Seye Joseph
To succeed on social media in 2025 and beyond, you have to be bold, audacious, and unafraid to stand out. That, at least, is the view of Ayeni Adekunle, one of Nigeria’s foremost public relations experts and brand strategists. “Not a bad person,” he quickly clarifies with a wry smile, “but someone willing to embrace visibility, command attention, and shape narratives responsibly.”
Adekunle’s career has always been about shaping narratives. Born in Ondo State and raised in Lagos, he studied microbiology at the University of Ibadan, but it was storytelling that captured his imagination. He began as a showbiz columnist at Encomium Weekly, later moving on to Hip Hop World Magazine as feature editor, and eventually to ThisDay and The Punch. These early years taught him the power of discretion, strategy, and insight—the tools that would define his entrepreneurial journey.
After leaving The Punch, Adekunle founded Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET), a pioneering platform for entertainment news across Nigeria and Africa. The platform evolved into TheNETng, while he also launched the annual Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NEC Live), convening creative professionals, media experts, and policy makers to discuss the growth and future of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
In 2006, he established Black House Media (BHM), now a full-service public relations powerhouse with subsidiaries including ID Africa, Plaqad, Neusroom, 234Star, NET, Orin, NET Shop, and NEC. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its influence, launching the BHM App in 2012 to provide PR professionals with tools to work smarter and more strategically. Forbes Africa has described him as a key figure in ushering Nigeria into the digital-first era of marketing communications.
Beyond his professional accolades, Adekunle is a man of deliberate choices. He wears primarily white clothing to reduce daily decision-making, keeps spares of his wardrobe to avoid interruptions, and practices intermittent fasting to maintain both health and discipline. Anecdotes from his life, like the time his trousers ripped mid-emceeing at a wedding, serve as lessons in preparation and foresight.
Family and personal balance are central to his philosophy. While Adekunle has spent significant time abroad pursuing career opportunities, he ensures that family remains a priority. “Global exposure is critical for expertise and influence,” he explains. “But it comes with sacrifices—children growing up away from home, long-distance relationships, and personal strain. The goal is to return equipped to make meaningful impact in Nigeria.”
Mentorship has also shaped his trajectory. Influencers like Lag Baja encouraged him to leverage his writing and strategic skills toward international opportunities, helping him transition from music journalism to structured consulting for corporate clients. “The principles are transferable,” he says. “Solving problems, whether for artists or companies, follows the same strategy: discretion, insight, and meaningful execution.”
Adekunle is equally candid about the challenges and opportunities of social media. “Engagement is currency, but extremes are rewarded. Luxury, travel, and curated lifestyles create pressure and comparison,” he notes. Yet he emphasizes responsible influence, distinguishing between visibility and impact. A niche expert with 25,000 followers, he argues, can wield more meaningful influence than a celebrity with millions.
His work at Black House Media exemplifies this philosophy. The company uses data, insights, and predictive strategies to anticipate and solve client problems, balancing creativity with ethics. Adekunle warns against the monetization of chaos. “Platforms incentivize extremes—fraud, polarization, spectacle. Influence must be grounded in responsibility,” he says.
Recognition has followed his consistent efforts. He was named Nigeria’s PR Practitioner of the Year in 2017, while BHM earned Agency of the Year and Best Agency to Work For from the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. ID Africa was recognized as Best PR Agency for Use of New Media, and in 2019, Adekunle was conferred a Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing for his contributions to the profession.
Despite these accolades, Adekunle remains grounded. True success, he says, is measured by systems that function independently of personal privilege and influence. His journey reflects the delicate balance of ambition, ethics, and personal fulfillment. From navigating Nigeria’s entertainment landscape to guiding multinational clients, he embodies the principle that influence is most powerful when paired with responsibility.
In a world where attention has become the ultimate currency, Ayeni Adekunle offers a blueprint: be bold, plan strategically, and leverage visibility to create lasting impact. His story is proof that ambition, ethics, and thoughtful leadership can coexist, shaping industries and inspiring generations in Nigeria and beyond.
Disclaimer: EnterpriseCEO is not the rightful owner of the original content or conversation. This feature article is a transcription and editorial adaptation based on Teju Babyface Show. All insights and quotes are attributed to Mr. Adekunle Ayeni as shared during the interview. Full credit goes to Teju Babyface.
