Lagos, Nigeria — At the 28th Convocation Ceremony of Lagos State University (LASU), one of Nigeria’s leading creative industry figures, Tolulope Solomon Ogunleye, popularly known as Drtonez, achieved an outstanding academic milestone. He graduated with a Distinction (CGPA: 4.57) in the Master of Arts in Music Economy, Management, and Digital Culture from LASU’s Department of Music—a remarkable feat that reflects his enduring commitment to bridging the gap between industry practice and academic excellence.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Hillcross Records, Board Chair and Executive Director of Scholarly Art, and Lead Business Process Consultant at Wavy Click Group, Drtonez has demonstrated that a demanding executive career is no obstacle to academic excellence. His return to academia, over a decade after earning a Second Class Upper in his Bachelor’s degree in Music specializing in Music Business, Management and Administration from the same department, is both inspiring and historic.
This academic triumph not only cements his role as a thought leader in Africa’s evolving music economy but also underscores his advocacy for synergy between academia, policy, and professional practice.
Drtonez is a staunch believer in continuous learning. Beyond his degrees, he holds numerous professional qualifications, including diplomas in Operations Management, Project Management, Media and Entertainment, and Business Administration. His certifications span Strategic Management, Brand Management, Corporate Governance, Innovation Management, International Marketing, Creative Entrepreneurship, People Management, and more. He also holds a Certificate in Leading Change Through Policymaking from the British Council and has completed executive courses in Music Business Foundations (Berklee) and International Sport & Entertainment Marketing (Yonsei University) Explore management Concepts through Metaphor and Music, University of London,Managing project risk and Changes University of California, Irvine ,Foundations of Project Management Google, Today Music industry West Virginia University
Reflecting on this milestone, Drtonez stated:
“The academia fuels my passion to advocate for better industry policies and create a balance between theory and practice. Returning to school while actively working was not easy, but graduating with a distinction proves that with vision, it’s possible to do both.”
When asked about the future, he added:
“I plan to pursue a PhD in this same specialization, foster global partnerships, expand into new markets, and take Nigeria’s beautiful music and creative art products to the world—leveraging digital opportunities, container technology, and human networks to make it happen.”
Drtonez’s inspiring academic and professional journey continues to motivate a new generation of music executives, creatives, entertainment leaders, and policymakers across Nigeria and Africa. With over a decade of executive experience, a rich portfolio of certifications, and a globally relevant vision, he is redefining leadership at the intersection of music, business, and culture.
