibom State. On completion in 1994, he went into private legal practice until 2005 when he was appointed Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Transport, a position he held until 2006, when he decided to contest to represent the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa-Balewa constituency at the Federal House of Representatives. He was successful and consequently admitted into the House in 2007.

His appearance in the House did not go unnoticed, as he was immediately given a committee to head. There was then no going back from then onwards. He became a strong force to reckon with, strongly advocating among others, the independence of the legislature. His legislative interests include tenancy, regulating monopolies, company law, and intellectual property. The number of bills he has sponsored remains innumerable just as he has undertaken several assignments with success results trailing.

Some of them include as recorded by Wikipedia:

During the Sixth Assembly (2007 – 2011), Dogara chaired two House committees, namely the House Committee on Customs and Excise, and the House Services Committee. During this period, he was also a member of the House committees on Judiciary, Capital Markets and Institutions, Foreign Affairs, Rural Development and Power, among others.

During the Seventh Assembly (2011-2015), he served as Chairman of the committee on House Services and Welfare, and as a member of others including Judiciary, Land Transport, Labour, Employment and Productivity, Steel Development, and Legislative Budget and Research.

Dogara has also served on panels and adhoc committees in the following capacities;

Chairman, Nigerian Customs Service Probe Panel
Chairman, Adhoc Committee on Composition and Pigmentation of Cement in Nigeria
Chairman, House Adhoc Committee on Disbursement of Public Funds by the Bank of Industry
Member, House Contract Scam Probe Panel
Member, Hijack of fishing vessels and Maritime Security Probe Panel
Member, House Adhoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft
Member, House Adhoc Committee on Constitutional Review

In 2010, Dogara sponsored the Corporate Manslaughter and the Data Protection Bill. These were followed by Federal Competition Commission Bill in 2011.

In 2013, he sponsored a bill for an act to amend section 143 of the Nigerian Constitution in order to make the process of removal of the President and the Vice President (on charges of misconduct) less ambiguous. In the same year, he also sponsored bills on Public Interest Disclosure, and Hire Purchase.

In the Eighth Assembly, i.e. the current dispensation, Dogara has sponsored bills which include the North-East Development Commission Establishment Bill 2015, the Subsidiary Legislation Bill 2015, the Federal Competition Bill 2015, the Data Protection Bill 2015, the Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2015 and the Hire Purchase Bill 2015.He is also sponsoring the Budget Process Bill in fulfilment of his promises to reform Nigeria’s budgeting process. The Bill when passed into law, according to him, will outlaw non-implementation of budgets which is the bane of Nigeria’s development since 1999.

Dogara has sponsored many motions throughout the duration of his legislative career, some of which bordered on;

An alleged concession agreement between the Ministry of Finance and a technology firm which was signed in secrecy during the government transition period
The indiscriminate granting of waivers, exemptions and concessions by the Federal Government
The need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to implement the cashless policy in phases based on the availability of the requisite infrastructure.
Urgent need for both Houses of the National Assembly to activate their constitutional powers under section 58 (1) (5) of the 1999 Constitution in relation to bills over which the President has failed to exercise constitutional responsibilities and powers under section 58 (1) and (4) of the Constitution.

Dogara is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, the Cyber Bar Association and the Social Policy Association. He is also an associate member of the Institute of Environment Management and Assessment, and the World Jurist Association, among others.

He also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Legal Adviser to FAcE-PAM, an NGO operating in Bauchi State.

Dogara is a Christian. Shortly after his election as speaker, Dogara held a thanksgiving service at Living Faith Church Worldwide. He explained that his victory was through divine placement and the teachings from the Church since 1988.

He is an active supporter of the Not Too Young To Run campaign, which aims to secure representation for Nigeria’s youth in the political process by lowering the age of eligibility for elective offices. He first mentioned the need to consider this reduction in the next amendment process during a meeting with student leaders drawn from across Nigerian tertiary institutions. He also advocated extensively for local government autonomy in Nigeria. His support for local government autonomy is informed by his belief that it will result in greater and quicker development at grassroots level, and the House of Representatives, under his leadership, pursued constitutional amendments which would grant both political and financial independence to local governments.

While delivering a pep talk on the place of opposition and persecution in shaping the destiny of a believer delivered to his fellowship group, Watchmen, in London in 2018, Dogara made some revelations about himself.

He said:

“In 1988, I made a conscious decision to build my life on the promises of God, not on the circumstances of life. My life has never been anchored on the things of this world but on the promise Maker and keeper, the ever covenant keeping God, who cannot be taken away from me. Because his word is unbreakable, my hope is Unshakable. The natural scares me no more because the supernatural has taken over. You may not know what the future holds but that’s not important if you know the one that holds the future. My heart desire is for God never to take me to a position where I ll no longer serve him and humanity.

“I want every step I take to be paved by God’s grace not by any sense of mundane importance or popularity that I may gain from it. I know that every promise of God must be tried before it can triumph. If you must give me gold or silver don’t give me the one that hasn’t been refined. For God’s promises it is opposition or enemies that refine them for us.

“When enemies rise up against you, as long as you are in his will, rejoice greatly because your promotion draws near. This is validated by my own life testimony. The greater the opposition, the greater the promotion. That’s God’s promise to us. Remember Jesus was massively opposed by the devil and you as his disciples cannot escape opposition from the same old devil. Even in this, his word is ever reassuring: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

“God’s promises are sure. Based on his assurances in the scriptures, I have learnt to see opposition or enmity differently.

“When enemies raise up against me, it is that he will cause them to be smitten before my face. When they come against me one way, It is that they ll flee before me seven ways.

“When they gather against me, it is that they ll fall for my sake. When I am in the presence of my enemies all I see is a table he has prepared for me and my cup running over. If these were not to be the case, then God ll be a liar and he is not. It has always been the case for me and you too can build your hope on these sure promises of God and the result will not be different.

“Had the devil known, he would have gone to war with those who crucified Jesus. The scripture is clear on this: “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory”. The devil underestimated the power of Jesus’ resurrection and that proved too costly. If your enemies know that is it on account of what they do to you that your promotion comes, they would not try it. But they ll do all within their powers to pull you down in your ministry, career or positions because they are blinded and by that your promotion will come.

“My final word is for you not to bother about enemies or oppositions. They ll come, anyway because that’s what the scripture says. The scripture admonishes us, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”. Friends, just dare God. Don’t worry about results either. It’s not in your place to work out results, all that’s required of you is to believe. The one who works out the result does not sleep nor slumber. He does not change and cannot change. He never fails otherwise he won’t be God. If you hold unto him without wavering, you ll see the results. My experience has thought me that as long as you are in his will, those operating in the natural cannot pull you down, no matter how hard they try, even if they hire the devil to help them out.

“As watchmen, let’s continue in the best tradition of prayer. Taking our eyes off the opposition and enemies and focusing on the firm assurances of our eternal king. May we remain faithful and true to the end and until God sends the early and later rains again, as our anthem says.

“God bless you all.” He is a dedicated Christian.

It must also noted that Dogara’s political sagacity is intertwined with milk of human kindness. He narrated how he strived to save a former Speaker of the House, Mrs Patricia Etteh from obvious impeachment, saying he warned her, but she didn’t listen. The exposition is contained in his biography by Dele Momodu.

He said: “We had this practice whereby the body of principal officers of the House of Representatives and the body of principal officers for the Senate were like the tenders’ board for award of contracts and like Etteh that was what consumed Okadigbo as well. So when the House awarded the contracts for the renovation of presiding officers’ houses, there were cries that the contracts were inflated and that there was no way Speaker Etteh could wash her hands clean.”

The book highlighted that ‘the moment Dogara heard this allegation and her accusers started bringing out the papers, he knew that it was a high-stake political game involving both members and the management of the National Assembly.”

The book added that her detractors were in possession of some papers which they were leaking, and Dogara saw a controversy that was proving to be more than met the eye, stressing that everything pointed to the fact that the Speaker’s days in that exalted position were numbered.

Being one of those that took the enlightened decision that led to Etteh’s emergence, ‘Dogara was wary of the outcome. Etteh had set a great pace for the undermined women and men by breaking the barrier, the glass ceiling and now there was no doubt a huge, powerful group was about to destroy the symbol of that accomplishment.’

Momodu’s book confirmed that Dogara knew he needed to reach the embattled Speaker as soon as possible. But fate was bent on playing games against the ill-fated speaker as most Reps who could be dissuaded were on an annual recess at that time, and had gone on holidays abroad. This includes the Speaker himself who Dogara recalls was in the US at the time. But he went ahead and put a call across to her!

The call was necessitated based on the fact that he “studied the documents and noticed enough red-flags, as a lawyer, to put the embattled Speaker in a serious fuss.” He still wanted to give the hapless woman the benefit of doubt; that the errors or red flags might have been inadvertent. After all, as a human, anybody could be misled in a world of sundry advisers. He believed that if Etteh must go, she must be given the honour of a gracious exit.

The book went: “I will never forget this,” Dogara reflects. “I remember placing a call to her and advising her like any other lawyer member could have done, to say that ‘Ah, Madam Speaker, I have seen these documents and I have these discussions because it is being discussed among our colleagues. I have weighed it and as a lawyer, this is my counsel and, God bear me witness, I said my counsel was that right from the US where you are now announce to the whole world that you have cancelled these contracts because of the issues being raised and some of the irregularities. Tell the world that you are not an angel. Tell them that because of the possibility of some processes being inadvertently overlooked, you are cancelling the contract. So, even when you come back and somebody raises an issue about those contracts, you will say, ‘Oh is it about the contracts that have been cancelled?’”

Momodu’s Dogara: A Reed Made Flint is a must read for those who wish to understand the intrigues and power play among the high and mighty as presented by someone who has seen if not all, but a tangible bit of power tussle in the nation’s legislative chambers.

Dogara, who is studiously looking forward to greater assignment in the service of his nation, Nigeria, is happily married to his beautiful heartthrob, Gambiya, and they are blessed with two great children, Chimel and Awusong.

Boss Of The Week

Meet Gen Chinedu Nnebeife, the Brain Behind OyoRescue

Published

1 week 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

2 weeks 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

3 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.