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I learnt my entrepreneurial acumen from my mother –Taiwo Afolabi

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, SIFAX boss

Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the enigmatic founder and Group Executive Vice-President of SIFAX Group, is a mercurial entrepreneurial genius.

From the little beginning as a freight forwarding company in 1988, he has nurtured SIFAX into a gigantic conglomerate which has diverse interests in shipping, haulage, oil and gas, financial services, ground handling operations and hospitality.

Dr Afolabi, whose philanthropy is legendary, is 60 years old today, Friday, April 29th, 2022.

In this sit-down interview, Dr Afolabi takes us through his 60 years of eventful and impactful journey, his early life, his business tutorials, his daring venture into the world of business, his philanthropy and his family.

Tell us about yourself:

I am Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the founder and Group Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group.

Obviously, I am an entrepreneur, business leader, mentor and many more.

I am an indigene of Ogun State and by the grace of God, I am 60 years old.

I was born in Ondo on April 29, 1962.

As my first name indicates, I am a twin, I have a twin brother. I had my primary school at Ondo and my secondary school education at Baptist Grammar School, Ibadan.

I hold a Law degree from the University of Lagos as well as Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the same university.

I have been running my business for over 33 years now. I actually launched my company in 1988 as a freight forwarding firm in Lagos, Nigeria, after working with an uncle, under which I learnt the rudiments of the clearing and forwarding business.

From the little beginning in 1988, SIFAX Group has grown to become one of the leading indigenous corporations in Nigeria with thousands of jobs created, both direct and indirect.

We have also spread our tentacles to other African countries as well as Europe and America.

Our core business focus is integrated logistics, but over the years, we have diversified to other areas including financial services, oil and gas and hospitality.

Aside from running my business, another thing I am passionate about is societal impact.

As an organization and in my individual capacity, we support causes and individuals who are not privileged in society.

Our key intervention areas are education, health and youth and women empowerment.

We have a foundation which is devoted to implementing our beliefs in this regard.

I have also been privileged to be a recipient of national honour in Nigeria, a Member of the Order of Niger (MON) while I am also the Honorary Consul General of Djibouti in Nigeria.

I am a family man. I am married to a beautiful and supportive woman, Mrs Folashade Afolabi, and blessed with children, who are all doing well in their different endeavours.

How do you feel turning 60?

Let me start by expressing my appreciation to God Almighty who has remained my source and inspiration over the years.

He has not only kept me alive but has also granted me grace, meets all my needs, and grants me good health, peace of mind and a great family. I am indeed a grateful man as I turn 60.

I am sure some of my peers have died and so many are not as privileged as I am.

These and many more give me unending joy because of the grace.

I am probably not the smartest, but God’s grace has found me and beautified my life.

So, as I turn 60, I am grateful to God. I am happy that life has been kind to me. I am grateful for the modest impact God has accomplished through me.

I am grateful for a wonderful family and I am grateful for a greater future.

You started your career with your uncle and later left to float your own business. What was the motivation for this?

Well from a tender age, I have always been entrepreneurial in my thinking.

My mother was a trader and through her, I learnt the rudiments of trading and that passion has stayed with me ever since.

So starting my business was a natural progression for me after spending some years learning the ropes from my uncle who owned a clearing and forwarding business in Lagos.

I rose up to become the Operations Manager in the company. By this time, I was well grounded and ready to take on the next challenge.

Apart from expressing my passion, I also set up the business to take advantage of emerging opportunities and to provide a platform for others to fulfil their dreams through job and wealth creation.

Today, our companies employ about 5,000 staff and you know the implication of such a number of employees, especially the ripple effect on their immediate and extended families as well as the society.

If you also throw in the number of businesses, both large and small, that do business with our various companies, you will see how far we have come in impacting society.

Those are some of the things that motivated me to start my business then.

What are the key lessons life has taught you in the last 60 years?

There are many of them.

One is that you must be strategic in your thinking and planning in order to become outstanding.

An ordinary approach will always deliver ordinary results. If you look at the growth pattern of SIFAX Group, it is a result of well-thought-out plan.

The integrated approach has helped us.

From running a clearing and forwarding firm to starting inland container depots across Lagos to bidding and winning the concession of a port terminal to setting up a haulage business that conveys goods from these ports to the container depots, to bidding and winning concession of a ground handling company, to launching the Marriott Hotel and a financial services company.

You will see that these businesses are complementary in nature and this has given us some form of advantage over competitors.

I also need to emphasise the place of humility. Let me tell you, before God, we are all equal, whether you are rich or people.

Everybody deserves respect.

Humility will attract people to you and they can go to any length to support you if they know you are not arrogant.

I have always believed in living a simple and humble life which is scriptural because God admonishes us to live humbly and promised to elevate us.

I have also studied the lives of many successful godly people and you’d see humility in them.

I have many VIPs – ministers, successful businessmen and top government officials as associates, but I always come back to my constituency which is my old time friends and schoolmates and I cherish them greatly.

I won’t abandon them because I now have new friends. I’ve gone to several places and people doubt if I were the Dr Taiwo Afolabi they have heard so much about.

I always tell them that simplicity owns the world.

Life has also taught me the importance of friendship and relationship building.

It is a skill that is important to get ahead in life. Value friendship. I have some of my friends that have been with me for over 40 years, some since our secondary school days and we are still together today.

Obviously, the need to give back.

Most of the time, God blesses us more than what we need so we could support and care for others.

This is a lesson I learnt from a tender age and I haven’t deviated from it till today.

Your company opened Lagos Marriott Hotel about a year ago. What motivated you to launch this business?

I have been privileged to travel around the world in the course of doing business and pleasure and this has exposed me to international standards in the hospitality industry across the globe.

So the major reason for the investment in the hotel is to provide the same level of comfort, class and superior customer experience for Nigerians.

Nigerians are reputed for hard work and relaxation, and enjoyment should naturally follow after working so hard.

The hotel provides the perfect ambience to relax, refresh, connect and celebrate the achievements that follow their hard work.

In the last one year of operation, the hotel has disrupted Lagos hospitality landscape.

It has become the favourite venue for major individual and corporate events.

Aside from this, as a corporation, we always look for opportunities to impact our country.

I have this vision of creating jobs for as many Nigerians as possible.

Hundreds of eligible Nigerians are currently employed in the hotel while the indirect employment and other ancillary benefits can’t be quantified.

So, job creation is another key factor in setting up the business.

There is a need to build the next generation of entrepreneurs. What role do established business titans like you should play?

The reason many people don’t succeed in business and careers is due to a lack of mentorship.

They go into business without the guidance and support of mentors who have done successfully what they are trying to do.

Mentorship is key for young entrepreneurs in Nigeria. By the way, let me say that the future of Africa is entrepreneurship.

Young people must be encouraged and supported to pursue their dreams.

This is going to help in reducing poverty and the high rate of employment on the continent. It is the duty of successful businessmen and women across the continent to mentor and support these budding entrepreneurs.

These young entrepreneurs need to be mentored and guided so that Africa can witness true prosperity.

I have been involved in this both directly and indirectly. My company supports various platforms and initiatives that identify and nurture budding entrepreneurs.

I also have people I personally take under my wings that I support their dreams and mentor as well.

You are noted for your philanthropy. What is the philosophy behind this generous giving?

There is so much poverty in Africa and privileged individuals must be deliberate in helping the poor.

It is part of the core philosophy of my life and business.

We are not in business to make a profit alone. We believe in making an impact. We help individuals and communities as much as we can.

I can say I inherit the trait from my mother who was fond of meeting the needs of needy people around her while I was growing up.

I saw the joy and satisfaction on my mother’s face after supporting these people and I believe I unconsciously imbibe the principle of sharing from her.

Giving is one key success factor. I wish people realise that giving leads to abundance.

It has been a way of life for me and has seen its impact over the years.

When people come to me for help and I do it, I am always appreciative of the opportunity God has given me to be a blessing to others.

Giving comes with a sense of satisfaction and inner joy.

I see giving more as a divine mandate to pull people out of poverty through job creation and philanthropy.

Our company is also involved in this philanthropy and its key focus includes education, health and youth and women empowerment.

We provide support for public educational and health institutions.

We make donations to schools and hospitals.

We donated a 1,000 capacity lecture theatre to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

We donated a brand new bus to the medical students association of Obafemi Awolowo University.

We have a foundation with offices in Lagos, Zaria and Umuahia that provide support to the widows and the less privileged.

Many indigent students in their hundreds enjoy full scholarships from the foundation.

Women are trained in various skills and then given grants to start their businesses. The list is too long to recall.

How do you balance your busy business schedule and family?

I am so privileged to have an understanding wife and family who believe in my vision and support me fully in the journey.

When you run a business that is as diverse as SIFAX Group, you are bound to be busy and on the road most time.

I travel often both locally and internationally and this has a way it affects family time.

But as much as I can, I create time for them. I make sure the little time we have together is judiciously used.

We also go on vacation together to maintain our bond.

My wife is very supportive and she is my number one fan. By the way, she is a prayer warrior and you don’t need to be told that I feature prominently in her prayers.

She backs me up spiritually and takes good care of the home front so I could have the presence of mind to pursue my targets.

She has also done well when you look at the way our children have turned out so well.

She understands my schedule and gladly tolerates my absence.

But she knows that I don’t take her for granted. I respect and honour her.

I create time for her even in the midst of my busy schedule.

Advice for young entrepreneurs

For the young entrepreneurs, I would say first hold on to God, and be honest and patient.

What is not enough now will eventually become a surplus for you but there are processes you need to take.

There are some factors that help in the journey of entrepreneurship. One is vision. You must have an idea of what you want to do and the impact you want to make.

Two, hard work is very important. All successful people are hard workers. Laziness hinders greatness.

Three, solve a problem and success will naturally come. Money goes in the direction of value.

Four is persistence. You must develop the courage and resilience to keep going in the face of daunting challenges because the journey is full of different ups and downs.

Don’t give up easily. If you fall, rise, take a lesson and continue your hustling.

What is your biggest challenge as a businessman?

Risk. Business is a very risky venture. Even after doing all the due diligence, things can still go bad. It remains a big challenge but no gain no pain.

When you lose, you start all over again.

I have done a business in Europe where I lost about €4million within seven months and that hasn’t stopped me from starting again or investing in another one.

Business is a risk and for those who want to make it big, you must be able to calculate your risk well and make an informed decision.

But the ability and the power to overcome after a loss lies in you.

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Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the need to assent to the Nigerian Shipping and Ports Economic Regulatory Agency(NSPERA) bill

By Elder Asu Beks

Mr President,on behalf of the Maritime Elders Forum and entire maritime stakeholders, i respectfully send you season’s greetings.

There is no doubt, Mr President, that 2025 has been one of the most turbulent and challenging years in the history of our nation.

From the wave of insecurity ,which you have tackled squarely,to the far reaching economic reforms which has translated to the tax reform bills , are all pointers to the fact that you are taking the challenges head on.

Mr President , your modest achievements in the Oil and Gas sector are also there for all to see.

From the bold decision to abolish fuel subsidy to the increase in daily production levels to an average 1.8m bpd ,from about 1mbpd daily output as at May ,2023, and the complete disapperance of fuel queues, it is certain, Mr President, that you are building a legacy of renewed hope, unprecedented in the life of our nation.

We cannot thank you enough, Mr President.

For us in the maritime sector, the most profound of your score card remains the creation of a specialised Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The demand for a Ministry to oversee Nigeria’s vast maritime domain is as old as Nigeria’s Independence.

For us as critical stakeholders, this couldnt have come at a better time.

In just two years of the creation of this specialised Ministry, Nigerians are already reaping bountifully from this innovative move.

Only last month,Nigeria won an election into the elusive category ” C” of the International Maritime Organisation, (IMO).

This victory is coming after nine unsuccessful attempts, spanning 14 years.

With this victory , which couldn’t have been posible without your fatherly role,our fortunes as one of the greatest maritime nations in sub saharan Africa has been solidified.

Mr President, another milestone recorded under your watch ,since the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is the introduction of the game changing National Single Window platform which comes into effect in the first quarter of 2026.

The National Single Window is a trade facilitation tool designed to eliminate multiple entries by various regulatory bodies in business transactions in our seaports.

In other words, it is a digitalized platform that allows importers and exporters to submit all necessary documents, permits , and data to multiple government agencies through a single entry point.

Mr President, with these developments, you have etched your name as “the President who saw tomorrow” by demonstrating in concrete terms, the enormous potentials which this sector holds as your administration continues to look at a Nigeria beyond oil.

In this regard, Mr President ,we the Maritime Elders Forum urge you ,without delay to sign into law, the Nigerian Shipping and Port Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill .

The NPERA Bill aims to transform the Nigerian Shippers Council, (NSC) into a powerful, independent economic regulator for Nigeria’s Ports,creating a strong frame work for tariffs,fair competition and efficiency after port concession.

The Bill, a brain child of Dr Tajudeen Abass, Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, is aimed to fill the vacuum created by an absence of a regulatory agency in such a critical sector of our national economy ,as against other sectors such as banking, petroleum , energy and communication.

This critical Bill seeks to repeal the old Nigerian Shippers Council Act and empower the Council to manage port economic activities, boosting the Blue Economy.

Mr President, the laudable objectives of this Bill include;establishing an independent regulation to create a strong legally backed economic regulator for our ports; Control tariffs, charges and regulate port charges in such a manner as to prevent arbitrariness and ensure fairness; to promote fair competition by improving overall port operations and attract investment; Support the Blue Economy to align with our national goals for developing Nigeria’s Marine Economy.

Your Excellency Sir, this Bill was given an accelerated hearing ,and was passed by both chambers of the National Assembly on April 10, 2025 upon which it was forwarded to you for assent.

Mr President sir, the delay or your failure to assent to this Bill is coming at huge cost and has resulted in significant economic losses for Nigeria, primarily by perpetuating an unregulated and inefficient port system that has led to huge financial leakages that deter investment.

Mr President, sir, it is estimated that the nation is losing billions of dollars dailly to the absence of a strong legal frame work for port economic regulation.

We have on good authority, Mr President, that this obvious lack or absence of a regulated ports industry is also taking a huge toll on local and foreign investments as an estimated $250b is said to be lost annually, aside arbitrary charges by terminal operators and Shipping Lines .

In a nutshell, Mr President, the envisaged benefits of this brand new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has been eroded on account of the absence of a legal regulatory frame work.

As it stands, sir ,a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy without an Economic Regulator is akin to a football game without a referee.

it means anything goes and the out come of a game without an official umpire could be better imagined.

Mr President sir, consequently ,the time to sign the NPERA Bill is now.

Thank you Mr President for listening to this passionate appeal.

Let this be your new year present to Maritime Stakeholders.

ELDER ASU BEKS, CONVENER, MARITIME ELDERS FORUM, LAGOS

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Tantita intercepts stolen crude on escort of Delta Marine Police, arrests four suspects

Funso OLOJO

Tantita Security Services Limited, a pipeline surveillance operations company, has intercepted a tanker vessel, MT Thor, laden with suspected stolen crude oil.

The interception, which occurred on December 15th, 2025, around the Koko–Excravos axis of Delta State, happened while the vessel was allegedly being escorted by personnel of the Police Marine Unit, Delta State, who reportedly claimed they were acting on directives from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.

Four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident and are currently facing investigation for possible prosecution.

The arrest was announced during the handover of the suspects at Koko Port in Delta State by Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSNL), a firm engaged in pipeline surveillance operations.

Speaking at the handover of the vessel and the suspects at Koko Port, Delta state, the Executive Director of Operations at Tantita, Captain Warredi Enisouh, said the suspects were apprehended with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally sourced petroleum products aboard the vessel.

According to a situation report made available by the Special Prosecution Team (SPT) of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Product Theft, Tantita alerted the Head of Investigation of the SPT after intercepting MT Thor, which was allegedly laden with crude oil obtained through illicit means.

Preliminary investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed that the vessel, now classified as an exhibit in an ongoing criminal investigation, is linked to a jetty operated by Ebenco Global Services Limited.

Investigation officers disclosed that documents and correspondence connected to the jetty were obtained and are currently under review.

“The owner of the jetty, Mr. Ebenezer, was contacted by investigators and reportedly provided additional documents, including court orders, which are also being analysed as part of the investigation.

“On December 16, a joint investigation team led by the Head of Investigation of the SPT conducted a Joint Inspection Visit in Koko.

The team first met at Tantita’s corporate headquarters in Warri for a briefing, which was also attended by the jetty owner.

“During the inspection, investigators attempted to obtain samples from MT Thor but were unable to do so immediately as the vessel had not yet arrived at the jetty, having been towed from an earlier location by security operatives.

“While awaiting the vessel’s arrival, the team inspected other containers suspected to be carrying crude oil within the premises of Ebenco Global Links Limited, where samples were taken from a storage barge.

“MT Thor eventually berthed at about 8:30 p.m. on 16 December, prompting the joint team to adjourn sampling and other procedures until the following day.

As of 17 December 2025, investigators were reported to be en route to Koko to continue sample collection and complete investigation formalities,” the report read.

Receiving the suspects, the Head of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Omar Sini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to dismantle crude oil theft networks in the Niger Delta, assuring that all findings would be thoroughly examined and prosecuted in line with the law.

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Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.

In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.

“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.

“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.

He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.

While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.

” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”

The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.