Taopheek Babayeju, the dynamic CEO of iCentra and a globally respected authority on project management and digital transformation, opens up about his inspiring journey.

With over 20 years of experience, Babayeju has championed impactful initiatives, from spearheading transformative projects across industries to mentoring Africa’s next generation of leaders.

A passionate advocate for innovation, he has steered the company into a global powerhouse while supporting young professionals through programs like #Project1500. In this candid conversation, Babayeju delves into his philosophy on leadership, the role of technology in Africa’s development, and the key lessons he has learned in navigating challenges in an ever-evolving business landscape.

In this interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s Johnson Chukwueke, we explore the story behind the man who is transforming businesses and inspiring a continent to dream bigger, innovate boldly, and act decisively.

It’s always best to start from the beginning. How about you tell us a bit about your journey to your current position and what initially sparked your interest in your field?

My professional journey began in 2000 when I served as a NYSC youth corp member at the defunct Mtel. After service, I worked briefly at Sony Ericsson as a service centre manager.

From there, I set up a company with a friend, and we failed. Then, I summoned the courage to start again by setting up a gadget service centre, from which I made my first million and travelled to the UK Telecoms Academy to fulfil my dream of becoming a telecoms engineer. Upon my return to Nigeria, Mtel called and offered me a position as a project engineer. From there, I discovered my passion for project management. Transitioning to project management allowed me to channel my technical and leadership skills into managing complex projects.

In 2009, I held the first national project management conference (ProMaCon) in Nigeria, which aimed to institutionalise project management best practices in Nigeria and Africa. I sustained the ProMaCon initiative for a decade. However, establishing iCentra in the same year (2009) was the culmination of my interest in creating sustainable business and technology solutions across sectors, especially in Africa.

In 2019, we established iCentra in Texas to serve the North American market. My passion has always been building solutions that contribute to lasting impact, which continues to fuel my work today. There is no beginning without some sort of hindrance, so I would like to know what some major challenges you faced when starting your career were and how you overcame them.

Starting, one major hurdle was navigating the shift from technical roles to leadership and management, where relationship management and leadership skills were critical. As a network engineer, I was used to solving problems independently, but as a management and technology consultant, I had to focus more on collaborative problem solving and understand the importance of each team member’s contributions to transformation. I also faced challenges in creating a business in a market that didn’t widely embrace project management at the time. Developing emotional intelligence, improving communication, and understanding leadership dynamics became crucial.

I worked on these areas through formal training, mentorship, and real-world experience, which helped me build trust with clients and establish iCentra as a leader in transformation.

Out of your many achievements, which do you feel has had the most impact on your career?

Convening Nigeria’s first National Project Management Conference, ProMaCon, in 2009 was a pivotal moment. It was the first time project management had a large-scale platform in Nigeria, and the conference sparked a national conversation on the value of project management for economic development. ProMaCon allowed me to bring together industry leaders, government officials, and professionals to champion the role of structured project management.

This initiative validated the importance of project management in Nigeria, created lasting networks, and showed me how bringing people together can create a movement for positive change. It has continued to impact the field by setting a standard for project management conferences in Nigeria.

You were recently named Project Management Institute(PMI) Global Person of the Year, what is the significance of this for you and the continent of Africa?

Being named PMI Global Person of the Year is an incredible honour, representing years of hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit to elevate project management in Nigeria and beyond. This award signifies a global recognition of excellence from Africa, highlighting that impactful work is happening here. For Africa, it’s a milestone that signals to emerging professionals that our contributions are globally valued and that we are part of a larger community shaping the future of work and industry.

This award is both a personal and collective achievement, reinforcing my commitment to empowering African professionals to achieve global standards in project management.

You have worked on your leadership skills for years, so how would you describe your leadership style, and how has it changed over the years?

My leadership style is inclusive, empowering, and vision-driven. When I started, I was primarily focused on achieving results efficiently, sometimes overlooking the importance of team alignment and motivation.

Over the years, I learned that successful leadership is about creating an environment where team members feel valued and understood. Today, at iCentra, I lead by encouraging open communication, recognising individual strengths, and aligning our collective goals with the organisational mission. I aim to foster an environment of trust where people are empowered to contribute ideas and take ownership of their work. Adaptability has also become essential, as each project and team requires a tailored approach to leadership.

Who would you say are some mentors that have impacted you?

My journey has been shaped by mentors who are visionary, empathetic, and grounded, such as Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Engr. Bayo Adeola and many others who have shaped my career. They taught me the importance of purpose-driven work, resilience, and balancing professional goals with a commitment to societal progress.

One of my mentors, Dr. Akin Oparison, once advised me to prioritise people over processes, a piece of wisdom that reshaped my approach to leadership. Learning from people who’ve successfully navigated challenges has given me perspective and a framework for navigating complex decisions. Their mentorship has been invaluable, not just in my career but in personal growth as well.

In business, learning is a continuous process, how do you stay updated and continue learning in your industry?

In our fast-evolving industry, continuous learning is key. I regularly engage with thought leaders in the fields of technology, consulting, and project management, attend global conferences, and keep up with the latest publications and certifications.

I also find practical learning through hands-on project experience incredibly valuable, as each project brings unique challenges. Additionally, interacting with industry peers worldwide gives me diverse perspectives on how to address new challenges. Staying updated helps me bring innovative solutions to iCentra and keeps our work aligned with the latest industry standards.

Your company, iCentra, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. What has kept you going?

iCentra’s mission to transform people and organisations by leveraging innovation and technology is deeply fulfilling. Knowing that our work is helping shape the future keeps me driven. Another motivating factor is our commitment to empowering young professionals, especially within iCentra and seeing their growth. The belief that our work contributes to national and human capital development by providing much-needed solutions keeps me pushing forward.

What would you say is your approach to strategy development and execution when it comes to expanding iCentra?

When developing strategies for iCentra’s expansion, we prioritise alignment with our core mission and values, ensuring that we take on projects that genuinely contribute value. We also emphasise research to understand market needs and identify how we can uniquely address them. Strategic partnerships play a significant role, as they allow us to expand our reach and influence.

Execution involves mobilising the right talent, setting clear goals, fostering an agile approach, and consistently measuring our impact. I believe in iterative learning and adjusting our strategies based on real-world results to ensure sustained growth.

What are your long-term goals for yourself and not just iCentra, but other business ventures?

Long-term, I envision iCentra expanding its footprint to impact more regions globally while continuing to drive solutions for sustainable development across the world. I also want to dedicate more time to mentoring young professionals and influencing policies. Beyond iCentra, my goal is to contribute to initiatives that foster economic progress and societal development in Africa, positioning the continent as a global leader in innovation and sustainability.

What advice would you give to young professionals aiming for success in your field?

My advice is to be adaptable, prioritise learning, and seek out mentors. Your career growth is determined by the skills you acquire and the network you build. Focus on gaining experience over immediate rewards, as each challenge provides valuable lessons. Building resilience is also essential—success often comes after setbacks.

Networking must be of utmost importance to you. Do you have any tips for building strong professional relationships?

Networking is not just about making connections; it’s about building relationships based on authenticity, trust, and mutual benefit. Show genuine interest in others, be willing to give without expecting immediate returns, and invest time in understanding people’s values.

Networking is about creating lasting relationships that support both personal and professional growth.

When it comes to personal milestones, are there any that you believe played a vital role in shaping who you are?

Reflecting on 24 years of my career, a few milestones stand out, like my first entrepreneurial experiment, starting my first business and failing, setting up my service centre, convening Nigeria’s first project management conference, and establishing iCentra. Each of these experiences taught me resilience and the value of patience and determination. These milestones helped me refine my vision and build the confidence to pursue large scale goals.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind, both professionally and personally?

I hope to leave a legacy of positive impact and empowerment. Professionally, I want to continue to drive the transformation of people and organisations for excellent performance.

Personally, I hope to be remembered for uplifting others, building bridges for future leaders, and contributing to societal progress. I want my work to inspire others to pursue excellence and impact.

Let’s have a quick one concerning your work-life balance. What practices help you stay balanced?

Balancing work and life is essential to sustaining high performance.

I practice intentional solitude and reflection, which allows me to recharge and maintain focus.

Spending time with family, staying active and fit, and disconnecting when needed help me find equilibrium.

Scheduling downtime is something I prioritise to ensure that my productivity remains high.

Johnson Chukwueke
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