Nigeria is one of the countries that has a large number of car dealerships, both small-scale and large-scale dealerships. Through the selling of these cars, many Nigerians have acquired a huge amount of money. The car business made many wealthy men in Nigeria including Olutayo Andy Ayeni.
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Olutayo Andy Ayeni was born on 28th December in Ibadan to the family of Chief Isaiah Sunday Ayeni and Mrs. Mojisola Alice. He hails from Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria. 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.
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How Tayo Ayeni begin his Career?
Mr Olutayo Andy Ayeni studied Electrical Engineering in Italy and discovered his love for cars and ventured into the automobile business where he focused on European car dealerships.
Upon returning to Nigeria after his education, he intended to “revolutionise the way (automobile) business was being done back home in Nigeria.” He then founded a company he called Skymit Motors Limited, which, according to him, is a contraction of ‘Sky is the limit.’
Tayo Ayeni is the Chairman/CEO of Skymit Motors Limited. In an interview granted Lanre Alfred, Society Editor of ThisDay Newspapers, said he was knowledgeable about the Automobile business and European car dealerships during his study days in Italy. Skymit began operation in January 1987 with only two cars; it now has offices/showrooms in Ikeja and Victoria Island (Lagos).
He also heads Space Ventures Ltd, which deals in photographic materials; he is chairman of Space Properties, a real estate firm; Moontrends Holdings, a project financing and management firm, and Limoserve among others. In 1995 he founded another automobile company called Affordable Cars Limited with his younger brother as a low and medium-car sales and service outfit.
Skymit, established on 20th January 1986 as a privately held company with an initial capital of ₦500,000.00 has emerged as a prominent automotive firm. At present, its total capital exceeds ₦3 billion. The company commenced its full operations in January 1987, starting with just two cars at its location on Opebi Road in Ikeja, Lagos.
Skymit Limited has shown remarkable growth, evident from its annual average turnover surpassing ₦5 billion. The company has established offices and showrooms in upscale locations such as Ikeja and Victoria Island.
Awards and honors
Mr Tayo Ayeni has received several local and international awards in recognition of his entrepreneurship undertakings.
These awards include:
- ‘Best Entrepreneurial CEO’ – Ikeja City Award (four 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 Ayeni Personal life
Tayo is married to Adetutu Ayeni, a trained lawyer and a director of Skymit Motors Limited. Up till December 2004, Mrs. Ayeni is an Alumni of Lagos Business School. She is currently the MD of Space Properties Ltd. “I met her while she was studying law at Lagos State University,” Ayeni said. They are blessed with five children.
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