Over the last few years in Nigeria, a new set of stylish celebrity men has emerged on the scene. They are men who pay a lot of attention to how they look and what they wear.
They can be called power dressers because they are very finicky about their looks. You can easily tell, when you see them at parties because they know how to look good. From their outfits, to shoes, caps and even accessories like wristwatches, they usually turn out well. At most events which they attend, these men make fashion statements. They belong to different generations. Some are in their late 40s and 50s. Another generation belong to the 60s and 70s, while others are 80s and above. But they all have one thing in common, they are not tired of looking good.
They are easily recognised wherever they go because of their Stylish looks. Below, City People Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI, unveils the style icons who many look up to as dandies.
When it comes to listing celebrity men who are very stylish in Nigeria, the current Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, will top the list any day, any time. Once he became Ooni, he embrace a royal look. He chose White as his predominant colour and he introduced a 7 feet royal walking stick that complements his dressing. And so whenever he steps out, he looks truly royal.
Have you also met the new Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, of late? If you have, you must have noticed that he has stepped up his fashion style big time. He dresses well. He always looks sharp and clean. And he adorns a lot of silver accessories. Don’t forget that his wife is also very stylish. She has a great influence on his dressing.
Let’s also tell you about Oba Saheed Elegushi. He is also very stylish & classy. He dresses well all the time, whether in trads or formal outfit. He never disappoints his admirers whenever he steps out into a party. His wife, Olori Seki, is also a style icon.
Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi who prefers the title of Emperor Telu 1 is also a dandy. Over the last few years he has come up with his own unique style of dressing. He usually looks well in his richly embroidered Agbada. He loves bright colours. His Agbadas are usually made of traditional Ofi fabrics.
Olu of Itori Egbaland, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo is another traditional ruler who looks good all the time. Many don’t know that he was a fashion designer who ran a fashion house before he became a King.
Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.) Adeyemi Olanrewaju Adekeye, the Abepa of Joga Orile is also another King who dresses well. He loves good fabrics and accessories to go with them. Let’s also add HRM Oba Omotunde Alaba Ebiyanmi Adako, the Oliyere of Iyere Kingdom. He is always stylish and wears exquisite jewellery.
How about Governors? Here steps in Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. he is a man of great style, be it in suits or native wears. Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is another governor with a great sartorial elegance.He loves good accessories. Gov. Akeredolu also looks good all the time, so also is Gov. Kayode Fayemi, who has stepped up his dressing since he became Governor. These days, he now wears well-tailored trads.
Let’s also tell you about Hon. Taoreed Shina Peller, the House of Reps member representing Iseyin. He is one of the best dressed men in Nigeria. He has his unique style statements. His trads are designed by Ibadan-based designer, Bashy Kuti, the CEO of BKK.
Alhaji Bashy Kuti is also a great dresser. What do you expect from a great designer like him. Whenever Bashy enters a party, he always attracts attention. He wears trendy Agbada and Kaftans. And he also makes others look good. No wonder, his clientele base has grown over the years.
His friend, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, is another great dresser. He is one guy who pays attention to his looks. He does not joke with his dressing. He wears good quality fabrics & accessories. He is handsome and carries what he wears well.
Otunba Bimbo Ashiru also makes the list. He is well known for being a good dresser. He loves good exquisite fabrics and accessories. He never steps out of his house without looking good whether in English or native wears. So good does he looks all the time that his former boss, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who also dresses well has repeatedly commended him for his sartorial elegance.
K1 is another man of style. Since he took up the Maiyegun of Yorubaland title he has changed his dressing style. Now, he wears this Buba & Skirt, reminiscent of the old Lagos traditional Chiefs wears. B.K.K is his designer.
Let’s tell you about Teddy Shine whose real name is Alhaji Tunde Osinowo. He also dresses well. Alhaji Babatunde Olugboro also makes the list. Let’s add Saheed Fowosere Gafo in Ibadan. He owns a nite club in Ibadan called INFINITY. Femi Otedola ,the oil guru is also stylish. His penchant for white attire is also out of this world. Even when you see him wearing casuals, you can tell he is wearing designer brands which he often flaunts on his Instagram page. Give it to Aremo Segun Oniru, the handsome and rich son of the late first class Monarch, Oba Idowu Oniru, you can never find him wanting in the style sector. He has a glowing skin to go with it. He is always on the best dressed list. What of Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Senator Olorunimbe Mamora? These 2 lawmakers are also style-savvy. They both appear nice and stylish when you see them in public. Both also have a signature cap. It is very rare you see them without wearing caps. Former Lagos Commissioner for Information, Dele Alake’s tall frame sells him off naturally when he dresses. He is also one of the stylish men who love to look good always. Former Lagos Deputy Governor and astute banker, Otunba Femi Pedro’s corporate background says it all. Whether he wears native or suit, his combinations are always topnotch. What of the former Skye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni. He does not joke with his looks. With all at his beck and call, he never fails to step up his style game.
Aig Aig-Imkhouede is another handsome bank CEO who looks good all the time. He always looks dapper in suits. He has a great physique that makes anything he wears fits him.
How about Pastor Ituah Igbodalo? He is a great dresser, just like his brother, Asue Ighodalo, the corporate Lawyer. Both look good in Suits.
Afo Guarantor is another great dresser Chief Afolabi Sodunke is a successful businessman in Abeokuta. He is into Construction. Mostly, he wears natives. He wears most richly embroidered Agbads and Caps. He is a socialite and a Senior boy in that sector. He loves to party.
Skymit Motor’s boss, Tayo Ayeni, is also very stylish. He is one of the good-looking men in the style department. You need no soothsayer to tell you about the extra stylish sophisticat boss, Lanre Ogunlesi, who keeps looking younger than his age. He is a style catalogue on his own right. Much so with what he does as a foremost fashion designer, he practics what he preaches and no wonder the handsome man who is in his 60s never looks it. Auto big man, Ineh Mic Motor’s boss, Mike Inegbese, has a unique way of dressing and does not participate in Aso-Ebi things. He is always different in his combination of outfit. He has since been a jacket and face cap kind of man. Even when he is wearing native, he uses face cap and he never settles for cheap designers. He wears top range designers. Prince Lanre Tejuosho, son of Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, is also on this list. The fresh-looking ex-Lawmaker appears good mostly in his native attire with his cap. He has good taste for quality things.
CMC Connect boss, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya is on this list. He is also very stylish. Be it in native or English wear, he knows how to pair them so well. For the real estate giant,Olu Okeowo, nobody needs to tell you that he carries himself with so much finnese as it is always palpable. He is a power dresser, From his outfits, to shoes, to wristwatches, you can be sure that his look at a go is overly expensive, and this is how he appears anytime you see him steps out. He also has a huge look to complement his status so everything he wears sits well on him. Popular lawyer, Eyimofe Atake, has won several awards in the style sector. He is style savvy. He never jokes with his looks. He is so much particular about the way he looks. Take a trip to his Instagram page, even if you don’t know him, you will instantly be an ardent follower. The very English man gives attention to his looks from head to toe. His outfits, belts, shoes, socks, wristwatches in fact, up to the bags he carries, you will notice they are expensive high end brands which he sources from top brands abroad. In a nut shell,he is a designer man.
Bimbo Ogunbanjo, who is the NSE President, knows how to look good. His brothers, Senator Tokunbo and Lekan Ogunbanjo are also core corporate men, who are very particular about their outfits. The 3 were conferred with Otunba Title, in Erunwon Ijebu same day. The boss of Leadway Assurance, Oye Hassan Odukale, is also another corporate player, who knows how to spend his money and also looks good. Paper merchant, Bayo Abdul, has a sartorial style that is very unique. He is very eventful when it comes to fashion that you can be sure no person wears the same thing with him at parties. He is very fashionable. Dr Bode Tawak is the Otun Giwa of Egbe Bobakeye in Ijebu. He is a very stylish man too.
What of the boss of the prestigious Gaso Lucio event centre in Ibadan? Ganiu Shonubi needs little introduction as well, he is also one of the regular faces who always grace Lagos parties. He is also on the list of power dressers. On this list is Otunba Subomi Balogun’s 2 sons, who are also very rich, Bolaji and Ladi Balogun. Bolaji is the MD of Chapel Hill Denham and a board member of Lafarge Africa Plc, while Ladi is the GMD of FCMB. They are lovers of tuxedos, and you will not find them wearing cheap suits. Their shoes and wristwatches are also top designer brands.
What of foremost Architect and real estate big player, Otunba Ademola Odutola. He chooses the parties he goes to and he is very stylish.
The Osibodu brothers, Gbolade, Owoseni and Kehinde too are not left out. They are corporate men who also know how to make statement in their native wears.
Former Ogun Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is another prominent socialite whose style is exceptional. The former governor never disappoints admirers in the style department. He loves to look good and he has kept up that standard for many years.
What of the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi? He is very stylish. He is one of the northern men who do not joke with the way they look. When he was the CBN’s boss, his suits were out of this world. You can never see him without his matching ties. He chose his colours carefully and when he ascended the throne as the emir of Kano, his regalia were the most stylish and most expensive. His turbans were always colourful even up until now that he has dropped the crown physique. He never ceases to look stylish. His petite has also worked well as it complements his looks.
Real estate expert, Adron’s boss, Emmanuel King, is on this list. He also loves to look good anytime he steps out. Troyka Group boss, Mr Biodun Shobanjo is a boardroom guru anytime anyday. So, you will mostly see him in his 3-piece tuxedo or expensive single suits. The ex-Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has good looks and he uses it to complement the way he looks as well. Foremost bank topshots, Herbert Wigwe and Segun Agbaje and Tony Elumelu, are great trio who have scored high in the style department when it comes to the financial sector. They are unique in the way they dress especially Tony Elumelu, who never fails to brief us of his expensive outfits each day. He is very vibrant and active on his social media page that when you see him, you will know he does not joke with the way he looks. In fact, to complement his looks, he has been doing exercises to look fit and trimmed, no wonder, he dazzles on his page with his luxury outfits, shoes, his tuxedo suit which, matches his accessories and all. Award-winning comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly called AY will cart away the prize for Best dressed showbiz Star if there is any. He is known for his penchant for luxury style. He never jokes with the way he looks. Be it native, English and casual wears, he is always on point.
Award-winning journalist and businessman, Lanre Alfred, is also on this list, if you are in doubt, check him out his personal page on Instagram. A trial will surely convince you. He is known to always wear designer brands, which he readily shops around the world. Naija pastors are also not left out, on this list is ever stylish Pastor, Paul Adefarasin does not joke with his looks, his style is very unique and he also has a good physique to carry it. So also is Pastor Tony Rapu, he will make The best-dressed man of God list, many time anyday, not forgetting, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo. He is a stylish man and very unapologetic about it. Pastor Sam Adeyemi also loves to look good. He is very stylish too. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome looks good and also dresses good. He is always a template of style catalogue for many pastors. Pastor Feb Idahosa too makes this list.They are all power dressers. Celebrity designer, Mai Atafo, will surely make this list. Though he designs for ladies, but he dresses so well coordinated with his choice of outfits.
What of Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Folarin Ogunsawo? They are well grounded in the style sector that their own royalty outfits come with class.
Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, is also a power dresser. Globacom topshot, Chief Niyi Adewunmi, is a style man. If you have seen him at a party, you will testify to the fact that he knows what time it is when it comes to dressing up. Pastor Idowu Iluyomade of City of David is also on this list. He is a power dresser too. What of Jim Ovia? He is among the bank executives whose corporate looks will wow you. Oando’s boss, Wale Tinubu, too is a corporate elite whose love for tuxedo suits is second to none. He is a good example of style connoisseur.
Handsome corporate guru, Dapo Ojo, is a power dresser as well. Not missing chief Bolu akin Olugbade on this list. The Rolls Royce loving man has all that money can buy. No wonder, the titled chief always wows admirers with his sartorial attire at all times. He is known to always wear expensive fashion accesories. Billionaire, Tunde Folawiyo, is also style savvy. He has also dazzled people back to back with his exquisite style of dressing.
Ex-Tax boss, Tunde Fowler, is also on this list. So also is ex-Police boss, Tunji Alapinni. He has a good style taste. Among the category is the Lagos big boy, Oba Adebola Dosunmu popularly known as Akinsiku of Lagos. He is also very stylish.
What of TV Personality, Ebuka? He will surely beat many with his style. He is always up to-date and known to always promote African designs with what he wears. He is a lover of bespoke outfits.Singer Timi Dakolo and Banky W are on this list.They are always well dressed too. What of actors, RMD and Ramsey Noah, they are TV favourites anyday anytime. They are known to be powerful dressers.
Many of these celebrity men who we have mentioned above have only come out to build on the foundations earlier built by the grandmasters who are in their 70s & 80s. We are talking about the likes of FCMB Founder,Otunba Subomi Balogun, Aro of the source, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Sunny Kuku, Eleganza’s boss, Rasak Okoya, Supreme Court Justice, Sola Oguntade, Prince Adekunle Ojora, Ibadan High Chief, Kola Daisi, Honeywell’s Chairman, Oba Otudeko, Sunny Motor’s boss, Chief Sunny Asemota, Chief Akin Disu, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Toyota Elizade’s boss, Chief Micheal Adeojo, Lotto’s boss, Kessington Adebutu,Chief Akin Olugbade, and Prof Wale Omole have over the years remained some of the Nigeria’s big time socialites and successful men around and that is the truth. You can never catch them unkept. Even as they advance in age, they seem to appear younger, handsome and stylish. If you have ever noticed how these men appear at social or corporate functions, you can bet, they attract attention with their selection of outfits, shoes with a lot of finnesse. Otunba Subomi, the foremost banker and founder of FCMB is a white- loving man. He is very stylish. You can never see him wearing other colour of fabrics. He matches his outfit with his designer walking stick, cap, shoes and even his cars. Let’s also quickly tell you that his palatial mansions both in Ijebu and Lagos are painted white. Aro of the source, Chief Alex Duduyemi is another powerful dresser, the first thing that will captivate you about his dressing is his expensive long gold and coral chain. He also has some handmade designer shoes he pairs with his outfits. The Agbada-loving man also lives in a White House in Ife, Osun State and Lagos. What of Prince Adekunle Ojora, the grandmaster of Nigeria? social establishment? Hardly will you not see him at ‘A’-list parties. He is always a delight to behold. He wears the most expensive swiss polished outfits and has a signature cap.The duo of Eleganza’s boss, Chief Rasak Okoya and Supreme Court former Justice, Sola Oguntade are a pair. They are 2 inseperable friends who also look nice in their expensive outfits with their long gold chains. The likes of lotto boss, Kesington Adebutu also scores high in fashion. He is always seen dressed well in expensive outfits from head to toes. His style is very simple, but expensive. He chooses his outfits carefully. He is known to also have a great style. Chief Sunny Kuku is on this list too. He is a man who knows what fits him. He also loves to wear long chains. His style of cap is always round. What of foremost billioinaire, Funmilola Okunowo? He has a penchant for wearing expensive shoes and wristwatches. He knows how to combine colours when he dresses. His brother, Bukunola Osinowo, is no small fry when it comes to fashion. He dresses to the nines.
Other super rich men like Chief Sunny Asemota, Chief Micheal Adojo are also powerful dressers.
-TAYO OYEDIJI
