About FreeIgboho.com's Creator
Meet Toyin Dawodu
Toyin Dawodu is an outspoken human rights advocate, championing the social and economic rights and well-being of Africans and diasporans. He has been a constant presence in the global media pushing for the humane and equitable treatment of Africans and descendants anywhere inequality exists.
Dawodu immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria by way of England in the early 1980s, to pursue higher education and better employment opportunities. Since then, Dawodu has enjoyed a long list of hard-won accomplishments.
Education
Dawodu arrived in the US in the mid-1980s with a degree in Food and Dairy Technology from South Bank Polytechnic in London. In order to make himself more valuable to the US job market, he attended California State University at San Bernadino where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA in Business Marketing.
Professional Achievements
Fresh out of college and full of ideas, Toyin launched his first two businesses simultaneously – Associated Marketing, a B2B marketing firm, and Destiny Products, a cosmetics manufacturing, and marketing company.
A year later, Mr. Dawodu redirected his energy to auto sales. He quickly learned the business and outperformed his peers, becoming the top salesperson within his first two months on the job.
He founded Zxmail.com, an email platform that had some 50,000 users worldwide and processed more than 20 million messages per day by the year 2000. Mr. Dawodu also developed productivity tools for small businesses, including a web-based innovation called Virtual Desk that digitized physical files and allowed users to access their “work desk” remotely. The technology was the predecessor to programs that are still in use today.
After several tries (and several setbacks) Mr. Dawodu ventured successfully into real estate where he has made his mark as a real estate investor. Over the course of the past 20 years, he has bought and sold more than 400 residential properties and amassed a portfolio worth more than USD $50 million.
Investing in Nigerian Talent
In 2005, Toyin invested in two Nigerian feature films on which he served as Executive Producer of 30 Days and Close Enemies.
The Magic of Real Estate
Success hasn’t come easily for Dawodu. It has been his ability to identify lucrative opportunities coupled with his trademark self-determination that has allowed him to be successful in so many ventures. So, Mr. Dawodu understands the financial and mental challenges new investors must face and overcome to be successful in business.
He is the author and creator of The Magic of Real Estate, an investment handbook written for anyone looking to create another income stream. The Magic of Real Estate is not your typical investment guide. It’s a life manual that teaches regular people the skill of making money.
Awards and Accolades
Toyin was nominated for his achievement in Technical Ingenuity, in recognition of the outstanding vision, ingenuity, and dedication that transform technology into new products and companies, enhancing the economic development of the Inland Empire. He is also the recipient of NAACP Freedom Fund Award.
Is there a future for Nigeria?
There are 206 million people in Nigeria. Yorubaland makes up 15.5% (about 32 million people) of Nigerians. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and has the continent’s largest economy.
But Nigerians who remain in Nigeria have an average life expectancy of 55 years old – which is 20 to 30 years less than our European counterparts? And nearly half the population live in abject poverty while leaders assume no responsibility for ensuring the commonwealth of those who do not rule as part of the elite.
Nigeria is one of the most valuable regions on the continent in terms of natural resources. Nigeria is the 5th largest producer of crude oil on the planet. Nigeria is essential to the African economy, and Nigerians are the only ones who are not benefitting from the wealth of our land.
Nigeria has the highest GDP in Africa, at more than $480 billion (USD equivalent). The next closest nation is Egypt at $396 billion and South Africa at $330 billion.
But both South Africans (with $6100 GDP per capita) and Egyptians (with $3974 GDP per capita) far surpass Nigerians ($2272 GDP per capita) when it comes to spending power.
Nigerians are impoverished and it’s not because Nigeria is poor.
Where are the obas? Where are the leaders who have been entrusted to carry forth the Nigerian traditions, pride, and self-determination?
In the absence of powerful, self-assured leaders, a Yoruba son, Sunday Igboho, has stepped forward to champion for a people who have suffered lack and disenfranchisement long enough.
