Seyi Tinubu has emerged as a highly influential figure in Nigeria’s political and business circles, largely due to his family’s extensive connections to the country’s political elite. As the scion of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President-elect in the recently concluded presidential elections and former governor of Lagos State, Seyi has been afforded a coveted status in Nigeria’s corporate and political circles. While the young man’s enigmatic brilliance shines forth in his dealings and, especially, in his charitable projects, it’s only normal to draw criticisms for his filial connection to one of Nigeria’s most controversial but dogged politicians, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect.
Evidently, Seyi’s exposure to his father’s political career and business dealings undoubtedly ignited his passion for entrepreneurship, and his subsequent accomplishments in business and political prominence can be said to be merit-based, since it takes a level of intelligence and savvy to leverage resources and inherited influential relationships. After all, cases abound of privileged sires who squandered such for lacking the insight to recognize the uncommon systems of advantage and proximity they enjoyed. It goes without saying that, although Seyi’s family name and connections have undoubtedly played a significant role in his ascent to political and economic, the man has refused to rest on his oars, and is as hungry to make a name for himself as any other Nigerian youth without such advantages.
Furthermore, despite rumours and accusations, Seyi Tinubu has cemented his position as a major power broker in Nigeria’s corporate and political landscapes.
One cannot have an in-depth understanding of how Seyi got to this point, without making recourse to his background to understand how for many, including people like Seyi, success isn’t arrived at by accident.
Oluwaseyi Afolabi Tinubu, born into a family of prominence on 15 October 1985, inherited a strong sense of excellence and work ethic from his father, Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect. Despite the expectations and pressure of his upbringing, Seyi’s balanced perspective has been a great asset in both his personal and professional life. His education is nothing short of impressive, having obtained a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in corporate and commercial law from the University of Buckingham. He was also called to the Nigerian bar in 2013, receiving numerous awards and accolades along the way. Not one to rest on his academic laurels, Seyi is also an executive member and co-founder of TELD NGO, launched in 2005 with the aim of improving the standard of living for underprivileged youths in Nigeria through sponsorship and mentoring programs. Seyi’s upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of duty and responsibility towards his community, driving him to pursue ventures that create positive change. Loatsad Promomedia, the cutting-edge outdoor advertising agency founded by Seyi, which is currently transforming the advertising landscape in Nigeria, is an embodiment of this drive. In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Seyi has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives, including healthcare, education, and youth empowerment, all geared towards promoting growth and development in his home country.
His career began with an internship at one of Nigeria’s leading oil & gas institutions, Oando PLC. This experience allowed him to gain valuable insights into the world of law, finance, and investment and provided him with a strong foundation for his future endeavour. After completing his studies, Seyi embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, co-founding some successful ventures across a range of industries, from online streaming platforms to technology. However, it was his role as the CEO of Loatsad Promomedia that truly catapulted him to the forefront of the business world.
Under Seyi Tinubu’s leadership, Loatsad Promomedia has become one of the most innovative and successful outdoor advertising companies in Nigeria, having leading blue-chip companies and multinationals as clients. Tinubu’s keen eye for market trends and his ability to identify new opportunities have been key factors in the company’s growth and success. Recently, Loatsad Promomedia Limited acquired the advertising company of one of its major competitors, E-Motion Advertising, founded by Sim Shagaya. This deal will accelerate the profitability of Loatsad and position it as a key player in the advertising industry. At Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi has also spearheaded the development of cutting-edge advertising technology, such as digital billboards, lamp posts, flex banners, bridge panel, activation/events, inflatables, and LED boards and mobile advertising units, which have helped to revolutionize the industry.
In addition to his focus on innovation, Tinubu has also been committed to fostering a culture of excellence within his organization. He has invested heavily in talent development, offering extensive training programs and mentorship opportunities to his employees. This approach has resulted in a highly motivated and engaged workforce, which has helped to fuel the company’s growth. In addition to Loatsad Promomedia, Seyi Tinubu has also been involved in other successful business ventures, including real estate development and technology startups. Through these ventures, he has demonstrated his versatility and his ability to thrive in a range of industries. His success in these ventures has further cemented his reputation as a dynamic and influential figure in the business world.
Seyi Tinubu’s success in the business world has not only allowed him to make a name for himself but also to give back to the community through his philanthropic work. He has been actively involved in conscientious charitable initiatives, with a focus on supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives. One of the organizations he is involved in is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Foundation launched in 2012, which is dedicated to promoting education and healthcare in Nigeria. As a member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Seyi has played a key role in shaping its programs and initiatives. He has also been involved in other organizations, such as the Youth Musical Fiesta pioneered by Oluremi Tinubu in 2012, an annual youth convention program for children and youth aged 7 – 18. Additionally, Seyi has been a staunch supporter and co-founder of the Noella Foundation, named after his daughter. The foundation aims to ameliorate the economic situation of Nigerians via entrepreneurship schemes, innovation, sustainable ideas, and policies. The Noella Foundation is the umbrella body of the Seyi Tinubu Empowerment Project (STEP) aimed at employment creation and technological skill acquisition for Nigerians through the support of tech start-ups with skills development and seed funding initiatives. Additionally, STEP provides business mentorship and networking opportunities for tech start-ups and gives them access to a community of pioneers in the tech space. The foundation aims to contribute immensely to nation-building through human capital development.
Oluwaseyi’s influence extends beyond the business and philanthropic worlds, as he has also been involved in Nigerian politics. As the son of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has had a front-row seat to the country’s political landscape for most of his life. For this reason of proximity as well as love and loyalty to family, Seyi has been an active supporter of his father’s political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and has been actively involved in various campaigns and elections over the years. While his involvement in politics has been largely focused on supporting his father’s party and candidates, Seyi has also been vocal about the need for a more transparent and accountable political system in Nigeria, and the active participation of the youth in Nigeria’s electoral processes. He has called for greater transparency in political campaigns and elections and has urged politicians to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens. For these reasons, Seyi Tinubu’s political influence cannot be overstated, particularly given his family’s longstanding involvement in Nigerian politics. Additionally, his political involvement has undoubtedly left a significant impact on Nigerian politics, the criticisms notwithstanding. Despite these criticisms, however, his advocacy for greater transparency, accountability, and robust political activism by the youth has contributed to important reforms in the political system.
Beyond his professional and philanthropic endeavours, Seyi Tinubu also has a personal life that is worth exploring. He is a husband and father and has been known to enjoy sports. He is married to Layal Jade Tinubu, a Nigerian-Lebanese entrepreneur and Political Scientist who is the founder of Tot Toys. Tot Toys is a children’s educational toyshop and learning space which provides an array of education-based items such as toys, books and activities to help unlock potential, and aid child development and learning through play. The couple is blessed with two children and is known to lead a private life, regardless of their public figure status.
Aside from advertising and philanthropy, Seyi Tinubu also has a passion for sports. He is an avid football and a supporter of Arsenal Football Club. Seyi also enjoys polo and is reportedly building a horse stable outside Falomo. He is also the Patron of the STL Polo Team in Lagos. He is a firm believer in the power of sports as a uniting factor.
While Seyi enjoys strong family ties, he demonstrates an uncanny ability to build strong work relationships which have been instrumental to his growth as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Likewise, Seyi’s journey to becoming a successful business leader is marked by impressive accomplishments and a notable leverage of influence to the benefit of many by way of employment or business association. Of truth, Seyi’s commitment to hard work, and his dedication to the growth of his business interests attest to his ability to leverage influence and resources.
Seyi Tinubu’s work has also been recognized in Nigeria and beyond. Some of the awards and recognition bestowed on him include The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Leadership Excellence Awards in 2017; Business Person of The Year at the Entrepreneur Africa Award (2019); Special Recognition Award by JustU Magazine at the Justival Award night (2019); Patron of Man O’ War Lagos (2019); Europe Business Assembly (EBA) Award for Best Enterprise and Manager of the Year (2019); Honoree of the Most Influential People of African Descent under 40 (2019) and the Excellence Award in Media Enterprise by the Sapio Club (2019). He speaks on topics such as foreign investment and privatization, information technology & (advertising) outdoor and digital, and human resources management.
Seyi Tinubu has shown that business success, political influence, and philanthropy can all be used to create a positive impact in the community, and has inspired others to do the same.
References
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