Habeeb Okunola

Last updated
Habeeb Okunola
OFR , MON
Habeeb Olalekan Okunola.jpg
Born (1981-08-02) 2 August 1981 (age 44)
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Alma mater University of Lagos, Nigeria
Occupation Entrepreneur
TitlePresident, CINI Holdings
Website cini-holdings.com

Habeeb Okunola OFR MON FICA (born 2 August 1981), is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He serves as the President of CINI Holdings, a multinational conglomerate based in Nigeria with diversified interests across several sectors of the African economy including; energy, construction, engineering, agriculture, and technology. [1] [2]

Contents

Education and early life

Okunola completed his primary and secondary education in Lagos before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos in 2006. [2] He later attended executive education programs at Harvard Business School and London Business School. [3] [ failed verification ] In February 2025, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Statistics and Financial Management for his contributions to business development in Africa. [4] [ failed verification ]

Career

In 2007, Okunola moved to the United Kingdom, where he worked as a Business Development Officer at Grovetex Consulting. [3] He returned to Nigeria in 2009 to establish his first company, Habtob Global Ventures, and later founded TILT Construction in 2012, the flagship of TILT Group. [5] Under his leadership, the group has expanded its operations, executing major infrastructure projects across sectors and regions, including power transmission, legislative buildings, and environmental remediation. [6] [7] [8] He also serves on the boards of several established companies and startups. [9]

Philanthropy

Iba Habeeb Okunola has remained committed to the pursuit of the greatest good for the greatest number, towards achieving the future we want, and a society for all, through the vehicle of his non-profit organisation - Habeeb Okunola Foundation, an organisation established to consolidate the efforts of government in achieving social justice across Africa. [10] [11] [12]

Habeeb Okunola Foundation has impacted the lives of no fewer than twenty thousand underserved Nigerians, with a deliberate focus on consolidating the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria. [13] [14] [15]

National honour

Iba Habeeb Okunola OFR receiving the insignia of his MON national Honour from President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR Iba Habeeb Okunola MON.jpg
Iba Habeeb Okunola OFR receiving the insignia of his MON national Honour from President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR

In 2022, High Chief Okunola was conferred Nigeria's national honour - Member of the Order of the Niger by President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his diligence to service, commitment and impactful contributions towards consolidating socioeconomic development in Nigeria and for Nigerians. [16] [17] [18]

He was bestowed alongside 437 Nigerians from various walks of life; who received national honours. They include Amina J. Mohammed, Ahmad Lawan, Wole Olanipekun, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Teni (singer), K1 De Ultimate, the late Ameyo Adadevoh (who sacrificed her life to save Nigeria from experiencing the viral spread of Ebola virus), and other eminent personalities. [19] [20]

In 2023 he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) for his continued outstanding service and his continued commitment to serving Nigeria with utmost excellence. [21]

Recognition and awards

With numerous recognition and awards tied to his name, Akosin Habeeb Okunola is more decorated than a 'Christmas Tree'. His entrepreneurial accomplishments and commitment to fostering sustainable development are not only assured, but globally recognised by Forbes, Fortune, United Nations, etc.

Apart from being a recipient of numerous honours, He is a first-class High Chief in Nigeria. He is the Akosin of Yorubaland, [22] [23] [24] [25] and also the Aare Tayese of Iseyinland. [26] His notable awards and recognition include the following:

References

  1. 1 2 "Tilt Group Boss bags 'The First Integrity in Conduct" award". Vanguard . 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  2. 1 2 "The Amazing Lifestyle of Habeeb Okunola at 40". This Day . Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  3. 1 2 "Habeeb Okunola Honoured With Global Iconic Award for Humanity & Enterprise in London". Checkout Magazine. 14 November 2019.
  4. ↑ Okunbor, Kelvin Osa (2025-02-14). "City University of Paris confers doctorate degree on Nigerian business leader". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  5. ↑ Durojaiye, Bode (2022-04-07). "Okunola, Akosin of Yorubaland: A quintessential personality, an uncommon achiever". Freedom Online. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  6. ↑ "The Guardian's special focus on Most Impactful and Award-winning CEOs that contributed to Nigeria's GDP growth in 2021 Part 2". The Guardian . 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  7. ↑ Ukwu, Jerrywright (2020-12-25). "Buhari's govt interventions will bring relief to Nigeria, says APC senator". Legit.ng . Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  8. ↑ Nwafor (2020-12-24). "FG commissions flood control, road upgrade project In Taraba". Vanguard. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  9. ↑ "Chairman TILT Group, Habeeb Okunola Celebrates Birthday in Classic Fashion". Smile International Magazine. 2018-08-06.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ "TILT Boss, Habeeb Okunola Celebrates God's Goodness, Empowers the Needy". The Boss. 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  11. ↑ "NGO Commemorates World Hepatitis Day With Free Medical Screening And Treatment For 2000 People". The Will . 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  12. ↑ Ukwu, Jerrywright (2018-07-30). "2,000 Lagos residents benefit from diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  13. ↑ Ogunyinka, Victor (2022-01-07). "Habeeb Okunola Foundation flags off tertiary scholarship scheme for 500 students". Vanguard. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  14. ↑ "NGO Commemorates World Hepatitis Day With Free Medical Screening And Treatment For 2000 People". 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  15. ↑ "NGO restates commitment to assisting prisoners with skills acquisition tools". NNN. 2019-02-14. Archived from the original on 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  16. ↑ "Akeredolu, Ishaku, Adebutu, Bayero, Atuwatse, Olanipekun, others get national honours". The Punch . 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  17. ↑ "Video: Buhari Confers National Honours on Nominees". The NEWS. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  18. 1 2 Durojaiye, Bode (2022-10-10). "Habeeb Okunola, Akosin of Yorubaland, and 'MON well deserved'". Freedom Online. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  19. ↑ Adeyemi, Segun (2022-10-13). "Buhari to confer 2022 national honour on 5 foreigners, gateman, cleaner, others". Legit.ng . Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  20. ↑ "Buhari: Citizens Who Contribute to National Devt Deserve to Be Appreciated". This Day . Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  21. 1 2 Aduloju, Bunmi (2023-05-28). "FULL LIST: Emeka Anyaoku, Emefiele, Terry Waya among national honours recipients". TheCable. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  22. ↑ "Alaafin honours businessman". The Punch. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  23. ↑ Kehinde, Opeyemi (2020-01-12). "Alaafin of Oyo to confer 'Akosin of Yorubaland' chieftaincy title on Habeeb Okunola". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  24. ↑ "Alaffin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III confers Akosin of Yorubaland on Habeeb Okunola". This Day. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  25. ↑ Fagbule, Kehinde (2021-07-20). "Behind The Scene: Habeeb Okunola's Installation as Akosin of Yorubaland" . Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  26. ↑ Azeez, Semiu (2022-08-02). "Aare Tayese is a blessing to his generation - NUJ Boss". National Point Blank. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  27. ↑ Adeoye, Gboyega (2025-07-28). "Okunola's journey to emergence as Lagos man of the year 2025". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  28. ↑ Reporter, Samuel Oamen | Senior (2025-07-29). "Habeeb Okunola named Lagos Man of the Year 2025". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  29. ↑ "NDLEA intensifies war against drug abuse, appoints ambassador". The Punch. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  30. ↑ Okoye, Rita (2023-12-05). "Okunola shines at the Forbes Best of Africa Award ceremony" . Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  31. ↑ "Okunola bags Euro Knowledge Leadership Award". The Guardian. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  32. ↑ "Governor Sanwo-Olu, Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Covenant University, Others Honoured At 6th Annual Nigeria Entrepreneur Award". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
  33. ↑ "Tilt Group Boss bags 'The First Integrity in Conduct" award". Vanguard. 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  34. ↑ "Habeeb Okunola decorated Ecowas Youth Council's Distinguished African personality". Vanguard. 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.