Iyinoluwa Samuel Aboyeji is a Nigerian entrepreneur known for his contributions to the tech industry in Africa.
He is the co-founder of Andela, a global job placement network for software developers, and the co-founder and former managing director of Flutterwave, a leading payments technology company in Africa.
He has also founded Future Africa, a platform that provides capital, coaching, and community for mission-driven innovators.
Aboyeji has been recognized for his work, being cited as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019.
He was also honored with the National Honors Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022.
This is his profile as told by WOA:
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Net Worth
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s net worth is estimated to be between $10 million to $1 billion. He has founded and co-founded several companies, including:
- Andela: A global job placement network for software developers, Andela trains engineers and connects them with major tech firms worldwide.
- Flutterwave: A fintech company that provides payment infrastructure for global merchants and payment service providers across Africa.
- Future Africa: A platform that provides capital, coaching, and community to early-stage startups across the continent.
- Talent City Inc: A construction company aimed at driving Africa’s digital economy by creating spaces for technology talent to thrive.
- Bookneto Incorporation: Co-founded in 2010, a social learning platform.
- Fora: A service provider helping African universities access online course materials.
- Street Capital (2018): A business connecting global investors and angel investors with African entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Iyinoluwa reportedly owns a fleet of high-end vehicles, including a Toyota Highlander and a Lexus LX570.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Education Background
Iyinoluwa completed his secondary education at Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja, Nigeria, graduating in 2007.
He then attended Columbia International College in Canada, where he pursued studies in international development, legal studies, and economics.
Aboyeji also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
His studies have provided him with a strong legal and analytical foundation that has been beneficial in his entrepreneurial ventures.
But how did he become a billionaire?
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Success journey
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji was born on March 28, 1991, in Lagos, Nigeria, to Reverend parents. He completed his secondary education at Loyola Jesuit College in Abuja in 2007.
He then attended Columbia International College and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Waterloo in Canada.
At university, he partnered with a friend and founded a company called bookneto.com, which allowed students to download past papers and receive assistance from other members of the university.
He sold the company to a university professor after three years after being sued for piracy.
After completing his studies, Aboyeji interned with the United Nations Youth Alliance, which ignited his passion for social impact and innovation.
He managed Imprint Publications, a Canadian publishing firm, before venturing into entrepreneurship.
Witnessing the high youth unemployment rates in Nigeria and the lack of tech education opportunities, Aboyeji co-founded Andela in 2014.
His goal was to train and connect talented software developers in Africa with global companies, addressing the tech talent gap.
In 2016, he co-founded Flutterwave, a fintech company that provides payment solutions for businesses across Africa.
Under his leadership as CEO, Flutterwave grew rapidly, processing over $2 billion in transactions and establishing itself as a key player in the African payments landscape.
Aboyeji’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in Africa and recognized as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.
In October 2022, he was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Nigerian government for his contributions to economic development.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Family
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is married to Whittmey Payne Aboyeji. The couple exchanged vows in June 2018 and has one daughter named Caris.
Whittmey is an American award-winning television and film producer, serving as the TV and film advisor at The National Cultural Foundation in Barbados and the head of content production at Maame Productions.
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji’s Scandals
Despite his achievements, Iyinoluwa’s success has not been without controversy.
An investigative report by journalist David Hundeyin accused Flutterwave’s management, including co-founder Olugbenga Agboola, of engaging in insider trading, fraud, and unethical conduct.
Iyinoluwa resigned from Flutterwave in 2018, and there have been conflicting reports regarding the circumstances of his departure.
Some sources suggested he was locked out of his company accounts, leading to speculation about internal conflicts with Agboola.
In interviews, Iyinoluwa has maintained that his exit was voluntary and not due to disagreements.
