SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT
Name - Mr. Talabi Olatokunbo
Profile
Joseph Olatokunbo Talabi was born on 16th June, 1962, into the family of Pa Olanrewaju and Madam Comfort Adebimpe Talabi from Oru-Ijebu, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria.
For his formal education, Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi was enrolled at the Lagos City Council School, Fadeyi, Lagos, for his elementary education. Thereafter, he proceeded to the prestigious CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos for his secondary education between 1975 and 1980. He finished in flying colours with what is then called Grade One in the WAEC Final examination. In addition, he won several laurels including CMS Grammar School's Best Student/Result in Mathematics and Technical Drawing. He was also the recipient of the Professor C.O. Taiwo’s Awards for the Best Student in Mathematics. In 1980, he gained admission into the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) in 1984. Tokunbo was deployed to the Physiotherapy Department of the State Hospital, Akure, for his one-year statutory National Service under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In 1985, he proceeded to the University of Lagos where he obtained an MBA Degree (Finance Option).
He started his career as an Advert Executive in 1987 with one of the most popular financial newspapers in the land “Nigerian Economist” owned by an Ace Journalist, Mallam Haroun Adamu.
In 1988, he joined John Bedola Enterprises Ltd, Dealer of Banking and Office Automation Equipment Sale/Services, as an Administrative Manager from where he moved to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, as an Assistant Manager in 1990. He was one of the pioneer members of Staff and during his over 8 years stint in the bank, Tokunbo rose through the ranks to head various departments from Head Corporate Support Services, Financial Institution Unit, Loan Workout Unit to Senior Manager, Corporate Banking and finally as Group Head, Retail Banking Operations where he was responsible for the management of all branch operations nationwide.
Tokunbo, in 1998, voluntarily resigned from a banking career to take up entrepreneurial challenge. Thus began the success story of Superflux International Limited. Olatokunbo Talabi brought to fore his diverse Managerial Acumen in the establishment of Superflux International Limited. Under his watch, Super-Flux grew to become a foremost security printing firm in Nigeria and a renowned provider of specialist security and other allied print solutions to Sub-Saharan Africa by 2005. By 2008, the company had built the largest security printing factory in West Africa, commissioned by the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sanusi Lamido. He has also actively invested in the end-to-end Logistics and Supply Chain Management Services with ownership of Courierplus Services Limited –one of the leading courier and logistics company, Flux Pay (Payment Platform) and Flux Logistics Limited - a warehousing and distribution Services Company). Tokunbo is a major shareholder and co-promoter of BitFlux Communications Limited, a Wholesale Broadband Wireless Access Service Provider licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission. He also has considerable interest in VDT Communications Limited, an industry leader in Enterprise Broad Band connectivity service.
Even as a Business Manager, he added to his practical experience as a Manager, as he undertook the Senior Management Programme (SMP4) at the Lagos Business School.
He has since held different positions of responsibility: Chairman, Superflux International Limited, Chairman; Papyrus Investment Limited; Chairman, ATCO Enterprises Limited; Chairman; Courierplus Services Limited, Chairman; Chairman, Flux Logistics Limited; Chairman, Risk Control Services Nig. Limited; Chairman, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc (2013-2015); Director, Investment One, Reddington Multi-Specialist Hospital; Director, Mamacass Restaurants Limited; Director, Redcare Services Limited; Director, Touchdown Travels Limited; Director, Proximity Communications Nig. Limited; Director, Fate Foundation; Chairman, BitFlux Communications Limited; Chairman, City of Knowledge Academy (CKA) and VDT Communications Limited respectively.
He vacated his position in all these Boards as required by Law in service to humanity. Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi is the Secretary to the Government of State in Ogun where he has also brought to bear his experience. This is widely acknowledged in the continued and successful implementation of the “Building Our Future Together” Agenda of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, Governor of Ogun State.
He is a member of various Professional Associations: Deputy President (Finance & Admin.), National Association of Small & Medium Scale Enterprises; Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria; Entrepreneur in Residence - Entrepreneurial Development Centre of the Lagos Business School.
Before now, he has been a recipient of different categories of awards and prizes. Some of which are: Prof. C.O.O. Taiwo Award Best Graduating Student in Mathematics, School Leaving Certificate -1980; Legatum Pioneers of Prosperity, Africa Awards Grand Prize Winner -2008; FATE Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year – 2009.
Olatokunbo is not just a Manager, Administrator and Entrepreneur, he is also a writer. He authored the popular book, The Mind’s Game - An Inspiring Guide for Entrepreneurial Success in 2012.
His hobbies include: Cycling, Table-Tennis, Reading. And, he is also a Specialist in mentoring.
Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi is happily married to his beloved Aderinola. That marriage is blessed with Children.