Celebrating Chief Dele Momodu at 65: A timeless glow and enduring legacy

At a Glance

• Chief Dele Momodu’s legacy spans journalism, business, politics, and philanthropy across Africa.
• He champions education, youth empowerment, and community development with lasting local impact.
• The new Dele Momodu Leadership Center aims to nurture Africa’s next generation of leaders.

At 65, Aare Dr. Dele Momodu stands as a rare amalgam of resilience, intellect, and unshakable vision, a man whose legacy straddles journalism, business, politics, and philanthropy with remarkable ease. For decades, he has shaped not just headlines, but history, empowering generations with stories, opportunities, and leadership pathways that transcend borders. Today, as tributes pour in from across continents to mark his 65th birthday, we are reminded once more that Chief Momodu is not just aging gracefully, he is expanding purposefully.

Honors reflect continental respect

For anyone who has followed Nigeria’s socio-political and media evolution over the past five decades, the name Chief Momodu rings with unmistakable resonance. As Chairman of Ovation Media Group, and the founding force behind Ovation International Magazine, arguably one of Africa’s most recognized lifestyle and celebrity publications, Chief Momodu has long been at the forefront of continental storytelling. But his influence is neither superficial nor self-contained. He has opened doors for countless media professionals, offering mentorship, platforms, and opportunities that have helped elevate Nigerian journalism onto the global stage.

Yet, it is not just the weight of his achievements that commands respect, it is the way he carries them: with humility, authenticity, and an abiding sense of social responsibility. To know Chief Momodu is to understand that his success is not hoarded, but constantly rechanneled into the betterment of others. His titles are many; the Ehanikhaye of Ihievbe Kingdom, the Akinrogun of Gbongan, the Onu Na Ekwuru Oha 1 of Etiti, Abia, the Basorun of Oke-Ila, and even the Kiazolu of Grand Cape Mount County in Liberia. These are not mere ceremonial honors, but enduring testaments to the depth of respect and affection he commands across the continent.

While he has chosen not to engage in full-time politics, Chief Momodu’s influence in Nigeria’s political scene is clear. He has become a trusted voice; one that speaks honestly and fearlessly, guided by principle and a genuine commitment to justice, fairness, and progress. Many see him as a steady and reliable figure in political discussions, someone who consistently advocates for youth empowerment, education, and inclusive governance. It is this clear sense of purpose and integrity that makes him more than just an observer of politics, he is an active part of the country’s ongoing transformation.

Dele Momodu builds for generations

The month of May 2025 has been nothing short of emblematic for the media icon. It began with the unveiling of his family home in Osun State, a tasteful and deeply personal celebration of roots and legacy. Days later, he officially opened an architectural gem in Ihievbe, Edo State, his hometown. But true to the character of the man, this was not just another luxury project. In revitalizing his hometown with paved roads, solar-powered street lighting, and community upgrades, Chief Momodu once again demonstrated his lifelong belief that leadership and charity begin at home, and that development must be as local as it is global. The aesthetics, inspired by the White House in Washington, D.C., were not lost on anyone; the symbolism was clear: greatness belongs everywhere, even in the quiet corners of Nigeria.

But perhaps his most audacious move yet came shortly after, with the launch of the Dele Momodu Leadership Center in the heart of Ibadan, a city once famed for its intellectual glory. The center is more than an edifice, it is a transformative space dedicated to nurturing Africa’s next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Modeled after the world-renowned Bellagio Center Residency Program in Lake Como, Italy, the Leadership Center in Ibadan signals a new chapter in Chief Momodu’s journey, one that fuses vision with institution-building, and legacy with learning.

At the launch, attended by luminaries including Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, Chief Momodu was celebrated not just as a media icon, but as a moral force. Governor Adeleke described him as “a unique breed, a genius within humanity, and a free mind with progressive ideals about our society.” These were not idle compliments. They spoke to a man whose life has been defined by giving—not just in material terms, but through mentorship, advocacy, and the steady hand of example. The governor praised Chief Mrs. Bolaji Momodu, his wife and enduring partner, recognizing her role as a pillar behind one of Nigeria’s most visible public figures.

Education as the ultimate empowerment

Education, for Chief Momodu, remains the highest form of empowerment. His scholarship initiative in 2020, provided full support to 20 young Nigerians—female and male—underscoring his commitment to gender equity and educational access. These are not isolated acts of charity, but building blocks in a broader architecture of transformation, now institutionalized in the new leadership center.

Chief Momodu’s investments are equally telling. From prime real estate in Lagos’ Victoria Island and Eko Atlantic City, to residences in Ghana and the United Kingdom, he curates spaces that inspire aspiration. Yet, these are more than symbols of wealth, they are beacons of what is possible when discipline, vision, and purpose align. He is a man who has never lost sight of where he came from, nor what he stands for.

Now, as Nigeria stands at a crossroads, battling poverty, inequality, and institutional fatigue, Chief Dele Momodu’s 65th birthday becomes more than a personal milestone. It becomes a national moment: a reflection on what is possible when one man chooses to live not just for himself, but for others. His journey from ink-stained newsrooms to political influence, from modest beginnings to global recognition, offers a masterclass in purpose-driven living.