TPL. TOBA JAMES OYEBANJI, FNITP: A Visionary Shaping Nigeria’s Built Environment and Empowering the Next Generation

The recognition of Tpl. Toba James Oyebanji as one of The Guardian’s "50 Vision-Driven Professionals Adding Value to Nigeria’s Economy" serves as a definitive validation of a career defined by humility, dedication, sacrifice, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. As the
Principal Consultant and CEO of Fortune Plus Consult Limited and a respected academic, Tpl. Oyebanji has spent over two decades shaping Nigeria’s built environment while simultaneously
cultivating the next generation of urban planners. His journey – from a dedicated student in Kwara State to a PhD-holding authority in physical planning – illustrates a trajectory built on
academic rigour and professional integrity.

Born in Lagos in 1975 to the family of Late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oyebanji, Tpl. Oyebanji’s educational journey began in Kwara State, where he attended Christ Anglican Primary School, Ijomu Oro, and later Baboko Community Secondary School, Ilorin. He started his higher education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning with Second Class Honours (Upper Division), finishing as the second-best graduating student in his set in 2001. His thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Lagos for a Master of Science, where he achieved a 4.07 CGPA and produced the best dissertation in his class in 2013. He recently culminated his academic journey with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Bells University of Technology, Ota.

Professional life for Tpl. Oyebanji, who became a fellow member of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in 2020, began during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in 2002 at the Katsina State Urban Planning and Development Authority. He transitioned into full-fledged professional practice in 2007 at Frontline Consultants, one of Nigeria's leading firms, where he rose from Town Planning Officer to General Manager. In this capacity, he coordinated the preparation of technical reports for prestigious clients such as UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC), PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, etc. while securing multi-million-naira contracts through submissions of both technical and financial proposals for competitively bided projects with the Federal and State Government. He also played a key role in designing professional development workshops for various government agencies in Osun and Lagos States. In the past, he was involved in the preparation of Ore Development Plan, Ife-Ilode/Iyekere Flood Prevention and Urban Renewal Plan, etc.

In 2013, Tpl. Oyebanji co-founded Fortune Plus Consult, now Fortune Plus Consult Limited, an organisation that has grown into a powerhouse of over 30 upcoming professionals. A unique
hallmark of his leadership is that nearly half of this staff were his former students, embodying his vision of developing local capacity and growing the people within the firm. Under his guidance as a team leader, the firm has carried out several projects that are numerous to mention for individual clients, real estate development firms, and government establishments.

The sustained relevance of Fortune Plus Consult Limited in a competitive market is driven by a commitment to twelve core values that form the bedrock of its strategy. These values include embracing change and innovation to ensure methodologies remain forward-thinking, serving clients with unflagging diligence and attention to detail, and strategically utilising the team’s
diverse professional strengths to maximise client returns on investment. The firm fosters a feedback-driven culture that welcomes constructive criticism and strict operational discipline to meet goals and deadlines without compromising quality. Furthermore, Tpl. Oyebanji emphasises
professional upskilling, proactive leadership, and a collaborative work environment built on mutual respect and trust. Every member of the team is encouraged to be a proud ambassador of
the organisation, performing their duties with absolute integrity and honesty while aiming to deliver beyond promises.

Tpl. Oyebanji’s impact extends into the classroom at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, where he has been a lecturer since 2017. He identifies the shortage of skilled, well-mentored professionals as a primary challenge for Nigerian businesses and uses his platform to create a "pipeline of talent". This dedication to mentorship was formally honoured in May 2025 with the Professional Mentorship Award from the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch. Beyond his professional and academic roles, he is a frequent contributor to national discourse, having written on critical issues like potable water, energy management, power supply, etc. for The Punch and The Guardian newspapers.

Besides his voluntary service to the nation as a member of Special Marshal in the FRSC, at the heart of Tpl. Oyebanji’s life is a profound sense of love for humanity rooted in Galatians 6:2. His Corporate Social Responsibility activities focus on supporting the weak/poor, particularly indigent students, orphans, and widows. He consistently funds the examination fees for students in his home State – Kwara, as well as in Lagos and Ogun States. For several years, he has provided monthly stipends to students in tertiary institutions across Kaduna, Kano, Kwara,
Lagos, Niger, Ogun and Oyo States. His philanthropy also extends to supporting evangelical work, through monthly donations of funds to various Christian ministries.

Looking toward the future, Tpl. Oyebanji sees vast economic opportunities in Nigeria’s rapid urbanisation. He is positioning Fortune Plus Consult Limited to lead in smart city development,
sustainable land management, and climate-resilient infrastructure through GIS tools and mapping technologies. His advice to young entrepreneurs is to build on three pillars: humility, hard work, and patience. He believes that excellence is found in the unglamorous daily details and that building a sustainable enterprise is a marathon, not a sprint. For Tpl. Oyebanji, sustainable economic growth requires visionary leadership and a collaborative mindset where businesses align their commercial goals with the advancement of society, building enduring institutions that can withstand any economic uncertainty.