•As Governors, Senators, Corporate Titans, Storm His Birthday
Tayo Ayeni is 60.That is the big news. And he marked it in a big way, last Wednesday,28th December 2022.
The celebration began with a Thanksgiving service at The Church of The Nativity, Park view.
This was followed by Brunch, at his Banana Island, Ikoyi home. And in the evening, at 8pm,at the Ballroom of Oriental Hotel,Victoria Island, he hosted an All Black With Bling, party.
It was a classy event. Annually, Tayo Ayeni holds the best parties in December. That is why all his friends don’t miss his birthdays. When he used to live on the mainland, in Ikeja GRA, his house was usually a beehive of activities, from a few hours to his birthday and a staccato of fireworks, going up in the air,at midnight, heralding guests into his birthday.
The party use to be held around his swimming pool area. Since he moved to Banana Island a few years ago, he has been celebrating it there. He lives in a magnificent mansion, which has been described by many as a beautiful edifice.
Let’s tell you a bit more about this successful businessman who hit it big very many years ago selling exotic cars.
Though he is from ilesa,he was born in Ibadan to the family of Chief Isaiah Sunday Ayeni and Mrs. Mojisola Alice. The popular Ayeni family hails from Ilesa, in Osun State.
Tayo once described his father as a disciplinarian and his role model. “I was brought up in a polygamous home. It was quite interesting and educative. My father, Chief I.S. Ayeni, popularly known as ‘Baba 10 10’ of blessed memory was fully in charge of his household. He ensured we did family activities together.”
Tayo Ayeni attended African Church Grammar School, Ilesa, and later moved to Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State for his A-level. He proceeded to Italy where he studied Electrical Engineering.
Career.
Tayo Ayeni is the Chairman/CEO of Skymit Motors Limited.
In an old interview,of his, he revealed that he was privy to know about car business and European car dealership during his days in Italy, as a student.
He returned to Nigeria after his education, and he decided that he was going to “revolutionise” the way car business was being done in Nigeria.” He then founded Skymit Motors Limited, which, according to him, is summary of the ‘Sky is the limit.’
The company was incorporated in 1986 as a Private Limited Company with an initial start-up capital of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00), which has a yearly Turnover of 5 billion naira today. The company’s sales are targeted towards “a select group of corporate organizations and high-net-worth individuals who are in dire need of corporate, sleek but durable cars at affordable prices, packaged and tailored towards their financial status and personality.”
Skymit became operational in January 1987 with only 2 cars, but it now has offices/showrooms in Ikeja and Victoria Island (Lagos).
He is also the Chairman of Affordable Cars Limited, a low and medium car sales and service outfit, which is run by his younger brother.
He also heads Space Ventures Ltd, which deals in photographic materials. He is the Chairman of Space Properties, a flourishing real estate firm. There is also Moontrends Holdings, a project financing and management firm, and Limoserve among others.
He is a member of many associations,clubs and groups,like the Nigerian-Italian Alumni, Nigeria-South Africa Chambers of Commerce, Ikoyi Club, Lagos Country Club, Lagos Anglican Church Communion (Christian Friends Society), The Lagos Motor Boat Club, and Aquamarine Boat Club.
He is also a member of Lagos Jetski Club, Ikoyi.
He has received several local and international awards in recognition of his entrepreneurship undertakings.
These awards include:
‘Best Entrepreneurial CEO’ – Ikeja City Award (for 4 consecutive years),
‘Best Multi-Stock Showroom’ On-Wheels Magazine (2006/2009),
‘Auto Company of the Year’ – Excellence Recognition Awards – (2008),
‘King of Luxury’ – Niteshift Coliseum,
‘Best Car Dealer of the Year’ – LEAD AFRICA (2013),
‘Outstanding CEO of the Year’ – Ikeja City Award
‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ – LEAD AFRICA (2014),
‘Most Outstanding CEO of the Year’ – Pan African International Magazine (2018) amongst others.
Tayo is happily married to Adetutu, a lawyer and a director of Skymit Motors Limited. She is the Managing Director of Space Properties and a member of the Advisory Council of Grange School. They are blessed with lovely children.
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