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Lai Labode (born c. 1976) is a Nigerian businessman, investor, and traditional leader.[1] He is the Chief Executive Officer of CashToken Rewards Africa and serves as the present Aare of Egbaland, making him the youngest person appointed to the historic title.[2][3][4]
Lai Labode | |
|---|---|
| Aare of Egbaland, Kurunmi of Ijaye | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1976 Nigeria |
| Citizenship | Nigeria |
| Education | Harvard Business School (Alumnus) |
| Occupation | Businessman, traditional leader |
Early life and education
editLabode was raised in Nigeria. He attended the Abeokuta Grammar School and also earned a Diploma in Law and Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Accounting from the University of Abuja. Labode completed executive studies in Strategic Innovation at Imperial College London. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, where he completed executive education programs in financial services and business management.[5] Labode holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship[citation needed] and received an Honorary Doctorate from Wesley University.[1]
Career
editBusiness and fintech
editLabode began his corporate career in financial services. He founded MoneyBox Africa, which became one of the earliest financial technology firms to receive a Mobile Money Permit from the Central Bank of Nigeria.[5][6]
He later established CashToken Rewards Africa Limited, a customer-reward-as-a-service (CRaaS) tech firm that develops gamified cash-reward systems for enterprises and consumers across Africa.[3][7] His subsequent enterprise ventures include OneNUMBA Innovations Limited and Salteinstein.[5]
Cultural and fashion advocacy
editLabode serves as the President of the Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA).[2] In 2024, he was a runway model for the Nigerian fashion label, Ugo Monye, during London Fashion Week, drawing media coverage for incorporating traditional Yoruba royal attire into the showcase.[6] In June 2026, Labode was made the face of a new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Father’s Day campaign.[8][9][10]
Under the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation, he launched "Egbaliganza" during the 2025 Lisabi Festival.[3][11][12][13] The project focuses on the preservation of cultural history through textile manufacturing, apparel design, and the local empowerment of traditional Egba weavers and tailors.[11][14][15][16]
Traditional leadership
editIn November 2025, the Ogun State Government, in conjunction with the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, formally appointed Labode as the new Aare of Egbaland.[3][17] The office of the Aare Egba is historically recognized as a supreme strategic and defensive role in Egba history, and has evolved into a portfolio for cultural guardianship and regional economic diplomacy.[3]
Aside from being the Aare, he holds the traditional titles of (Balogun) Kurunmi of Ijaye, Apagun Pote of Ibadan Gbagura, and the Aribidesi of Orile-Igbon.[1][5][18][19] Through the Agbongbo Akala Alliance for Development, he spearheaded the establishment of the Egba Museum of Heritage and Culture to preserve ancestral Yoruba artifacts and historical narratives.[5]
References
edit- 1 2 3 Style (11 July 2026). "When Style Meets Heritage: Dr. Lai Labode on Fashion, Culture and Leadership". ThisDay Style. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Ogun State appoints fashion icon, Labode, as Aare of Egbaland". The Guardian Nigeria. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "The historic confirmation of Balogun Lai Labode PhD. as Aare of Egbaland". BusinessDay. 21 June 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "New Era Beckons As Balogun Lai Labode Becomes Youngest Aare Of Egbaland". 20 November 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Lai Labode Ph.D, Osi-Apagun of Egba Land Is Unlocking Societal Limitations". BellaNaija. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Lai Labode: Reshaping Nigeria's Business Landscape, Making Global Impact". ThisDay Live. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Osi-Apagun Lai Labode Ph.D's shines as a fashion and business powerhouse". The Sun Nigeria. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Okonkwo, Amarachi (21 June 2026). "Aare (Prof) Lai Labode and Johnnie Walker Blue Label celebrate legacy in Father's Day campaign". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ BellaNaija.com (23 June 2026). "A Quiet Toast to Fatherhood: How Johnnie Walker Blue Label Celebrates Aare (Prof) Lai Labode". BellaNaija. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Aare (Prof) Lai Labode Honours Fatherhood with a Sip of Johnnie Walker Blue Label in New Father's Day Campaign – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Lai Labode on mission to redefine Egba fashion on global stage". Punch Newspapers. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Rapheal (20 March 2026). "Egbaliganza 2026 unveils Africa's first culture, fashion exchange". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Mohammed, Subair (26 February 2026). "Lisabi festival remains sacred, not commercial — Committee". Tribune Online. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Egbaliganza: Lai Labode rewriting Egba, African history through fashion". The Nation. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Falade, Tomi (4 April 2026). "Gold, Grit, Glamour: How Lai Labode Turned Egbaliganza 2026 Into Nigeria's Fashion Olympics". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Egodo-Michael, Oghenovo (26 April 2025). "Lai Labode on mission to redefine Egba fashion on global stage". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lai Labode Appointed New Aare Agba – THISDAYLIVE". Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ "Ogun NUJ Scribe Hails Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, Kurunmi Of Ijaye-Egbaland On His Anniversary". EDU-BIZNEWS. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Oyeniran, Apata (20 June 2025). "Lai Labode, Proponent Of Egbaliganza, Installed As Balogun Of Ijaye, Abeokuta". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 13 July 2026.