Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Kwara State, made a remarkable stride in academic excellence as it hosted its First International Visiting Scholar Lecture on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The event, themed “Building Value-Driven Processes in Achieving Success: Focusing on ‘the How’ More than ‘the What’,” brought together the University Management Team, Principal Officers, distinguished staff, and students for an inspiring session on leadership, ethics, and value-based success.
The lecture was delivered by Mr. Tunde Ogunje, CPA, CGMA, MDP, MEDI, Lead Consultant at EPS Management Consulting Inc., Winnipeg, Canada, who was physically present at the event. In her opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, warmly welcomed the guest speaker, commending his dedication in traveling down to Nigeria to deliver the maiden lecture. She also appreciated the staff and students in attendance, encouraging them to learn from the speaker’s wealth of international experience before declaring the event open.
The host of the event, Dr. Samuel Farohunbi, Director of the TAU Career Centre, underscored the significance of the lecture series as a platform for intellectual exchange, industry engagement, and global collaboration. The guest lecturer’s citation was read, highlighting his extensive achievements and professional milestones.
Mr. Tunde Ogunje is a seasoned accountant, finance and investment professional, and development practitioner with over 20 years of multifaceted experience spanning accounting, capital markets, strategy, and community economic development. He is the Founder and Lead Consultant at EPS Management Consulting Inc., Canada, providing financial management and advisory services to businesses and communities. He has worked with several organizations, including Nature United, where he served as Manitoba’s Community Economic Development Lead, supporting Indigenous communities through capacity-building and sustainable economic programs.
Mr. Ogunje holds dual master’s degrees in Development Practice (University of Winnipeg) and Economic Development and Innovation (University of Waterloo). He is a member of multiple professional bodies, including the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA-UK), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS). He is also an accomplished author, with books such as Beyond Work Experience and Beyond Access to Capital, both of which emphasize value-based leadership and strategic growth.
Taking the stage, Mr. Ogunje expressed his delight at being the first to deliver the international visiting scholar lecture at TAU. He noted that the theme was particularly meaningful to him as a Nigerian, emphasizing the urgent need to rebuild societal values. “The topic applies to individuals, businesses, institutions like Thomas Adewumi University, and even government,” he said.
He explored the dimensions of the theme, stating that while “the what may impress the world, the how defines your legacy,” individuals must prioritize the ethical processes behind success. He urged the audience to reflect deeply on the question: “How proud would you be if people knew how you achieved your success?”
The guest lecturer defined key concepts such as Success, Process, and Value, describing honesty, integrity, discipline, and compassion as the foundational elements of true success. He explained that success involves capacity utilization and disciplined planning, while value-driven processes should always operate within ethical, legal, and moral boundaries.
Addressing the University community, he urged management and faculty to focus on building value-minded students and adopting value-based hiring processes. To students, he advised developing personal values such as integrity, respect, and empathy, alongside strategic personal planning and self-discipline. “Values are not taught by lectures; they are caught by observing how we live,” he added, quoting leadership expert John Maxwell.
The lecture concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants gained further insights on applying value-driven principles within academia, governance, and daily life. At the end of the session, Mr. Ogunje was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and a Letter of Recognition, designating him as an International Visiting Scholar to the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences and the TAU Business School, on the authority of the Founder and Chancellor, Engr. Dr. Johnson Adewumi.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Farohunbi expressed gratitude to the University Management, organizing committee, and all attendees for their support in making the event a resounding success. The lecture, he noted, marked a new beginning in TAU’s journey of global engagement and value-based education.
At Thomas Adewumi University, we remain steadfast in our mission to nurture innovative, ethical, and globally competitive graduates who will transform society through integrity, leadership, and purposeful impact.
