ABOUT TAOPHEEK
Taopheek Babayeju is an entrepreneur, author, and seasoned transformation strategist with over 25 years of experience, committed to building leaders, strengthening institutions, and creating enduring societal impact.
ABOUT TAOPHEEK
Taopheek Babayeju is an entrepreneur, author, and transformation leader whose work sits at the intersection of leadership, institution-building, and societal advancement. For over two decades, he has been driven by a singular mission: to unlock possibilities – empowering leaders, strengthening institutions, and building platforms that enable sustainable transformation and impact.
Across business, public sector, and development ecosystems, Taopheek has helped organizations evolve beyond traditional models of growth by aligning leadership vision with disciplined execution. His work reflects a deep understanding that true transformation is not only about innovation or strategy, but about building resilient systems, cultivating capable people, and creating structures that endure beyond individuals.
As the CEO of iCentra, Founder of The TAB Foundation, and Group CEO of CellBourn Holdings, he operates at the convergence of enterprise transformation and societal impact; bridging entrepreneurship, governance, technology, and human development to shape a future where institutions thrive and possibilities expand.
Beyond professional achievement, Taopheek’s journey is rooted in service and legacy. Through initiatives such as LeadPreneur, W40, and the TAB Foundation, he continues to build ecosystems that equip emerging leaders and entrepreneurs to drive meaningful change within their communities and across Africa and beyond.
His story is not simply about success — it is about building platforms that enable others to thrive, achieve, and leave a lasting legacy.
Entrepreneur, Transformation Strategist, Technology & Project Leader.
PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year (2024) | Author | Keynote Speaker
CEO, iCentra | GCEO, Cellbourn Holdings | Founder, The TAB Foundation
Entrepreneur | Transformation Leader | Institution Builder
Author | Keynote Speaker |PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year (2024)
Founder, The TAB Foundation|CEO, iCentra | GCEO, CellBourn Holdings
Early Life and Entrepreneurship
Born on July 4, 1978, into the Babayeju family in Ebute Meta, Lagos Mainland, Taopheek’s journey began with an innate curiosity and a passion for knowledge and culture. His early education was at Christ’s School in what is now Ekiti State.
Taopheek’s entrepreneurial spirit was shaped by his father’s business acumen and his mother’s trading activities. During his secondary school years, he identified opportunities to meet the accessory needs of his peers, buying and reselling items from Yaba Market. He also doubled as a barber using a comb and blade and served as the school DJ at social events, showcasing his resourcefulness.
After secondary school, Taopheek gained his first work experience at National Oil (now ConOil), further sharpening his professional instincts. While pursuing a Physics (Electronics) degree at Lagos State University, he worked at his father’s company on Broad Street, Lagos, gaining valuable exposure to entrepreneurship and business operations.
In 2000, during his mandatory youth service with the defunct Mtel, he was recognized for his problem-solving skills and assigned to the Managing Director’s office as a technical assistant. There, he played a crucial role in programming and authenticating mobile handsets for analog cellular lines, catering to VIP clients.
Following his youth service, Taopheek began his professional career with Sony Ericsson as a service center engineer, later joining Sagem on the National ID Card project. In 2003, he co-founded an ICT company with a friend, though the venture folded within a year. Undeterred, in 2004, he founded ICTech and later established The Phone Clinic, a mobile device service center that marked his first entrepreneurial success.
In 2005, Taopheek completed a specialized course in telecommunications network and infrastructure engineering at the United Kingdom Telecommunications Academy (UKTA). Armed with this expertise, he joined Mtel as a Project Manager, a role he left in 2009 to establish iCentra, embarking on a transformative journey of leadership, innovation, and impact.
Professional Journey
With over two decades of diverse professional experience, Taopheek has led high-impact transformation projects and managed multi-million-dollar portfolios across industries, including IT, Telecoms, Finance, Agriculture, Health, Education, Government, SMEs, and Development.
As an executive advisor, he has helped organizations achieve strategic goals, specializing in strategy, digital and agile transformation, PMO delivery, project/program/portfolio management, technology consulting, information security, change management, risk management, and learning and development.
As the CEO of iCentra, a company he founded in 2009, Taopheek has expanded its footprint to Texas (United States), London (United Kingdom), and Abuja (Nigeria), delivering business and technology solutions globally.
Taopheek holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and IESE Business School. His foundational education includes a Physics degree from Lagos State University and advanced training in telecommunications engineering at UKTA.
He is a published author, Forbes contributor, and BusinessDay columnist. Beyond his professional work, he serves on multiple boards, contributing his expertise to drive positive societal change.
Social Impact and Recognition
Beyond enterprise transformation, Taopheek Babayeju is deeply committed to advancing leadership, strengthening human capacity, and creating platforms that drive sustainable societal impact.
Through initiatives such as The TAB Foundation, LeadPreneur, and W40, he has built ecosystems focused on empowering emerging leaders, developing entrepreneurial capability, and advancing inclusive leadership across Africa and beyond. These platforms reflect his belief that true transformation happens when individuals are equipped to lead, institutions are strengthened, and communities are empowered to thrive.
In 2009, he pioneered Nigeria’s first-ever National Project Management Conference (ProMaCon), a landmark initiative that contributed to the institutionalization of modern project management practices in Nigeria and across Africa. His decade-long leadership of this movement helped shape a generation of project professionals and strengthened the adoption of structured execution frameworks across industries.
Taopheek’s contributions to leadership and professional development have received global recognition. He was honored with the PMI Nigeria Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management (2010) and later received the prestigious PMI Global Eric Jenett Person of the Year Award (2024) — recognizing his leadership, innovation, and sustained impact on advancing the profession worldwide.
Through his work across business, social initiatives, and institutional development, Taopheek continues to inspire excellence and empower individuals and organizations to unlock possibilities and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Transformation becomes sustainable when people, systems, and ideas align. Taopheek’s work spans leadership, institutional transformation, and ecosystem development — creating platforms that enable sustainable progress.
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Empowering Leaders
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Building Institutions
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Impacting Society
Leadership is the foundation of lasting transformation.
Taopheek works with executives, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs to cultivate strategic thinking, purpose-driven leadership, and the capacity to navigate complexity. Through keynote engagements, executive conversations, and leadership initiatives, he equips leaders with the mindset and tools required to build resilient organizations and create meaningful impact.
His approach blends real-world experience, leadership philosophy, and practical frameworks designed to unlock possibilities and inspire responsible leadership.
Strong institutions create sustainable progress.
With over two decades of cross-sector experience, Taopheek partners with governments, enterprises, and organizations to strengthen governance, align strategy with execution, and design systems that enable transformation at scale.
His work focuses on institutional alignment, technology-enabled transformation, innovation strategy, and performance-driven frameworks; helping organizations evolve into resilient, high-performing institutions capable of delivering lasting value.
Transformation must extend beyond organizations to society.
Guided by a deep commitment to service and legacy, Taopheek supports initiatives that develop human capital, empower communities, and promote sustainable societal advancement. Through platforms such as The TAB Foundation, LeadPreneur and other impact initiatives, he has cultivated communities of leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers across Africa and beyond.
His work reflects a belief that true success is measured by the lives we empower and the legacy we leave behind.
Transformation becomes sustainable when people, systems, and ideas align. Taopheek’s work spans leadership, institutional transformation, and ecosystem development — creating platforms that enable sustainable progress.
-
Empowering Leaders
-
Building Institutions
-
Impacting Society
Leadership is the foundation of lasting transformation.
Taopheek works with executives, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs to cultivate strategic thinking, purpose-driven leadership, and the capacity to navigate complexity. Through keynote engagements, executive conversations, and leadership initiatives, he equips leaders with the mindset and tools required to build resilient organizations and create meaningful impact.
His approach blends real-world experience, leadership philosophy, and practical frameworks designed to unlock possibilities and inspire responsible leadership.
Strong institutions create sustainable progress.
With over two decades of cross-sector experience, Taopheek partners with governments, enterprises, and organizations to strengthen governance, align strategy with execution, and design systems that enable transformation at scale.
His work focuses on institutional alignment, technology-enabled transformation, innovation strategy, and performance-driven frameworks; helping organizations evolve into resilient, high-performing institutions capable of delivering lasting value.
Transformation must extend beyond organizations to society.
Guided by a deep commitment to service and legacy, Taopheek supports initiatives that develop human capital, empower communities, and promote sustainable societal advancement. Through platforms such as The TAB Foundation, LeadPreneur and other impact initiatives, he has cultivated communities of leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers across Africa and beyond.
His work reflects a belief that true success is measured by the lives we empower and the legacy we leave behind.
Transformation becomes sustainable when people, systems, and ideas align. Taopheek’s work spans leadership, institutional transformation, and ecosystem development — creating platforms that enable sustainable progress.
Empowering Leaders
Leadership is the foundation of lasting transformation.
Taopheek works with executives, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs to cultivate strategic thinking, purpose-driven leadership, and the capacity to navigate complexity. Through keynote engagements, executive conversations, and leadership initiatives, he equips leaders with the mindset and tools required to build resilient organizations and create meaningful impact.
His approach blends real-world experience, leadership philosophy, and practical frameworks designed to unlock possibilities and inspire responsible leadership.
Building Institutions
Strong institutions create sustainable progress.
With over two decades of cross-sector experience, Taopheek partners with governments, enterprises, and organizations to strengthen governance, align strategy with execution, and design systems that enable transformation at scale.
His work focuses on institutional alignment, technology-enabled transformation, innovation strategy, and performance-driven frameworks; helping organizations evolve into resilient, high-performing institutions capable of delivering lasting value.
Impacting Society
Transformation must extend beyond organizations to society.
Guided by a deep commitment to service and legacy, Taopheek supports initiatives that develop human capital, empower communities, and promote sustainable societal advancement. Through platforms such as The TAB Foundation, LeadPreneur and other impact initiatives, he has cultivated communities of leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers across Africa and beyond.
His work reflects a belief that true success is measured by the lives we empower and the legacy we leave behind.