Left to right: Pierre Le Manh – President & CEO, Project Management Institute, PMI, Taopheek Babayeju, CEO, Icentra and Award Recipient – PMI Person of the Year, LuAnn Piccard – Chair, Board of Directors, Project Management Institute, PMI
The Project Management Institute (PMI), USA, has named Taopheek Babayeju as the Person of the Year 2024, making him the first African to receive this prestigious honor. In a historic moment at PMI’s Global Congress in Los Angeles, California, on the 19th of September 2024, Mr. Babayeju was presented with the highly coveted Eric Jenett Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the project management profession, his technical expertise, strategic leadership, and business acumen.
Taopheek Babayeju’s rise to global prominence is the epitome of perseverance and vision. Born and raised in Ebute Meta, Lagos, his journey from humble beginnings to global recognition is an inspiring tale. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Babayeju said in his acceptance speech, crediting his success to the community that supported him. “In the truest sense, no one is truly self-made. Success is a collective effort, and this award belongs to the many communities that shaped and uplifted me.”
For over a decade, Babayeju’s contributions to the project management profession have left an indelible mark, transforming practices not just in Nigeria but across Africa. His visionary leadership first came to the fore in 2009, when he spearheaded Nigeria’s inaugural National Project Management Conference, an event that has since become a cornerstone of the industry in Nigeria. Babayeju’s drive to create a platform for honest dialogue and sustainable solutions revolutionized the project management landscape and set new standards of excellence. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2010 Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management in Nigeria by the PMI Nigeria Chapter.
Babayeju’s journey was not without its struggles. From sleeping on balconies to making ends meet as a barber and phone repairer, he never lost sight of his dreams. As he recounted in his speech, “I see the young, aspiring professionals who are striving for success. I was once where you are—repairing phones and cutting hair to survive. But every great achievement begins with the courage to try, and your persistence will pay off.”
Despite receiving lucrative offers from corporate giants like MTN and NNPC, Babayeju chose to forge his own path. This bold decision led to the founding of iCentra, a leading business and technology solutions company that now serves clients across Africa, North America, and Europe. Under his leadership, iCentra has grown into a powerhouse, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and delivering cutting-edge solutions in project management, digital transformation, and technology consulting.
Babayeju’s two decades of experience span strategy, program and portfolio management, PMO delivery, information and cybersecurity, and more. His educational achievements—a bachelor’s degree in physics from Lagos State University, an MBA from Lagos Business School, and executive education from Harvard Business School and IESE Business School—demonstrate his relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise. “Education is a lifelong journey, and every step is a stepping stone to greater things,” he noted.
As an angel investor, mentor, and advocate for technological advancement, Babayeju’s influence extends beyond his corporate achievements. He has served on various boards, contributed to Nigeria’s innovation policies, and played a role in the Presidential Committee on Innovation. He’s also a published author and regular contributor to Forbes Magazine and BusinessDay Newspaper, amplifying his voice in the fields of technology, project management, and innovation.
In closing his acceptance speech, Babayeju announced a new chapter in his journey: #Project1500, an initiative aimed at empowering 1,500 young professionals—especially Africans—with critical skills in Project Management, Agile, and Digital Transformation. “This is not just my story; it’s our story. Together, we will continue to thrive, achieve, and bequeath lasting legacies,” he concluded.
Taopheek Babayeju’s remarkable story of grit, vision, and community is a powerful reminder that no matter where one starts, with determination and the right support, the possibilities are endless. From Ebute Meta to the global stage, his story is one of Africa’s finest, a story of resilience, impact, and transformation.
