Barrister Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi (MON) – Entrepreneur of The Year

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Barrister (Dr.) Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi is an Icon in maritime sector, and an industrial plutocrat of our time; one of the frontline advocates of the local content initiatives and indigenous participation in Nigeria shipping business who has continued to create jobs and opportunities for human wellbeing and sense of security.  He began his working career with a shipping outfit, The Nigerian Express Agencies Limited (NEAL), before travelling abroad to study Shipping Management. Barr. (Dr.) Taiwo Afolabi came back and worked with the same company as its Head of Operations.

 

However, because of his burning desire and passion for the development of the maritime sector, he left NEAL in 1988 to establish his own company, SIFAX Nigeria Limited, which has become a leader in ports, shipping and bonded terminal operation, and an institution in shipping and maritime service sector with offices in Tema Ghana, Durban South Africa, Houston USA, Rotterdam Belgium and London United Kingdom.  

In addition, the company has also diversified into the aviation sector with the acquisition of the foremost aviation ground handling company, Skypower Aviation Handling Company Ltd., through its subsidiary, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, in a competitive bidding process supervised by the Bureau of Public Enterprises. His company was the leader of the consortium that bidded for and won Port Harcourt Ports Terminal “A” in 2006. His company also won the concession of Tin Can Island Ports Terminal ‘C’.

For his deep sense of corporate social responsibilities, meritorious service and philanthropic gestures to the society, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is hereby honoured as Excellence Recognition Awards 2018 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR.