Tofunmi Akinseye bags Doctorate in media technology, PR management

Media entrepreneur and public relations expert, Tofunmi Akinseye, has recently been conferred with a Distinguished Fellowship Doctorate in Media Technology and Public Relations Management by the Institute of Strategic Business Management and Public Administration (ISBMPA), headquartered in Ghana.

Akinseye, the founder of Savvy Media Africa, described the recognition as a deeply humbling moment, particularly given her experience building a business in Nigeria without what she described as leverage or a safety net.

“Moments like this humble me deeply, especially as an entrepreneur building in Nigeria with no leverage,” she said.

Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Akinseye acknowledged the challenges of building a business in Nigeria, noting that she has relied on bootstrapping throughout her adult life.

“Building a business in Nigeria is difficult. Extreme emphasis on difficult. Especially when you have no leverage, no safety net, no rich uncle. All my adult life, all I have known is bootstrapping,” she said.

Despite the difficulties and questions she has faced about her decision to continue building in Nigeria, Akinseye said she remains committed to the country and believes abandoning the work she has invested years building would be counterproductive.

“But it is hard for people like us to give up on this country. We have invested too much of ourselves in it. It would be counterproductive to build all of this and abandon it midway,” she said.

Describing her entrepreneurial journey as a period of growth and preparation, Akinseye said the efforts being made today could become the foundation for future success.

“I have come to accept that this season is a burning process. A refining time. Everything we are doing now is planting seeds for the future,” she said.

Looking ahead, she expressed hope that her work would eventually place her among the leading figures in the industry while creating meaningful impact in society.

“My hope is that in the next decade or two, when industry giants in our space are mentioned, our names will be on that list. That our impact will transcend into real value for society. And that we become living proof for people who look like me, people from backgrounds like mine, that you can build something great from right here,” she said.

Akinseye thanked the ISBMPA for the recognition and dedicated the honour to people who continue to build quietly despite the challenges.

“Today I receive this honour. And I receive it on behalf of every person who is in that quiet season right now. Still building. Still holding the standard. Still showing up.

“Your work is speaking. Even when you can’t hear it yet.”