When Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, a medical doctor quit medical practice in 1988 and ventured into manufacturing, many could not fathom any plausible reason why he should quit a thriving and noble job for the uncertain and fluctuating nature of Nigeria’s business climate. But despite the discouragement, he was adamant to go ahead and refused to be bogged down by the morbid fear of failure.
But what many didn’t understand at the time was that it was a well-thought-out decision. The beginning was tough though, but Olowolafe has never for once regretted his decision.
A very silent African billionaire — people hardly get to hear much about him — he is not one of your moguls that celebrate their duels in frivolities. The business magnate is one of those top Nigerian figures whose charm and connections enable them to cautiously command both political and economic power. He has remained a huge success ever and is listed among Nigeria’s richest.
He is the chairman of GZ Industries (GZI) —West Africa’s leading aluminium manufacturer and he is dedicated to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructural gaps. The business magnate is also a non-executive Director of Infracorp Nigeria —a $15billion infrastructure investment entity.
Aside from his entrepreneurial interest, one critical area Olowolafe has also hammered on is how best Nigeria and the entire continent can realise her full potential.
To him, the only antidote to true freedom and prosperity is to ensure a stable democracy, rule of law and quality education. Olowolafe has quietly been working towards achieving this. He has combined his strategic contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructure and promoted a promising future for the country under visionary leaders like him.
One of those aims is gradually coming to fruition with his acceptance of his recent appointment as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti by the Visitor to the University, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji.
It was gathered that Olowolafe was selected by the governor given his devotion to improving his homeland and contributions across various sectors of the economy. A world fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh, Olowolafe has previously served as a member of the Ekiti State Covid-19 Resource Mobilisation Committee.