When the founder and CEO of Twelve Baskets, Michael Owolabi Afolaranmi, turned 50-year-old, the city of Lagos attested to this celebration of a humble beginning as all roads led to The Balmoral, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, last Sunday.
  
The event was attended by people from all walks of life as they celebrated a great entrepreneur who ventured into small-chops business about 23-years ago, which has now become a household name in Nigeria with Headquarters at Lekki, other branches in Sura, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Abuja and International Airport brand set to open in July.
  
According to the entrepreneur, though the idea of small chops seemed lowly to many at the time, to him, it was a stepping stone and a divine spark that turned into a legacy.
  
Afolaranmi revealed that the name ‘12 Baskets’ wasn’t a branding gimmick. It was birthed from the gospel story of divine provision—where Jesus fed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes, and still had 12 baskets full of leftovers. That image of (overflow) became Michael’s foundational belief. “What God blesses always multiplies. That’s the spirit of 12 baskets. The first branch of 12 Baskets was in Sura Market, close to my mother’s old spot in Obalende. But before this branch, I was managing somewhere at Ikeja, where the acorn seeds first got planted before Sura came about. From that humble location, the brand has grown into a multi-million Naira conglomerate.”
  
He further noted that the 12 Baskets Houston, USA international branch, is gathering momentum, and God willing would be launched with the required fanfare before the end of 2025 too.

“Today, 12 Baskets isn’t just a food company. It’s a diversified group with active interests in: Real Estate & Property (12 Baskets Estates Limited); Logistics & Procurement (12 Baskets Logistics); 12 Baskets Travel & Tours; Fashion, Style & Lifestyle (Style by 12); Inspired by 12; 12 Baskets Academy; 12 Baskets Food Foundation and 12 Baskets Plus.”
  
Beyond the business brilliance lies a beating heart of compassion. Michael is as much a philanthropist as he is a pastor, having been ordained over a decade ago by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the RCCG. His newly established Michael Afolaranmi (MA) Foundation is a dream extension of his soul.

The mission he said is to empower youths through free entrepreneurial training and support, helping them rise like he once did from frying pans to boardrooms. “I was helped by God alone. So now I must help others – not with talk, but with tools.”