Draft:Tunji Olowolafe

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Tunji Olowolafe
CitizenshipNigerian
EducationUniversity of Ilorin (MBBS)
OccupationsBusinessman, philanthropist
Known for
SpouseGbemisola Olutayo Olowolafe
Children3
Websitetunjiolowolafe.com

Tunji Olowolafe is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who serves as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University.[1][2][3][4]

He is the chairman of Deux Project Limited and has previously served as the chairman of West African, aluminium can manufacturing company, GZ Industries.[5][6]

Early life and education

Olowolafe received his MBBS degree from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria and practiced as a medical doctor before he transitioned to business in 1988.[5][7]

Career

Olowolafe is the co-founder and chairman of Deux Project Limited, a company that specializes in hospital infrastructure projects.[8] He has served as chairman of GZ Industries which is an aluminium can manufacturing company in West Africa.[1][9]

He has held non-executive directorship roles at West Power & Gas, the core investor in Eko Electricity Distribution Company and Infracorp Nigeria, a $15 billion infrastructure investment platform backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Africa Finance Corporation, and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority.[10] He has also served as a non-executive director of the education technology company ULesson.[8] In 2026, Tunji Olowolafe launched the Gbemisola Olowolafe Miva Scholarship, a 1 billion naira programme providing undergraduate scholarships to 1,000 students at Miva Open University.[11][12][13][14]

Chancellorship

In January 2024, Olowolafe was appointed Chancellor of Ekiti State University by Governor Abiodun Oyebanji.[15][16][17] In the same year, he announced the establishment of innovation and agribusiness endowment fund for students and graduates of Ekiti State University.[18][19][20][21] In 2026, Olowolafe introduced Project Digi-Teach EKSU, a digital skills programme designed to equip all 650 lecturers at Ekiti State University with competencies for technology-driven teaching and learning.[22][23][24]

Philanthropy

In 2024, Olowolafe announced the establishment of the Tunji Olowolafe Foundation, which runs educational initiatives including the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial ICT Centre and the Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial Community Secondary School.[15][25]

Personal life

Olowolafe was married to Gbemisola Olutayo Olowolafe, who passed away on 11 March 2025 at the age of 63 after a brief illness in Texas, United States.[26][27] The couple had 3 children.[28]

References

  1. Rapheal (2024-01-19). "Business mogul, Tunji Olowolafe's new job". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  2. Opanuga, Jimisayo (12 January 2024). "Oyebanji appoints Tunji Olowolafe as EKSU chancellor". The Guardian Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  3. "Gov. Oyebanji Names Olowolafe EKSU Chancellor". www.ekitistate.gov.ng. 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  4. Olatunji, Kehinde (2025-11-27). "Ekiti varsity chancellor urges collaborative investment for $1tr digital economy". The Guardian Nigeria News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  5. "Billionaire Businessman, Tunji Olowolafe's New Job". This Day. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  6. Enietan-Matthews, Timothy (2015-08-24). "Unmasking Deux Projects Ltd, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, the masquerades behind Fashola's headaches". Daily Post (Nigeria). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  7. Okogba, Emmanuel (2024-07-15). "Powering Progress: Dr. Tunji Olowolafe's contributions to Nigeria's Energy Sector". Vanguard (Nigeria). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  8. Akpolu, Angela (2025-03-18). "Olowolafe Family Announces Passing Of Matriarch Gbemisola". Leadership (newspaper). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  9. Ugbodaga, Kazeem (2025-03-16). "Tinubu mourns as business magnate Olowolafe's wife dies". MSN. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  10. Bryant, Kalina. "Building Wealth And Sustainability As A Minority In Today's Economy". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  11. Adaramola, Zakariyya (2026-03-12). "Tunji Olowolafe Foundation Launches N1bn Scholarship For 1000 Students". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  12. Olayemi, Taiye (March 13, 2026). "Foundation unveils N1bn fund for 1,000 Miva Open University students". nannews.ng. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  13. "Tunji Olowolafe Foundation Launches N1bn Scholarship for 1,000 Nigerian Students". This Day. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  14. Enengedi, Victor (2026-03-13). "Tunji Olowolafe Foundation Launches N1 Billion Scholarship for 1,000 Nigerian Students". www.legit.ng. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  15. Afolabi, Okikiola (2025-11-13). "Ekiti varsity chancellor advocates partnership for $1tn economy". The Punch. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  16. Salau, Seyi John (2025-11-14). "Olowolafe calls for collaborative investment to build Nigeria's $1tr digital economy". BusinessDay (Nigeria). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  17. Ado-Ekiti, Rasaq Ibrahim (2025-11-08). "Ekiti varsity Chancellor seeks improved investment in medical education". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  18. Ibeh, Ifeanyi (4 April 2024). "Ekiti State University chancellor unveils N1bn fund to empower agro-tech startups". The Guardian (Nigeria). Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  19. "EKSU Chancellor, Olowolafe introduces N1bn innovation fund for undergraduates". Vanguard (Nigeria). 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  20. Ayeleso, 'Yomi (2024-05-09). "Ekiti monarch hails EKSU Chancellor over N1bn agribusiness endowment fund". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  21. "Olowolafe unveils global BPO platform for top Ekiti varsity graduates". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2024-04-05. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  22. Ogwo, Charles (2026-04-14). "Olowolafe unveils 'Digi-Teach', expands digital revolution at EKSU". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  23. John, Jessica (2026-04-13). "EKSU to train 650 lecturers in digital skills". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  24. Bolawa, Pelumi (2026-04-11). "At 30th convocation, EKSU chancellor unveils digital platform to aid teaching". TheCable. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
  25. "Olowolafe launches ICT, Model School projects in Ekiti, honours late wife's legacy". Realnews Magazine. 29 September 2025.
  26. Arogundade, Funsho (2025-03-29). "The late Gbemisola Olowolafe's last moments". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  27. Elumoye, Deji (2025-03-17). "Tinubu Extends Condolences to Dr. Tunji Olowolafe Over Wife's Passing". Arise News. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  28. Ajayi, Faith (2025-04-13). "Tributes flow as Gbemisola Olowolafe is laid to rest". The Punch. Retrieved 2026-01-22.