One year ago, on March 5, 2025, the African tech ecosystem lost one of its brightest minds. Adetunji “Teejay” Opayele, the visionary Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Bumpa, tragically lost his life following a fatal road traffic collision in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Today, as his family, friends, and the wider tech community mark the first anniversary of his passing, the Bumpa team reflects on the monumental legacy he left behind, while continuing to navigate the ongoing judicial process surrounding his death.
A legacy coded into african commerce
Teejay was more than a Co-founder. While he rarely sought the spotlight, his work spoke volumes. He laid the foundation for the technical infrastructure that brought dignity, structure, and growth to thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria and, more recently, Kenya.
His loss left an irreplaceable void, but his life’s work continues to thrive. Today, the Bumpa team remains fiercely dedicated to carrying his torch forward, building upon the foundation he meticulously laid. His legacy is literally coded into the screens of every merchant who opens the Bumpa app to make a living today, and every entrepreneur who scales their business using the platform is a testament to Teejay’s genius and his deep love for solving real-world problems. `
The man behind the mission
Beyond the lines of code, Teejay was a man of boundless curiosity and deep affection. He would have turned 33 on December 20, 2025. To his family and friends, he was defined by a fierce but quiet love and an unwavering dedication to the people around him. He was the rare kind of person who never said no to anyone in need and never turned down a challenge.
An adventurer at heart with a brilliant, expansive mind, Teejay’s interests stretched far beyond software. He had a deep fascination with Greek mythology, was actively exploring the world of robotics, and harboured a dream of learning how to fly a plane. He brought this same spirit of exploration and fearlessness into every room he entered and every relationship he nurtured.
A Family’s Unimaginable Loss
For those who knew him best, the heartbreak of his absence remains immeasurable. Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Adewale Opayele reflected on his brother’s extraordinary mind and the heavy toll of his passing.
“The void created by my brother’s passing is one of unimaginable agony. It remains difficult to accept that TJ is no longer with us; that his laughter, brilliance, and boundless creativity have been silenced far too soon,” Dr. Opayele shared. “And if we, his siblings, feel this depth of grief, one can only begin to comprehend the immeasurable heartache carried by our loving parents who still wrestle with the hope that this is a dream from which they might awaken to see their most creative genius once again. If he achieved so much within 32 short years, one can only imagine the heights he would have reached with more time. As we navigate our grief and the added strain of awaiting justice, we remain deeply grateful for the overwhelming love and support from his colleagues, friends, and the wider community. TJ’s light continues to shine through the legacy he built.”
The tragedy and the ongoing pursuit of justice
While his beautiful personal and professional legacies remain untouched, the circumstances surrounding his death have led to a drawn-out legal process that his loved ones continue to follow closely.
On the evening of March 4, 2025, while returning from the i-Fitness Gym, Teejay was struck on the Victoria Island expressway by a vehicle driven by Abiola Odutayo. According to reports, the driver recklessly bypassed a traffic control light, colliding with Teejay and leaving him unconscious on the road. He was later transported to General Hospital, Odan, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The case, Commissioner of Police v. Abiola Odutayo, is currently ongoing.
Key developments in the judicial process over the past year include:
- March 12, 2025: Abiola Odutayo was arraigned before Magistrate Owumi at the Tinubu Magistrate Court on Lagos Island. She pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge and was granted bail on medical grounds in the sum of ₦1,000,000 with two sureties.
- May 29, 2025: Following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), an amended one-count charge of reckless and dangerous driving was filed under Section 52 of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law. This charge prescribes up to seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction. The Defendant maintained a not-guilty plea, and her bail was continued.
- October 8, 2025: The trial officially commenced with the Prosecution calling its first witness.
- February 25, 2026: In the most recent hearing, the Defence counsel cross-examined the first prosecution witness.
The trial is set to continue, with the next court date scheduled for April 2, 2026.
Moving forward with purpose
One year after this unimaginable loss, the focus remains twofold: honouring the incredible man Adetunji Opayele was, and ensuring that accountability is upheld through the justice system.
It’s been a long, arduous year of waiting for justice to be carried out regarding Teejay’s passing, but his loved ones and colleagues are patiently waiting for the much-needed justice, so they can finally try to navigate life knowing that Teejay’s demise was not in vain and will not forever remain an open, unhealed wound.
For the Bumpa team, the grief of the past year has been channelled into an unwavering commitment to the merchants Teejay cared so deeply about. Reflecting on the profound loss, Bumpa CEO Kelvin Umechukwu shared, “The hardest challenge I’ve faced was losing Teejay, my co-founder, my friend, my brother. He was one of those people who made the future feel possible. His life reminds me that impact isn’t measured by time; it’s measured by what remains in people after you’re gone. I’ve chosen to anchor myself in purpose, showing up for the life he lived, and for the vision we both carried.”
As the community awaits the conclusion of the trial, they continue to celebrate his life, his warmth, and the permanent mark he left on the African technology landscape.
Link to IG post – https://www.instagram.com/p/DVf5GyiDKFz/
