By Gabriel Sunday
As the 2027 general elections are fast approaching, one of the highpoints in the bookmakers’ list is the possible emergence of Mr. Seyi Tibunu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. The rumour mill already has it that Seyi is seriously warming up to clinch the ticket when the time comes.
Some ‘fly by night’ political analysts are even beating their chests already, trying to convince their folks that the recent impeachment of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was one in the many planned schemes to clear the way for Seyi’s emergence as the next governor. It is highly believed in some quarters that Obasa was becoming too strategic and poised for the 2027 governorship race in Lagos State and could constitute an obstacle to Seyi’s candidacy.
However, that is a story for another day as the thrust of this write-up is largely the non-political side of Seyi Tinubu whom many Nigerians never got to know until his father offered himself for the presidency of Nigeria some months leading to the 2023 Presidential election. Seyi’s public appearances became noticeable during the campaigns as he assisted to market his father’s candidacy in his own socio-economic constituency. Eventually, his father emerged the President and Seyi’s appearances at the seat of power became more visible even to the dislike of those in opposition.
Much as his father’s political influence and power gives him a stronger leverage than other Nigerians, one cannot sincerely erase the fact that Seyi Tinubu is a young man who has carved some niche for himself within the limits of his ability and potentials outside of his father’s political influence. It is evidential that he did not abuse his influential family pedigree as some people in his class would have done. He was sent to some high brow schools early in his life both at home and abroad and did not seem to be over-pampered. He was perhaps, quite mindful of how far determination and excellence can decide one’s future.
He began his education at St. Saviour’s School Lagos before moving over to the United Kingdom where he studied at the Holmewood School, London, and Milton Abbey, Dorset. His higher education began at Lincoln University in the UK before he moved to the United States, earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. Later, Seyi returned to the UK to study law at the University of Buckingham, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 2011, and was called to bar in 2013. To further cement his legal career, he returned to his alma mater and acquired a Masters in Law, (LLM) degree. However, in spite of his two degrees in Law, he chose to make a difference by opting to follow the path of entrepreneurship as a media practitioner majoring in the advertising sector after a stint at Rotimi Tinubu & Co, a family business dealing in real estate and property development. In that family business he gained invaluable experience in the real estate industry, learning the intricacies of property development, management, and investment.
Having a mind of his own and clear vision of where he was headed, in 2013, Seyi Tinubu co-founded “Loatsad Promomedia Limited,” a leading out-of-home advertising company in Nigeria. Under his leadership, the company has grown rapidly, offering innovative advertising solutions and expanding its presence across the country. Over time, Loatsad Promomedia has been recognized as one of the top advertising firms in Nigeria, with a strong portfolio of clients and a reputation for excellence. Obsessed with some high stake tendencies in the advertising industry, Seyi Tinubu went ahead to enlarge his advertising coast by founding “Red Dot Media,” an advertising agency known for its creative and strategic approach to marketing. This venture has ostensibly helped to solidify his position as a key player in Nigeria’s advertising industry.
With the benefit of his pedigree as the heir-apparent to the Bola Tinubu dynasty and all the paraphernalia that go with it, Seyi could have as well settled in a palatial space enjoying all that comes with his father’s position, but interestingly he has often carried himself in a manner that separates him from the entitlement mentality of some children of Nigeria’s first families at one time or the other who would not want to carve some niche for themselves but ride on the back of their father’s power and glory.
From records, it is glaring that even though he has his family’s support in any venture he dares to involve in, the fact that he is astutely involved with such panache that stands him out, obviously reveals the uniqueness of his person and a clear indication that he would always have something tangible attached to his name and not just being the son of a president. Evidence of this, clearly comes to light with respect to his interest and involvement in the entertainment industry, philanthropy and other social engagements beyond his entrepreneurial activities. Over the years, he has played a pivotal role in organizing and sponsoring entertainment events and shows, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s entertainment sector.
Remarkably, Seyi Tinubu’s philanthropic ventures are centered on helping underprivileged communities in Nigeria. The Noella Foundation, which he founded and named after his daughter, works towards empowering Nigerian youths by providing education, healthcare, and skill acquisition programs. In addition, he leads the Seyi Tinubu Empowerment Project (STEP), which provides mentorship and job creation initiatives for young Nigerians. He is also said to be deeply involved in his family’s charitable initiatives, particularly the Bola Tinubu Foundation, which he coordinates towards alleviating poverty through education and training. Notably too, Seyi has been part of several notable outreach programmes, including a massive food donation drive in 2013, where he distributed over 3,000 bags of rice and cooking oil to underprivileged communities.
In some quarters, Seyi Tinubu has been dubbed ‘the face of Lagos’ by praise singers and admirers, as in many occasions he has chosen to be the rallying point of influence and networking between the youth and the elderly. He remains a go-getter of sort and highly dependable by both the young and the old when the concern is business, politics and management. He is said to have the links and vast knowledge he applies to solve the myriads of problem and challenges of the people around him.
Interestingly, the good qualities imbued in him have over the years earned him recognition and award of honours at different times and places. His efforts have been widely recognised in Nigeria and beyond, with awards, such as 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); Honouree of the Most Influential People of African Descent under 40 (2019); and the Excellence Award in Media Enterprise by the Sapio Club (2019). In 2020, he was inducted into the Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics, Ghana, just as he was crowned the ECOWAS Youth Ambassador for Entrepreneurship and Youth Development in 2019.
As events unfold towards 2027 governorship election in Lagos State his admirers and even the opposition are eagerly waiting and watching to see the pendulum swings. Is he truly interested in politics and governorship of Lagos State or is he being literarily dragged into it by those who believe him? Politics and business, Seyi Tinubu is certainly the one to decide.
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