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12 Things You Didn’t Know About Nigerian Millionaire Tunde Folawiyo

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Nigerian Millionaire Tunde Folawiyo

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Nigerian businessman Babatunde Tijani Folawiyo, also known as Tunde Folawiyo, is managing director of the Yinka Folawiyo Group, which has interests in energy, agriculture, shipping, real estate and engineering. At 55, Folawiyo has a net worth of $650 million and is the 39th richest person in Africa. Here are 12 things you didn’t know about Tunde Folawiyo.

Source: Forbes.com 

Geograph.org.uk
Geograph.org.uk

 

Education

Folawiyo attended grade school in Lagos Nigeria and went on to receive his Bachelors of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1980 and his Bachelors of Law from University College London in 1984. In 1985 he earned his Master’s in Law degree, also at the University College London.

Source: Nationalmirroronline.net

Thinkstock
Thinkstock

He practiced law briefly

In 1985 Folawiyo began practicing law in Nigeria of the Ogunsanya firm but resigned from law by 1989.

Source: Nationalmirroronline.net 

TundeFolawiyo.ng
TundeFolawiyo.ng

He took over the family business

Folawiyo’s father Yinka Folawiyo died in 2008, at which point he took over the business. Yinka Folawiyo was, according to Highbeam.com, “…one of the icons of Nigerian industry and a pillar of Islam.”

Source: Highbeam.com

Flickr.com
Flickr.com

 

He is an art collector

Folawiyo is an art collector and a patron of William Kentridge—a South African artist who is known for impressionist drawings, prints and animated films. Kentridge’s parents were lawyers who defended victims of apartheid. The artist’s work often reflects social injustice in South African history and it’s among it may be among most expensive and sought-after in South Africa.

Source: Tundefolawiyo.wordpress.com, Wiki

Tundefolawiyo.co.uk
Tundefolawiyo.co.uk

 

He supports young creatives and business people

Folawiyo is a fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh World Fellowship program, a network of philanthropic individuals looking to support the development of young people. The fellowship meets at high-profile events around the world, including the World Fellowship Anniversary Dinner usually held at a London palace.

Source: Intaward.org 

Africanleadershipacademy.org
Africanleadershipacademy.org

He’s on several boards and committees

An advocate for educational development, Folawiyo is a member of governing councils at Crescent University and Lagos State University in Nigeria. Folawiyo is also a member of the global advisory board of the African Leadership Academy, a pan-African institute dedicated to economic growth, political stability, and eradication of poverty and disease in Africa.

Source: Tundefolawiyonigeria.com 

Dawn.com
Dawn.com

 

He made major contributions to the energy sector

Folawiyo founded Folawiyo Energy Limited in 1989, which would go on to built a storage facility in 2004 that can hold 30 percent of the country’s motor fuel. This accomplishment landed Folawiyo the position of vice president of the Nigeria Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers and Productions in 1996.

Source: Nationalmirroronline.net

Freetalkafrica.blogspot.com
Freetalkafrica.blogspot.com

 

Honors

In 2010 Folawiyo was honored with the African Business Leadership Award. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration from Crescent University in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Source: About.me

Jnaija.com
Jnaija.com

He’s had some drama

In 2013, rumors emerged that Folawiyo was having an affair with married former beauty queen Ifeoma Williams. Allegedly it was Folawiyo’s wife, Renie Folawiyo, who suspected the affair and talked about it after finding messages on the billionaire’s phone.

Source: Paparazzipress.com

prison051707

He’s had reporters arrested

Folawiyo had the publisher and editor of Global Excellence Magazine arrested in 2013 for publishing a story on an alleged affair. Publisher Segun Ogunbunmi spent four days in prison, and was “…promised hell in court and many days in the dumps” if he didn’t send a letter of apology to Folawiyo. Kunle Rasheed, editor of Global Excellence Magazine, sued Folawiyo for “malicious damages.”

Source: Paparazzipress.com

Africaranking.com
Africaranking.com

His parents had a scandal

Folawiyo’s father, Yinka Folawiyo, was involved in a similar scandal 20 years earlier. Climax magazine published a story about Yinka having an affair with Abah Adesanya. Yinka sued the magazine. When Yinka later married Adesanya, the magazine’s story was proved correct and the magazine sued Yinka.

Source: Paparazzipress.com

Youtube.com
Youtube.com

 

He has a YouTube page

Tunde Folawiyo has a YouTube page on which he posts videos about things he is passionate about, including the conservation of the African lion and some segments from African sports games.

Source: Youtube.com