Lagos Business School Honors Ola Daviva International with Award of Excellence
By The Punch Business Desk
March 4, 2025 – Lagos Business School (LBS) has conferred its prestigious Award of Excellence on Ola Daviva International, a leading indigenous textile company renowned for its customized Ankara fabrics. The award recognizes the company’s remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s textile industry and its role in job creation.
At the award ceremony held at the LBS campus in Lagos, Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University and former Dean of LBS, commended Ola Daviva International for its innovation, quality craftsmanship, and economic impact.
“Encouraging indigenous businesses creates wealth for our nation and significantly improves Nigeria’s economy,” Okonedo stated. She emphasized the need for institutional and governmental support to strengthen homegrown enterprises like Ola Daviva International, which continue to contribute to local production and employment.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Uchenna Uzo, MBA Director at LBS, praised the company’s resilience and its ability to remain at the forefront of textile manufacturing despite industry challenges. According to him, Ola Daviva’s success story serves as a beacon of hope for young entrepreneurs striving to make a mark in Nigeria’s competitive business environment.
Ola Daviva CEO: From Media to Textiles
The company’s founder, Olayemi Olatilewa, comes from a family deeply rooted in the textile trade. Growing up, he watched both his parents run the business, sparking his interest in textiles from an early age. His journey into entrepreneurship, however, took a different turn before he eventually returned to the industry.
Olatilewa first ventured into media after earning a degree in African Language and Literature from Tai Solarin University of Education. He worked with media outlets such as Tiwantiwa TV and Radio Diaspora, an online radio station, before shifting back to his family’s textile business, where he has since made a name for himself in the industry.
In his acceptance speech, Olatilewa expressed gratitude to Professor Okonedo, Dr. Uzo, and the entire LBS faculty for recognizing his efforts. He acknowledged the support of institutions like Lagos Business School in fostering young business owners and pledged to continue pushing the boundaries of textile production in Nigeria.
LBS Pledges Continued Support for Entrepreneurs
Lagos Business School reaffirmed its commitment to supporting indigenous businesses, pledging continued assistance to Ola Daviva International and other emerging entrepreneurs. The institution emphasized that nurturing local businesses is essential for economic sustainability, job creation, and wealth generation.
This recognition further cements Ola Daviva International’s reputation as a driving force in Nigeria’s textile industry and highlights the crucial role of institutional support in fostering entrepreneurial success.