Dupe Olusola has reshaped the way hospitality is experienced in Nigeria and beyond. Her story isn’t just one of corporate success—it is one of grit, reinvention, and a belief in possibility.
Her childhood was filled with an insatiable curiosity. Growing up in Lagos, she had a hunger for learning, something that followed her into Queen’s College and later to the University of Leicester, where she studied Economics. There was always a larger picture in her mind, a vision that took her further to the University of Kent, where she pursued a Master’s in Development Economics. Numbers and policies were not just figures on paper; they were tools to build something bigger.
Returning home after gaining experience in the UK, she stepped into Nigeria’s corporate world with the kind of presence that couldn’t be ignored. At SecTrust (now Afrinvest), she sharpened her expertise before moving to African Capital Alliance, where she navigated the high-stakes world of private equity. At United Bank for Africa (UBA), her work stretched across 23 countries, weaving together a marketing strategy that left a lasting imprint.
It was at Teragro Commodities Limited that she truly flexed her ability to transform ideas into tangible impact. She led the groundbreaking partnership with Coca-Cola, making Teragro the exclusive local source for Five Alive Pulpy Orange Juice. This was more than a business deal; it was proof that local resources could fuel global brands.
March 2020 was a time of uncertainty for the world, and taking over as Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc in the middle of a global crisis was the kind of challenge that could unravel even the strongest leaders. But she approached it with sharp instincts, introducing initiatives that kept the business alive. From food delivery services to drive-in events and a stringent Clean Stay program, she kept the doors open when many were forced to shut. By July 2021, she took things further with “Aura by Transcorp Hotels,” a digital platform that redefined how people book accommodations and experiences across Africa.
The industry took notice. In 2024, she was inducted into the Seven Stars Pantheon of Hospitality, earning the Seven Stars Woman of the Year award—an honor so rare that she became only the second recipient in its 12-year history. That same year, she received the Hospitality Leadership Award from the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), adding another layer to a career built on innovation and fearless leadership.
Beyond boardrooms and business decisions, there is a woman who never forgot the power of opportunity. For her 50th birthday, she launched the Next Generation Foundation, an initiative dedicated to helping underserved children gain access to education. The “50 by 50” project, its first major undertaking, is set to provide scholarships covering tuition, books, uniforms, nutrition, health services, and mentorship to 50 children from low-income families. A legacy is not built in numbers or accolades—it is built in the lives that are changed along the way.
There are leaders who follow trends, and there are those who create them. Dupe Olusola has chosen the latter. Her work is not just about luxury hotels and high-end experiences; it is about shifting narratives, opening doors, and proving that true success is measured not just in profits but in impact.
