Born in Ondo to the family of Chief and Chief (Mrs.) Samson Afolabi, Barrister (Dr.) Taiwo Afolabi is a native of Idokunusi, Ijebu, in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.  He started his educational pursuit at Ansar ud Deen Primary School in Ondo and proceeded to Baptist Grammar School, Ibadan, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC). His quest to attain a high level of academic excellence and leadership in advocacy led him to the University of Lagos where he obtained a degree in law.  He became a member of the noble profession when he was called to the Nigerian Bar by the Body of Benchers on Wednesday, 4th November 2009.  

He began his working career with a shipping outfit, The Nigerian Express Agencies Limited (NEAL). He became an outstanding young manager in Shipping Operation and Ports Management 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.  SIFAX, as it is now popularly known, has become a leader in ports, shipping and bonded terminal operation, and an institution in the Shipping and Maritime service sector, with offices in Tema, Ghana; Durban, South Africa; Houston, USA; Rotterdaam, Belgium and London, UK. Presently, new avenues are being opened in Djibouti and Malabo and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. In addition, SIFAX recorded another success by diversifying into the aviation sector following the privatisation exercise by the Bureau of Public Enterprises by bidding and eventually taking over the prestigious Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited.  

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, a professional maritime logistician and an erudite businessman, has attended several courses, seminars and workshops on Ports Operations and Management, and several other maritime courses, both locally and internationally.

He is a seasoned maritime consultant and Fellow of various institutions, some of which include the Nigerian Institute of Financial Management (FIFM),  the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (FIFF), the Certified Institute of Shipping (CIS), the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS), Port & Terminal Management Academy of Nigeria and the Certified Board of Administrators f Nigeria (CBAN).

Dr.  Afolabi’s hard work, deep sense of corporate social responsibility, meritorious service and philanthropic gestures to the maritime industry and the society at large have been acknowledged by many institutions as evidenced by the harvest of awards bestowed on him and his organisation, some of which include the following:

  • Maritime Quality Service Award (MQSA) 1997, in recognition of the quality of service delivery by company;
  • Men of Achievement Award 1998, in recognition of his achievements, considering his age in business at the time;
  • ECOWAS International Gold Award 1999, in recognition of his contributions to business enterprise within the ECOWAS sub-region;
  • Society Role Model and Corporate Gold Award 2004, from Centre for International Legal Co-operation and Development, in recognition of his strict adherence to laws of the land guiding his business and personal relationships; 
  • Millennium Corporate Achievers Gold Award, from International School of Aviation ‘THE AFRICAN PRIDE’, in recognition of his innovation in the maritime sector of the economy;
  • The ‘MOST DYNAMIC SHIPPING COMPANY’ of the Year 2005 (by Freight   Forwarders Association of Nigeria), in recognition of his company’s competence amongst others in the Shipping sector;
  • Achievers Award presented by Ondo State Government in 2006, in recognition of his business acumen and achievement in the country;
  • The Distinguished Nation-Builder Merit award (DINBMA 2007) by Complete Success Magazine, in recognition of his numerous achievements in the economy;
  • Lions Club International Merit Award 2008, in recognition of his service to humanity.
  • Meritorious Diamond Award for National Development presented by Corporate & Media Africa Communications Limited on December 6, 2008, in recognition of his contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria through his field of endeavour;
  • ‘Man of the Year’presented at the Ogun Awards on December 16, 2008 at the Excellence Recognition Awards, in recognition of his contributions to the social and economic development of the country;
  • 2009 Nigerian National Integrity Award with the induction into the INTEGRITY HALL OF FAME on May 14, 2009, by Hero Communications & Co.
  • Most Innovative Entrepreneur Award presented on Sunday, 24th May 2009 at the Transport Development Excellence Award 2009 by Trans Quest Media Concepts;
  • Merit Award presented by Ilese Community Development Association on behalf of the people of Ilese Ijebu in appreciation of his consistency and commitment to the development and progress of Ilese Ijebu on Saturday, 29th July 2009;
  • Dynamism in Maritime Industry Award presented at the Lifetime Achievement Awards held on Friday, 25th September 2009;
  • Excellence Award for his integrity and contribution to global economic development and service to humanity presented by Egbeda Lions Community Club on  October 25, 2009.
  • Maritime Gold Award of integrity and commitment of the year 2009 presented by Maritime Watch on November 19, 2009.
  • Certificate of Merit presented by the League of Maritime Editors for landmark contributions to the growth of the Nigerian Maritime Industry December 16, 2010.
  • Appreciation Award presented by Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria for his contribution to the success of the 2011 District 9110 Rotary Foundation Dinner/Dance Ball on February 25, 2011.
  • ECOWAS Super Brand Business Awards 2011 as ECOWAS Business Man of the Year 2011.
  • Rotary International  District 9110, Nigeria Distinguished Service Award given on July 16, 2011.
  • League of Maritime Editors Awards of Foremost Entrepreneur of Maritime Industry on November 29, 2011.
  • Induction as member into the West African Student Union (WASU) Hall of Fame 2011.
  • Award for contribution to the growth of the Maritime Industry in Nigeria by WISTA NIGERIA on December 4, 2011.
  • Special Recognition Award for Business at the 15th City People Awards for Excellence on Saturday, 5th May 2012.
  • Certificate of Merit presented by WAI Brigade Nigeria, Apapa Area Command in appreciation and recognition towards the success in combating indiscipline and corruption in the society on Saturday, 5th May 2012.
  • Certificate of Recognition presented by the Nigerian Youth Movement in recognition and appreciation of his selfless and meritorious service to Nigeria and humanity towards sustainable growth and development in Nigeria on Monday, 22nd October 2012.
  • Award for Outstanding Leadership in Nation Building and Development presented by the Nigerian Youth Movement on Monday, 22nd October 2012.
  • Recognition and Appreciation Award as an Outstanding Shipping/Logistics Company presented by the Nigeria Chamber of Shipping on Tuesday, 11th December 2012.
  • Award at the Night of 100 Stars in recognition of his resounding accomplishments, inherent spirit of resilience and domineering status as one of Nigeria’s most enterprising stars courtesy of The Businessmen Journal on Thursday, 13th December 2012

His company is the leader of the consortium that bid for and won Port Harcourt Ports Terminal ‘A’ in 2006. His company also won the concession of Tin Can Island Ports Terminal ‘C’.

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is an icon in the maritime sector and an industrial plutocrat of our time. He is one of the frontline advocates of the local content initiatives and indigenous participation in the Nigerian shipping business, and has continued to create jobs and opportunities for human wellbeing.

He was conferred with a degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration by Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel. In the same vein, at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, which took place on Wednesday, 23rd April 2008, he was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa). Again, at the congregation for the award of Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) on Saturday, 11th July 2009, he was conferred with a honorary degree of Doctor of Arts (Hon. D.A.) by the European-American University, Dominica, for his outstanding contributions to academics and to the advancement of humanity in general. In July 2010, he was also he was conferred with an Honorary degree of Doctor of Art Honoris Causa (Hon. D.A.) by the Commonwealth University, Belize, in an event which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

In recognition of his contribution to the growth and spread of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Western Ports Police Command, Lagos, he was elected as Grand Patron. He is also the patron of many other organisations amongst which are YOMAFA, Freight Forwarders Academy of Nigeria, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Maritime Reporter Association, etc., 

He is a member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria; Ikoyi Club 1938; IBB Golf Club, Abuja; and the Building Committee of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, amongst others. He was a member of the Delegation of the Presidential Working visit to the U.K from 16th to 18th July 2008.

His contributions to the development of co-operation between Nigeria and the Republic of Djibouti was recognised when on 1st July 2010, he was appointed the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Djibouti at the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with jurisdiction over the whole territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and full power and authority by His Excellency, Ismail Omah Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti.

On 22nd July 2008, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi was conferred with the prestigious honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCRF, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of his outstanding virtues and meritorious service to his motherland, Nigeria.

At the meeting of the Board of The World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) held in Kingston, Jamaica, between Wednesday, 23rd  and Monday, 28th January 2013, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi was elected as Regional Chairman of Hon. Consuls for West Africa (comprising 17 countries) and Member of the FICAC Legal Committee. At the Achievers’ Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, 23rd February 2013, he was decorated with the African Industrialist of the Year Award as an acknowledgement of the unique work he had and is still doing in his chosen profession.

Barrister (Dr.) Afolabi is presently a member of the Business Support Group (BSG), a group which provides a platform for airing the views of the private sector with the aim of supporting the development of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), a 30-year long-term planning tool for implementing infrastructural programmes to meet the demands of the people for infrastructure as approved by the Executive Council of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Some years ago, in memory of his late mother, Alhaja Ayisat Ajoke Afolabi, and in conjunction with some of his siblings, he formed the Ayisat Ajoke Afolabi Foundation to take care of orphans, widows and the less privileged persons in the society. Within a few years of its existence, the foundation has extended its hand of fellowship to many Nigerians through payment of school fees, hospital bills and support to enable people establish their own businesses.

Dr. Afolabi is a sports lover who enjoys watching and playing football. He is happily married with children.

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