EXCLUSIVE: ‘From Bus conductor to MD/CEO and Ph.D holder,’ Hakeem Wale Akintunde shares inspiring success story
For those wishing to, or about to call it quits in the journey of life over some challenges thrown at them, Hakeem Wale Akintunde’s story come as refreshing oil to your lamps that there is hope even for the hopeless that is still breathing and life can still smile at you.
Born in the mid-sixties to parents striving their best to put food on the table, Hakeem knew early in life that if he was to become great, depending on his struggling parents might slow down his life journey and attainment of his lofty dreams. He wasted no time in weighing his options and making maximum use of available opportunities.
Hakeem’s gradual rise from the doldrums of Opoye-Osa in the 70s as a struggling primary school pupil to a fine, highly sought-after professional who took courses in Dublin, Ireland and United Kingdom years later is one of resilience, bravery and courage.
What trade did Hakeem not try his hands on? From visiting the abattoir as early as 4am daily to hawking raw meat through the nooks and crannies of Opoye-Osa to car washing and later bus conductor, Hakeem was almost a jack of all. All of these at tender age of 12. Hakeem was so engrossed in these side hustles that he regularly skips classes and on days he is able to attend, he won’t be in class till 11 for a school that closes 2pm!
“I usually start my daily hustle as early as 4am going to the abattoir with my uncle. After taking our portion of the meat for sale, I would hawk same early that morning and later resume at a car wash centre where I started with washing tyres. After that, I will then proceed to my bus conductor job. I initially ran these jobs on shift bases (morning, afternoon and evening),” Hakeem told NewsClick Nigeria in a recent one-hour tell-it-all interview.
However, Hakeem soon began having issues with some Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials as a bus conductor because of his age and that permanently made him run either the early morning or late night shifts when the officials would have been off duty. He was so efficient that about three drivers jostle to have him work for them despite the conditions attached.
“I started having issues with the FRSC officials who felt I was too young for that kind of job and should be in school instead. All pleas that I was on the job to get money for school fees fell on deaf ears and I had to at a time avoid them. So I won’t work at peak time when they (the FRSC officials) will be on the road. However, one surprising thing was that despite these conditions, about three drivers usually fight to have me work with them.”
Soon, Hakeem knew it was time to change his line of job for some reasons. One, it was affecting his performance in class and even had to repeat Primary four at a time. Two, his father later got to know he hasn’t been attending school regularly; three, teachers started boarding his bus. And to cap it all, his school mates also knew and started making fun of him the few times he managed to come to school.
“I later had to take the difficult decision to leave the bus conductor job entirely. My father later got to know I wasn’t attending schools regularly and was mad at me. Also, my teachers boarded my bus at some time and were soon calling me ‘omo conductor’. The news later spread around and mu class mates and even juniors started making fun of me.”
Escape to Plateau State
A stabbing incident involving Hakeem later forced him to run away from home to his Aunt in Plateau State.
“After finishing my primary school education which I completed through Bola Ige’s free education policy, I awaited admission into secondary school endlessly with no success. It was while waiting that my cousin and I had some argument which resulted in me stabbing him. I knew I would be dead if my father got hold of me, so it was best for me to just run away. All along, my aunt who had been hearing of the troubles I was facing at home had been pleading with me to come to Plateau, an idea I always rejected. The stabbing incident left me with no choice than to jump on the offer,” Hakeem said.
“My aunt welcomed me with open arms and without being preached to, I voluntarily converted to Christianity from Islam when I firsthand the practical love amongst them.”
Plateau soon became Hakeem’s land of succour as he not only got admission into secondary school but also got recognised for his trustworthiness. He later got admitted into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) where he studied Accounting.
Flourishing career
By now you would probably have known that Hakeem is not new at adopting survival strategies in anywhere he finds himself. Therefore it was pleasant to the ears when he mentioned the odd jobs he did to survive both as graduate and undergraduate. This included selling car scraps, a trade he did so well that he later advanced to selling cars.
“As an undergraduate at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria I worked on a part-time basis with Moses Ogidigo & Co. (Chartered Accountants) as Audit Trainee. This gave me the opportunity of having good interpersonal relationship and a step towards developing a career in life.
At Chris Ekeigwe & Co. (EDP Audit & Security Associates) the scope of my job covered auditing, accounting and training. I took part in the Continuing Professional Education being organised by the company on behalf of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN.). I had in-house computer training during this period.”
Hakeem served in Enugu State and was rewarded with full employment after his service year for his diligence, passion and commitment to work. He would later voluntarily resign his appointment after 15 months with the firm.
“I did National Youth Service Programme under Onuoha, Elenwoke, Opara & Co (Enugu), an audit firm with consultancy outfit as Audit Trainee. Here, I was exposed to consulting exercise involving recruitment, identification of training needs and training programme for the client companies. The Letter of Commendation (Primary Assignment) from the National Youth Service Corps is a testimony. I was rewarded with full employment which I voluntarily resigned fifteen months later due to academic pursuit.
“I joined the Hermes Consortium in August, 1995 as Accounts Officer. I was deployed to Health-Aid Limited, a member of the group, to assist the Finance Manager in the preparation of corporate budget, final accounts, payroll, handling of tax matters and relating with bankers, auditors and creditors . With effect from December 1996, I became the Accounts and Administrative Manager of Duro Soleye Hospitals, a multi-specialists hospital own by the consortium. I got elevated to the post of Assistant General Manager of the consortium in January, 2000.
I left Hermes Consortium for CentrespreadFCB (a major player in the advertising world) in August, 2004 as Head of Finance and, later appointed Chief Operating Officer.”
Academic Excellence
“In the area of academic, I obtained Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1992), Master of Business Administration with specialization in Banking and Finance from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1995), and Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (2025). In addition, I hold a certificate in International Marketing and Law of International Trade.
“Professionally, I belong to the following bodies: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Cisco Systems Networking Academy, Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria and, the Institute of Data Processing and Management of Nigeria. Furthermore, I hold membership of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria
Considering this statement, my career life has been fruitful in marketing communication, human resources management, finance and administration, information technology and general management among others.”
Professional Profile
Hakeem is the Team Lead of Marcoms, an integrated marketing communications consultancy outfit. Before now, Hakeem was the Chief Operating Officer of the Centrespread Group, a 43-year old company known for building timeless brands across different categories.
He had also served as the Business and Finance Director of the group where he helped revitalize the business and aided the group reposition its abilities, resources and talents.
Hakeem is fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, and Certified Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria. Other professional qualifications include that of Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, and Nigeria Institute of Management amongst others.
He is a United-Nations-trained CISCO Certified Network Associate asides holding a certificate in International Marketing and Law of International Trade of Export-Edge Training School, Dublin. Hakeem was Head of Finance in Health-Aid Ltd/Duro Soleye Hospitals before joining Centrespread in 2004.
He now champions his own companies (Marcom Support Services, Entourage Nigeria Ltd and El-Shaddai Resources Ltd) with some sectorial interests. He is the immediate past Honorary Treasurer of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria.
Hakeem has been involved in re-engineering of some brands and businesses such as UACR (Mr Bigg’s), Fountain Hotels, Mediamore Ltd, and DKK & Associates Ltd amongst others.
Advice to young Nigerians
“I didn’t achieve all I did so far with my own prowess. What I learnt early in life is believe in God and sustained hunger for success. The younger generation needs to show desire to learn, be hardworking and exhibit good character. I had my difficult moments but I never shifted my faith in God.
“Another thing is I never compare myself to others. I was happy in my lane knowing that everyone have their time and mine can never be taken up by someone else no matter how long it takes.
They also need to thirst for independence after learning through the ropes. It’s usually a gradual process and with time success will come smiling on them.”
