Habeeb Okunola

Iba Habeeb Okunola OFR, MON, FICA (born (1981-08-02)2 August 1981) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of TILT Group, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Nigeria with diversified investments spanning key business sectors of the African economy, including energy, construction, engineering, agriculture, and technology.[1][2]

Iba Habeeb Okunola

OFR, MON
Born
Habeeb Olalekan Okunola

(1981-08-02) 2 August 1981
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
EducationCommunity Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos
Alma materUniversity of Lagos, Nigeria
OccupationEntrepreneur
TitleChief Executive Officer, TILT Group of Companies
Websitewww.tiltgroup.com.ng

Education and early life

He attended Santa Maria School in Lagos state for his primary education and had his secondary education at Community Grammar School, in Surulere, Lagos.[2] Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Lagos where he bagged a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in Philosophy in 2006.[3] Over the past decade, he has attended executive education programmes at Harvard Business School and London Business School[4][5]

Career

He travelled to the United Kingdom in 2007 after completing his first degree. While in the United Kingdom, he worked with Grovetex Consulting as a Business Development Officer, rising through the ranks.[4] Afterwards, he returned to Nigeria to set up his first company, Habtob Global Ventures in 2009.[6] He continued to make progress with his entrepreneurial strides and went on to set up TILT Construction, the flagship of TILT Group in 2012.[6][7]

Since then, he has led the rapid growth of the Group’s flagship and its other subsidiaries to become renowned private and public sector contractors with several successful and ongoing projects in different parts of the world.[8][9] TILT Group has partnered with public and private sector organisations to deliver monumental and critical assets, including the construction of 330 KVA transmission lines, the renovation and remodelling of Kaduna State House of Assembly, construction of state-of-the-art visual arts centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, remediation of the hydrocarbon-impacted sites in Ogoniland, aDaregst other Dareumental turnkey projects.[10][11][12]

He sits on the board of diverse blue-chip companies and startups.[13]

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.[14][15][16]

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.[17][18][19]

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

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.[20][21][22]

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.[23][24]

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.[25]

Recognition and awards

With numerous recognition and awards tied to his name, Iba 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,[26][27][3][28] and also the Aare Tayese of Iseyinland.[29] His notable awards and recognition include the following

  • Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR [25]
  • Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR [22]
  • National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse [30]
  • Award for Excellence and Business Innovation at the 6th Annual Nigeria Entrepreneurs Award[31]
  • Omoluabi award for “Integrity in Conduct [32]
  • ECOWAS Youth Council’s Distinguished African personality [33]
  • Excellence in Business Leadership and Community Development [1]

References
  1. "Tilt Group Boss bags 'The First Integrity in Conduct" award". Vanguard News. 2019-08-05. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  2. "The Amazing Lifestyle of Habeeb Okunola at 40 – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  3. "Alaffin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III confers Akosin of Yorubaland on Habeeb Okunola – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  4. Admin, Checkout Magazine. "HABEEB OKUNOLA HONOURED WITH GLOBAL ICONIC AWARD FOR HUMANITY & ENTERPRISE IN LONDON | Checkout Magazine". Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  5. "Alaafin confers Akosin of Yorubaland on Okunola". TheCable. 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  6. Durojaiye, Bode (2022-04-07). "Okunola, Akosin of Yorubaland: A quintessential personality, an uncommon achiever". Freedom Online. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  7. Okogba, Emmanuel (2020-05-28). "NAF commissions additional blocks of residential accommodation for officers in Lagos". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  8. "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 Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  9. Ukwu, Jerrywright (2020-12-25). "Buhari's govt interventions will bring relief to Nigeria, says APC senator". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  10. Nwafor (2020-12-24). "FG commissions flood control, road upgrade project In Taraba". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  11. "NAF Commissions Flats for Married Officers in Lagos – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  12. "FG Commissions Flood Control, Road Upgrade Project in Taraba – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  13. "Chairman TILT Group, Habeeb Okunola Celebrates Birthday in Classic Fashion". Smile International Magazine. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  14. "TILT Boss, Habeeb Okunola Celebrates God's Goodness, Empowers the Needy". TheBoss Newspaper. 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  15. THEWILL_. "NGO Commemorates World Hepatitis Day With Free Medical Screening And Treatment For 2000 People | THEWILL". Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  16. Ukwu, Jerrywright (2018-07-30). "2,000 Lagos residents benefit from diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  17. Ogunyinka, Victor (2022-01-07). "Habeeb Okunola Foundation flags off tertiary scholarship scheme for 500 students". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  18. THEWILL_ (2018-07-29). "NGO Commemorates World Hepatitis Day With Free Medical Screening And Treatment For 2000 People". Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  19. NEWS, NNN (2019-02-14). "NGO restates commitment to assisting prisoners with skills acquisition tools". NNN. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  20. "Akeredolu, Ishaku, Adebutu, Bayero, Atuwatse, Olanipekun, others get national honours". Punch Newspapers. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  21. "Video: Buhari Confers National Honours on Nominees -". The NEWS. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  22. Durojaiye, Bode (2022-10-10). "Habeeb Okunola, Akosin of Yorubaland, and 'MON well deserved'". Freedom Online. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  23. Adeyemi, Segun (2022-10-13). "Buhari to confer 2022 national honour on 5 foreigners, gateman, cleaner, others". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  24. "Buhari: Citizens Who Contribute to National Devt Deserve to Be Appreciated". This Day. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  25. "FULL LIST: Emeka Anyaoku, Emefiele, Terry Waya among national honours recipients". TheCable. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  26. "Alaafin honours businessman". Punch Newspapers. 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  27. Kehinde, Opeyemi (2020-01-12). "Alaafin of Oyo to confer 'Akosin of Yorubaland' chieftancy title on Habeeb Okunola". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  28. Fagbule, Kehinde; THEWILL (2021-07-20). "Behind The Scene: Habeeb Okunola's Installation as Akosin of Yorubaland". Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  29. Azeez, Semiu (2022-08-02). "Aare Tayese is a blessing to his generation - NUJ Boss". National Point Blank. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  30. "NDLEA intensifies war against drug abuse, appoints ambassador". Punch Newspapers. 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  31. "Governor Sanwo-Olu, Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Covenant University, Others Honoured At 6th Annual Nigeria Entrepreneur Award". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-10-17.
  32. Nwafor (2019-08-05). "Tilt Group Boss bags 'The First Integrity in Conduct" award". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  33. Nwafor (2019-11-14). "Habeeb Okunola decorated Ecowas Youth Council's Distinguished African personality". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
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