By Sheriff Mahmud Ismail
Lagos – 11 February, 2026 –
On a humid Lagos evening, where the Atlantic breeze sweeps gently across the glass towers and neon-lit boulevards of Victoria Island, the Delborough Hotel shimmered with quiet prestige. Long known as one of the city’s most exclusive addresses, the hotel, with its polished marble interiors, soft golden lighting and hushed refinement, played host to a gathering that felt less like an event and more like a moment in Africa’s unfolding economic story.
Lagos, widely regarded as one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic cities, was at its sophisticated best. Inside, the Dani Jazz Band set the tone for the black-tie affair, their smooth, elegant melodies drifting through a hall filled with industry titans, political heavyweights, clergy, entrepreneurs and cultural icons. It was an evening reserved for the crème de la crème of Lagos society, a select gathering assembled in honour of one of Africa’s most accomplished technology pioneers, Olugbenga Agboola, the founder of the fintech giant Flutterwave.
Before the tributes began, Agboola himself set the tone for the evening with opening remarks that were as reflective as they were gracious. Dressed in a black English suit with a bow tie, his manner calm and humble, he offered a brief account of a journey that began in 2016 and has since grown into one of Africa’s most remarkable technology success stories. He thanked the dignitaries, competitors, colleagues, staff, and entertainers who had taken time from their demanding schedules to celebrate the company’s tenth year milestone.
Not one to take all the credit, he introduced what he described as his dedicated team, acknowledging them as the true engine behind the company’s growth and achievements. The gesture drew warm applause and set an atmosphere of shared pride rather than personal triumph.
The dignitary list alone spoke volumes. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo arrived in a dignified grey African attire, his presence commanding and familiar. Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma, in his trademark elegant grey hair, dressed in a black English suit with a black-and-white tie, exuded stately calm. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, joined the distinguished assembly, alongside Nollywood icon, Omotola Jalade, and music superstar, Tiwa Savage. The room was thick with influence: Christian leaders including Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock, business magnates such as Cosmos Maduka, real estate titan, Chief Olu Okeowo, shipping entrepreneur, Lady Nkiru Anumudu, and telecommunications stalwart, Ernest Ndukwe, now Chairman of MTN. The host, Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu of the Stanel Group, welcomed guests in an atmosphere that blended celebration with quiet admiration.
It was an evening dedicated to Agboola’s extraordinary journey, one that has seen his fintech platform licensed in more than 30 countries and process over a billion transactions valued at over $40 billion. With an MIT pedigree and advisory roles across notable global institutions, Agboola’s career has become a study in how African innovation can scale beyond borders.
In a deeply personal tribute, Agboola referred to former President Obasanjo as a father figure. When Obasanjo rose to speak, he traced the origins of Nigeria’s telecommunications revolution to a time when phones were scarce and connectivity was a luxury. Drawing from his background as a military engineer and recalling the influence of former Head of State Murtala Muhammed, he explained how military leaders once prioritized communications infrastructure in the belief that it could help solve many of Nigeria’s challenges.
“It did not solve everything then,” he reflected in substance, “but when I had the rare fortune of a second chance as an elected President, that early experience helped us to do much better.” He recounted how his administration opened up the telecommunications sector, creating opportunities that would later transform lives. With Ernest Ndukwe, who led the Nigerian Communications Commission at the time, seated in the hall, the moment felt almost circular.
Obasanjo dismissed the notion that he created billionaires. What he created, he said, were opportunities. Many became wealthy because they seized those chances. And decades later, he noted with a sense of satisfaction, one such opportunity had enabled a young Nigerian to build a multibillion-dollar fintech enterprise that now serves the world.
Ndukwe, dressed in a flowing black African gown and traditional hat, corroborated the former president’s account. He spoke proudly of the liberalization of the telecommunications sector and praised Agboola’s innovation, noting how his work has reduced Africa’s overdependence on foreign electronic platforms for online transactions. He urged young Nigerians to follow in his footsteps, pointing to Flutterwave as evidence of what is possible when vision meets opportunity.
Cosmos Maduka, in a simple black suit without a tie, brought warmth and humor. He spoke of Nigerian resilience and competitiveness, recounting his own journey building businesses across continents, including in Japan. He urged young people to channel their energy into productive pursuits and expressed, half in jest, his regret that Agboola had not reached out to him earlier for support. Great initiatives, he said, should never pass unnoticed by those willing to help.
President Koroma, whom Agboola also referred to as a father figure, in his usual poise and grace, praised the entrepreneur’s remarkable achievements and framed them within a broader African context. Nigeria’s size, population and resources, he observed, make its success central to the continent’s progress. If Nigeria gets it right, the ripple effects would be felt across Africa. He pledged his continued support to Agboola, closing with a simple assurance that carried the weight of mentorship and friendship.
Governor Sanwo-Olu echoed similar sentiments, celebrating Agboola’s excellence and the way his innovations have made online business transactions easier and more accessible across the continent. He spoke of pride, possibility and the importance of nurturing homegrown talent.
Throughout the evening, the music swelled and softened, glasses clinked, and conversations moved easily between reminiscence and ambition. Young entrepreneurs mingled with billionaires and statesmen, drawing inspiration from a man whose journey began with education, vision and relentless effort.
In the quiet elegance of the Delborough Hotel, under the glow of chandeliers and the gentle hum of jazz, the night became more than a celebration of one individual. It was a tribute to opportunity, to foresight, and to the belief that African ingenuity, when nurtured, can transform not just industries, but the destiny of a continent.