On September 15, 2025, friends, family, business associates and stakeholders in the Nigerian hospitality industry gathered at Citiheight Hotel Ikeja to celebrate Olufemi Talabi, a lawyer and most importantly, founder and CEO of Citi Hotel Group, who turned 70 years that day.
The platinum birthday celebration was significant for both the guests and celebrant for the obvious reasons.
They came to celebrate the humility of Talabi, who sits on the board of various companies that cut across law, real estate, hospitality, IT, and media.
For the celebrant, it was an opportunity to appreciate his maker, family and all, for their support, which has been instrumental for the great achievements trailing his career and business ventures.
For the hospitality stakeholders, Talabi is being celebrated for establishing a thriving indigenous hotel chain that has put foreign brands on their toes.
Since opening the first hotel in Area 1, Abuja, on September 18, 2003, Talabi has gone ahead to build and open more with some in the pipeline. The Lekki branch in Lagos, was established in March 2007 and Citiheight Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, the biggest of the three, was opened for business on September 16, 2016.
Not relenting, he took a more ambitious project with his Ikoyi hotel, a new and massive property, which is almost set for opening.
The many Nigerians who are employed by the indigenous hotel chain, their families, those who are continually trained in various hospitality skills, suppliers and partners, all joined in celebrating their own for his visionary investment in the sector that has empowered them and changed the industry status quo.
The employees cannot forget in a hurry Talabi’s benevolence during the pandemic, where their salaries were being paid despite the lockdown.
As Austin Tam-George, the guest speaker, noted in his lecture at the birthday celebration, Talabi’s life at 70 years is ‘a legacy etched in purpose’.
Acccordong to him, “To speak of legacy is not merely to count accomplishments or titles — but to consider values lived, lives touched, and impact sustained”.
Earlier in his remarks, Lere Baale, a professor and chairman of the occasion, noted that 70 years is worth celebrating because it is not a small milestone.
“It represents seven decades of purposeful living, consistent hard work, and contributions that have enriched law, banking, enterprise, community, and our nation,” Professor Baale said.
Speaking further, the university don described Talabi’s journey as both inspiring and instructive, noting that from his early days in banking to his bold pursuit of law, he has demonstrated that courage to follow one’s calling is the beginning of greatness.
“As a corporate lawyer, arbitrator, real estate builder, hospitality investor, and philanthropist, his story teaches us that legacy is not built overnight but is the product of integrity, diligence, and service,” he said.
Also, the alumni of Molusi College Old Students Association (MOCOSA) were full of prise for their former president whose tenure brough face-lift to their alma mater.
Muyiwa Ogunyemi, one of the school’s old boys, extolled Talabi’s humility and philanthropy, which he has benefited from.
Talabi, a quiet philanthropist, has a running scholarship scheme that
supports indigent students from primary school to tertiary education, amid support for the elderly, covering medical bills and steady monthly supply of essential medication.
However, in celebration of the milestone birthday, Talabi has committed to the construction of an ultra-modern
office complex, which he is donating to the Lagos State University Teaching
Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
Ayo Talabi, his immediate senior brother, noted that he has been exceptional among his siblings, studious, humble and hard working.
He noted that the Talabi family is not surprised at the great height he is today because of his enviable character, even as a child.
For the wife, he is the best husband and friend, while the children see him as a mentor, guide, best father and role model.
In his speech at the event, Talabi expressed excitement for being happy with himself, amid great achievements trailing his 70 years existence.
“I am so happy with myself, particularly when I look at how I started and how God has been so gracious to me with a good wife and children. I truly thank God for his mercy upon me,” he said.
The lawyer also insisted that hard work pays. “I am an advocate of hardwork. Anything you acquire without hardwork does not last.
“Hard work goes with patience. When you are patient, you can attain to any height following the right principles”.
While he has no regret because he has always taken life easy, he also expressed a sense of deep fulfilment with his family.
“My children give me joy. All of them are doing very well in their chosen professions.
Some of them are PhD holders. What is it that I want that God has not done for me. I praise God for His mercy and grace upon me and my family,” the celebrant concluded.
