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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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Customs shortlists 286,697 candidates from 573,523 applicants eyeing 3,927 vacancies.

– lists conditions for next stage of recruitment exercise

Funso OLOJO

As the race for the 3,927 slots in the Nigeria customs service gets hotter, the Service has shortlisted 286,697 candidates from the total number of 573,523 candidates who applied for the plum job in December, 2024.

In a press statement by the management of the service on the recruitment exercise, 286,697 candidates have been invited to proceed to the next phase of the exercise after a rigorous documentary scrutiny.

According to the Service, the second stage of the exercise is scheduled to take place from September 14th to 21st, 2025 and will be conducted through an online Computer-Based Test (CBT).

The method of examination is a reflection of the Service’s commitment to transparency, accessibility, and fairness in the selection process.

“Candidates shortlisted for the CBT are required to undertake the test at any location of their choice, provided there is reliable internet access.

“The exercise must, however, be conducted using a laptop or desktop computer equipped with a webcam and a full-screen display, as the application is not mobile phone-enabled.

“A facial verification process will be carried out during login; therefore, candidates are advised to maintain a neat appearance to avoid difficulties with recognition.

“The CBT application is sensitive to noise and body movement. Accordingly, candidates must remain fully focused throughout the test’s duration, as excessive movement, whispering, or background distractions may result in automatic logout by the system.

“In the same vein, candidates are advised to avoid switching between windows during the test, as such actions will be flagged as malpractice and may lead to disqualification.

“To further assist shortlisted applicants, the Service has made provisions for a mandatory pre-test exercise, which will be conducted two days before the actual CBT.

“This session will enable candidates to familiarise themselves with the application.

” In this regard, two separate links will be sent to all shortlisted applicants, one for the pre-test and another for the actual examination.

“Candidates who applied for the Superintendent Cadre (Level 8) should note that they will be invited for an additional CBT in the next phase of the recruitment exercise.

“This provision does not apply to the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres.

“The Nigeria Customs Service assures all stakeholders that the ongoing recruitment process remains strictly merit-driven and transparent.

“Successful candidates will be duly informed of subsequent phases of the exercise through the Service’s official communication channels, the details of which will be conveyed in due course.

“Applicants are strongly advised to adhere strictly to the issued guidelines and to rely solely on verified official platforms of the Service for authentic updates, as the NCS will neither request any form of payment nor conduct recruitment activities on social media platforms” the statement concluded.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to inform the general public on the progress of its ongoing recruitment exercise, which commenced with an official advertisement published in national newspapers on Friday, 27th December 2024.

In line with its statutory mandate to strengthen manpower capacity and enhance service delivery, a total of 3,927 vacancies were declared across the Superintendent, Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.

The Service received a total of 573,523 applications during the first phase of the exercise.

Customs

Comptroller Oshoba hits the ground running with record of N20 billion revenue collection in single day

Gloria Odion

The new Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has served a strong message about his intention to beat the record of his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller- General of Customs, Babatunde Olomu as he has a collection of N20 billion in a single day.

The new Controller made this feat barely 24 hours after he assumed office on Monday, September 8th, 2025.

The latest record-breaking collection now stands as the highest daily revenue of any command in the Nigeria Customs Service, using the Unified Customs Management System, also known as B’Odogwu

This record has not only broken the existing ₦18b achieved by the command but has also confirmed the new CAC’s resolve to meet and surpass the revenue target set for the command as stated in his maiden address on Monday

Shortly after taking over, Comptroller Oshoba met with senior officers of the command where he commended them for the great feats achieved in the past with a directive urging them to increase their tempo of productivity.

He reminded them that outstanding results are the real proof of hard work, dedication and uncompromising disposition to duty and that he believes they could do better than they did before his arrival.

On the recent ₦20.1b collection in a day, Comptroller Oshoba said it’s only the beginning of greater exploits and it’s not time for celebration because he foresees greater achievements for the flagship command of NCS under his leadership

He described B’Odogwu as a necessity in the build-up to a more modern and efficient customs administration in Nigeria with potential to strengthen the country’s position as Africa’s largest economy noted for trade facilitation.

“I commend my team and stakeholders for this great milestone of ₦20.1b collection in one day just 24 hours after I resumed here.

” It’s not the time to clap yet because clapping means removing your two hands from work to celebrate.

“Let’s leave the celebration and applause for days ahead when we shall have future achievements of surpassing targets, curbing any attempted smuggling or concealment and treating trade with productive speed without compromising our integrity.

“I believe in action, which speaks louder than words

“We are all part of history as our collective efforts are resonating positively on the Nigerian economy.

” I urge my officers to keep the great work going and for the stakeholders, they should stay on the path of compliance ” Comptroller Oshoba said.

Headlines

Resurgence of boat mishaps unsettles NIWA as Oyebamiji unfolds new measures to tackle waterways accidents

Gloria Odion

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has unfolded though measures aimed at curbing the resurgence of boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways.

The resurgence of waterways accidents, especially the fatality recently recorded in boat mishap in Niger State, has made NIWA to tighten safety measures on the waterways.

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 in Abuja, the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, announced immediate ban on all loading activities from unauthorised points across the country, insisting that only recognised and registered jetties may be used.

He also mandated all commercial operators to provide lifejackets for passengers, while every boat must clearly display its name and load line.

Oyebamiji gave a directive that all unlicensed boats and watercraft be removed from the waterways, while unlicensed drivers and operators are prohibited from carrying out any operations.

The Authority also called on riverine states to partner with NIWA in safety campaigns, training of operators, procurement and distribution of lifejackets, provision of landing platforms and deployment of modern ferries.

Oyebamiji reiterated his call for the establishment of Coast guards for inland waterways, describing it as an essential enforcement tool that would significantly strengthen NIWA’s safety drive.

The NIWA boss thereafter launched into past measures taken by the Authority to reduce boat mishaps on the waterways.

He noted that since the appointment of the current management in October 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NIWA has implemented a number of far-reaching reforms and initiatives aimed at reducing accidents on the waterways.

He recalled that within the first six months of the administration, the long-awaited Water Transportation Code was gazetted and launched to regulate operators, passengers, and users of the waterways.

Within the same period, Oyebamiji further disclosed,the Authority also inaugurated 15 new operational assets, including patrol boats, water ambulances, survey boats and passenger ferries, while also commissioning new facilities such as the NIWA Clinic and administrative building at its headquarters in Lokoja to improve efficiency.

To enforce compliance, he recalled that the Authority deployed Water Marshals, which have now increased from 80 personnel at inception to 350 across the country.

“Passenger safety has been enhanced through the introduction of a manifest system at recognised jetties to improve record-keeping, while Water Marshals also ensure that the “No Lifejacket, No Boarding” regulation is strictly enforced.

“In addition, the reactivation of Search and Rescue Stations has reduced NIWA’s emergency response time to less than 30 minutes.

“The Authority has also taken its safety awareness campaigns directly to loading points and jetties, reaching more than 300 communities in 2025 alone.

“These grassroots engagements are complemented by periodic campaigns in local languages on radio, television, newspapers and digital platforms.

On the technical side, Mr. Oyebamiji explained that NIWA has intensified channel maintenance for safer navigation.

Marine navigational buoys have been installed on the Lower and Upper Niger, while hydrographic surveys and profiling have been completed from Warri to Baro Port, covering 624 kilometres.

He said the Authority has continued to remove aquatic waste, logs and wrecks from waterways to further enhance navigability, while collaboration with sub national governments has also been strengthened.

He also recalled that in October 2024, NIWA convened a stakeholders’ meeting with state transportation commissioners and other maritime stakeholders in Abuja to deliberate on measures to eliminate boat accidents.

“That meeting produced a communique outlining responsibilities for both federal and state governments.

According to the Managing Director, some states have already started acting on these commitments by providing ferries and lifejackets to their citizens, with Niger State standing out as a prime example.

Mr. Oyebamiji commended the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his unwavering support.

“In the last four months alone, the Ministry has helped NIWA distribute over 45,000 standard lifejackets across twelve states, while also leading state-level safety campaigns in Niger and Bayelsa.

Looking ahead, NIWA intends to deepen collaboration with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy, especially in enforcing the ban on overloading, night sailing between 6 pm and 6 am, and compulsory use of lifejackets.

Oyebamiji disclosed that NIWA’s initiatives have already reduced accidents and deaths on the waterways by more than 70 percent compared to previous years, but stressed that more can still be done.

He described the safety of Nigerians on the waterways as a national duty requiring the collective efforts of all stakeholders.

“Based on the innovations and renewed commitment to our mandates, we have reduced waterway accidents and deaths by more than 70 percent.

“But we must do more. Establishing Coastal Guards and deepening collaboration with states and security agencies will help us achieve an accident-free waterway system,” he said.