The chronicle of Tajudeen Owoyemi’s journey reads like a tale of legend, as he emerged from the humble background of a petty trader’s son to reach the pinnacle of success in both the construction and hospitality industries. With minimal formal education and merely a four-year apprenticeship as a plumber, Owoyemi defied all odds to become one of Nigeria’s wealthiest owners of luxurious hotels. The inception of Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited marked the beginning of Owoyemi’s prosperous foray into the hospitality realm, culminating in the establishment of the first Protea Hotel in Nigeria during the early 2000s.
As we entered his serene office located in Ikoyi, Lagos, on a tranquil Tuesday evening, there was an air of simplicity surrounding him – an unpretentiousness that spoke volumes about his character.
“That’s just who I am. I prefer a quiet life, far from the glare of paparazzi. It’s how God has fashioned me, and that’s how I’ve chosen to live,” he humbly stated.
Born on April 16, 1956, in Offa, Kwara State, Owoyemi spent his early years there before his parents relocated to Ghana when he was two, leaving him in the care of his grandmother. It was during this period that Owoyemi discovered his entrepreneurial acumen and ignited his passion for progress.
“I was raised by a modest trader who instilled the spirit of hard work in me. I recall selling ‘Ekuru’ for my grandmother after school. Additionally, I used to visit construction sites with my friends to help transport sand and other materials. We would carry sand from the stream and pile it up to a certain level before receiving compensation. It was our modest contribution to our families. This struggle continued until I completed secondary school and moved to Kaduna.”
Having weathered the hardships of life, struggling to make ends meet until completing secondary school, Owoyemi embarked on a quest to find his purpose. At the age of 18, he journeyed to Kaduna in search of his calling.
“I wanted to attend college, but finances were scarce. In Kaduna, I learned a trade – I became an artisan trained as a plumber. I honed my skills for several years. Subsequently, I enrolled in Kaduna Polytechnic, pursuing part-time studies in Civil Engineering. I would work as a plumber in the morning and attend evening classes. I persisted for years and earned a National Diploma in Civil Engineering.”
With his background as a young helper on construction sites and his studies as a civil engineer, Owoyemi developed a profound interest in building. By the age of 22 in 1978, he had founded his own company.
“We started taking on contracts around 1979 when Alhaji Shehu Shagari assumed office. Many people, including friends, entrusted us with their projects due to the trust they had in us. We weren’t overly ambitious as a company; instead, we focused on our strengths, and the work started to flourish.”
With over 45 years of experience in the construction industry, Owoyemi’s expertise is truly remarkable. He has undertaken projects spanning executive, industrial, and commercial structures scattered throughout the nation. Owoyemi’s success propelled him to establish his most significant venture, Tajudeen Owoyemi and Co Ltd (TOCL), a comprehensive Engineering Company specializing in Civil and Mechanical Engineering contracts. TOCL later enjoyed massive support from prestigious public institutions such as Command and Staff College Jaji, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), and several other Federal Government Agencies and Parastatals.
“We executed numerous contracts. One of our most significant projects was the Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna. We undertook the reconstruction and renovation of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry headquarters in Jaji. It was around 1991 when we accomplished it, and it proved to be highly successful,” he fondly recalled.
Having laid a solid foundation as a construction magnate in the northern regions, Owoyemi decided to extend his reach to the west.
“I had never been to Lagos until 1985 when General Babangida assumed power. It was my very first time in Lagos. What brought me here? It was a contract for construction work. The late Haladu, a General from Kano, invited me to Lagos. They wanted to build Police barracks for Nigerian Ports, and after their executive meeting, they approved it, entrusting me to get it done. So, he summoned me from Kaduna, insisting that I should come to Lagos immediately. That’s how I boarded my first flight to Lagos. I soon realized that this was yet another place where, if you conduct your business diligently, you reap the rewards. From then on, I started coming to Lagos regularly before finally moving here with my family in 1993.”
With resounding success at TOCL, the quintessential entrepreneur, Owoyemi, ventured into the establishment of numerous enterprises either as a sole promoter or in collaboration with others. His ventures spanned property, banking, hospitality, solid minerals, maritime business, and various other sectors. In more ways than one, he demonstrated that success and credibility are not bestowed upon individuals but rather earned through unwavering dedication to their chosen pursuits.
The birth of Avalon Intercontinental Nigeria Limited marked Owoyemi’s successful entry into the hospitality industry, with the establishment of the Avalon Hotel in his hometown, Offa, despite minimal support in the town. The vision was to attract more people to the area, hastening the pace of urbanization and commercialization in Offa and Kwara State alike.
