ABOUT TAOPHEEK

Thrive, Achieve, Bequeath.

Taopheek BABAYEJU is a seasoned transformation expert, a dynamic leadpreneur, and a published author with a deep passion for developing individuals, transforming organizations, and making a lasting impact on society.

ABOUT TAOPHEEK

Thrive, Achieve, Bequeath

Taopheek BABAYEJU is a seasoned transformation expert, a dynamic leadpreneur, and a published author with a deep passion for developing individuals, transforming organizations, and making a lasting impact on society.
“We are here not to just survive but to THRIVE, our aspirations for success are valid so we will strive to ACHIEVE, but all the achievements amount to nothing if we fail to BEQUEATH a lasting legacy through service to humanity.”

– Taopheek A. BABAYEJU
“We are here not to just survive but to THRIVE, our aspirations for success are valid so we will strive to ACHIEVE, but all the achievements amount to nothing if we fail to BEQUEATH a lasting legacy through service to humanity.”

– Taopheek A. BABAYEJU

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

A passionate change-maker, Taopheek co-founded initiatives like LeadPreneur, which integrates leadership and entrepreneurial principles, and TAB W40, empowering communities through transformative programs.

In 2009, he pioneered Nigeria’s first-ever National Project Management Conference (ProMaCon), fostering the institutionalization of project management practices in Nigeria and Africa. His decade-long dedication to this cause led to the establishment of the ProMaCon Project Management Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to project management, Taopheek received the Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management award from PMI in 2010. In 2024, he earned the prestigious PMI Eric Jenett Person of the Year Award for his exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the profession.

Through his inspiring journey, Taopheek Babayeju continues to lead with vision, empowering individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential and achieve excellence.

Developing
People

Harvard-trained strategist, renowned thought leader, seasoned facilitator, published author, columnist, and keynote speaker, Taopheek brings a wealth of experience to events, training programs, and mentoring initiatives. Leveraging his extensive expertise, he delivers impactful strategies that drive individuals and organizations toward their goals, yielding effective and result-oriented outcomes.

Transforming Organizations

With over two decades of experience, Taopheek possesses a distinct skill set that has empowered organizations to achieve peak performance and optimize their value delivery systems. Focusing on innovation and harnessing technology, he offers transformative solutions that address complex business challenges. His invaluable insights and guidance facilitate the process of organizational evolution and growth.
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Impacting
Society

Grounded in the belief that success should be coupled with a commitment to social good, Taopheek extends his time and resources to humanitarian activities. Over the past decade, he has cultivated communities of change-makers and co-founded social enterprises that empower young leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Taopheek also volunteers and serves in various capacities for several other organizations.

Developing People

Harvard-trained strategist, renowned thought leader, seasoned facilitator, published author, columnist, and keynote speaker, Taopheek brings a wealth of experience to events, training programs, and mentoring initiatives. Leveraging his extensive expertise, he delivers impactful strategies that drive individuals and organizations toward their goals, yielding effective and result-oriented outcomes

Transforming Organizations

With over two decades of experience, Taopheek possesses a distinct skill set that has empowered organizations to achieve peak performance and optimize their value delivery systems. Focusing on innovation and harnessing technology, he offers transformative solutions that address complex business challenges. His invaluable insights and guidance facilitate the process of organizational evolution and growth

Impacting Society

Grounded in the belief that success should be coupled with a commitment to social good, Taopheek extends his time and resources to humanitarian activities. Over the past decade, he has cultivated communities of change-makers and co-founded social enterprises that empower young leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Taopheek also volunteers and serves in various capacities for several other organizations.
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