Tunji Olowolafe’s Unwavering Belief in Education

There is an enduring saying that true wealth is measured not by the size of one’s fortune but by the number of lives transformed through it. If that maxim holds true, then Dr. Olatunji Olowolafe has long secured his place among Nigeria’s most purposeful billionaires. Endowed with immense wealth, an expansive heart and an abiding passion for humanity, the urbane businessman has consistently demonstrated that philanthropy is far more than an occasional act of charity; it is a lifelong commitment.

As Chairman of Deux Projects Limited, Olowolafe occupies an enviable position within Nigeria’s corporate elite. His influence cuts across the country’s political and economic landscape, yet he remains one of those rare billionaires who deliberately shun the spotlight. His name hardly trends on social media or dominates newspaper headlines—except when another remarkable act of generosity reminds Nigerians that quiet philanthropy often leaves the deepest footprints.

Those familiar with his journey say philanthropy is not an obligation for the Are Ekiti-born magnate but a way of life. Guided by the belief that education remains the most powerful instrument for social mobility, he has, over the years, sponsored the education of numerous young Nigerians, many of whom have gone on to distinguish themselves across diverse professions.

His unwavering commitment to learning has not gone unnoticed. In January 2024, he was appointed Chancellor of Ekiti State University, a recognition that acknowledged not only his business accomplishments but also his enduring investment in human capital. Since then, he has deployed his influence and network to attract goodwill and strategic support for the institution.

That passion has found even greater expression in his role as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of MIVA Open University. At the institution’s maiden convocation in Lagos, his investiture underscored a growing legacy built on expanding access to quality education through innovation and technology.

Earlier this year, Olowolafe deepened that commitment with the launch of the N1 billion Gbemisola Olowolafe Scholarship Fund, a five-year initiative set to support more than 1,000 MIVA students. It is yet another chapter in a remarkable journey that proves his greatest investment has never been in industries alone, but in people.