Tajudeen Owoyemi’s story begins in the quiet town of Offa in Kwara State, where a young boy spent his childhood hawking food for his grandmother, carrying sand by the riverbank, and assisting bricklayers just to support the home. Born on April 16, 1956, he grew up without the comfort of wealth or the advantage of privilege. His parents had moved to Ghana shortly after his birth, so the responsibility of raising him fell on his grandmother. From her he learned the value of work, dignity and patience, lessons that would shape the extraordinary journey ahead.
As a teenager, he understood early that his future would depend on his willingness to learn and his determination to rise. After completing secondary school, he left Offa for Kaduna, not in search of a miracle, but in search of a skill. There, he began a four-year apprenticeship as a plumber. It was tough, physical work, days filled with pipes, fittings, and long hours but Tajudeen embraced it fully, seeing in it the foundation of his independence.
Yet deep inside, he nurtured a bigger dream. Every evening, after tiring hours of manual labour, he would clean up and head to Kaduna Polytechnic to attend night classes in Civil Engineering. For three years he balanced plumbing in the day and academics at night until he finally earned his National Diploma. These long nights and early mornings honed his discipline and broadened his technical knowledge, silently preparing him for the empire he would one day build.
In 1978, with courage that far exceeded his resources, he established his first company—Tajudeen Owoyemi & Co. Ltd (TOCL). He started small, handling modest plumbing and construction jobs, but his reputation for honesty, reliability and quality workmanship spread quickly. Soon TOCL began executing contracts for major government agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority, NIMASA, FAAN, and various state and federal institutions. What began as a plumber’s toolbox gradually evolved into a full-fledged engineering company trusted to handle complex national projects.
But Tajudeen was not a man who stopped growing. After more than two decades mastering the world of construction, he envisioned a more stable and lasting legacy. He wanted to build something that would not rise and fall with government cycles, something that would outlive him, employ thousands, and stand as a symbol of excellence. This dream led him to the hospitality sector.
In 2003, he founded Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Ltd, marking a bold entry into an industry dominated by foreign investors. His transition was strategic, visionary and daring. Through Avalon, he developed and partnered with globally respected hotel brands such as Protea Hotels, Park Inn by Radisson, and ultimately the prestigious Radisson Blu. The iconic Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja GRA, one of Lagos’ finest luxury hotels, stands today as a testament to the mind that once studied engineering by lamplight and repaired pipes for a living. It is proof that no beginning is too humble to lead to greatness.
Despite his remarkable rise, Tajudeen has never forgotten his roots. Offa recognized his contributions with the titles of Bashorun of Offa in 2005 and later Asiwaju of Offa, honours reserved for community pillars and transformative leaders. Through philanthropy, empowerment programs, and youth initiatives, he continues to give back to the place where his journey began.
Those who know him often speak of his humility. He is a man who avoids unnecessary publicity, preferring to let his work and the thousands of lives touched by itspeak for him. His philosophy is simple yet profound: invest only in what you understand, build on your strengths, and stay true to your values.
Today, Tajudeen Owoyemi stands not just as a successful engineer or hotel owner, but as a symbol of what is possible when discipline meets vision and perseverance meets opportunity. His life is a powerful reminder that greatness does not require privilege, only purpose. That a child who once hawked food can one day build a luxury hotel empire. And that the story of success is written not in sudden miracles, but in years of steady, determined steps.
This is the legacy of Tajudeen Owoyemi, a testament to his hard work, 0l0ll helloresilience, reinvention and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.
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