In the surge of African innovation reshaping industries across the continent, Opeyemi Babalola has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most remarkable engineering minds, a man who transformed grit, vision, and purpose into a continental success story. As the founder of Weber Engineering, Babalola is pioneering a new era in African sports manufacturing by producing world-class basketball hoops and court systems entirely made in Nigeria.
Born the only son among eight sisters in a modest Nigerian home, Babalola’s story is one of discipline and determination. His father, a retired Army Major, and his mother, a civil servant, instilled in him a deep sense of service and hard work.
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That foundation propelled him through his studies, first in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, and later a Master’s in Subsea Engineering from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. His career in oil and gas took him across Scotland and Angola, but his heart never strayed far from home or from a childhood dream of building something proudly African.
The turning point came in 2010 with the passing of his father. It forced Babalola to reflect on legacy and purpose. Returning to Nigeria, he began investing in local fabrication and mentoring young engineers. When the oil market collapsed in 2015, he made a bold move, leaving his lucrative career to start Weber Engineering. What began as a small workshop producing handcrafted basketball hoops has grown into a continental brand recognized by NBA Africa, Giants of Africa, and the Basketball Africa League.
Yet, Weber Engineering’s story goes beyond steel, bolts, and welding sparks. It’s a story of empowerment. In Babalola’s factory, young artisans are not just employees; they are students, learning modern fabrication, precision engineering, and design thinking. “When you build people, the work lasts longer than the product,” he says with quiet conviction.
His journey has not been without trials. In 2018, a severe spinal injury nearly halted his progress, but resilience remained his constant companion. After surgery and months of recovery, he returned to the factory floor, determined to prove that setbacks could forge stronger steel.
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Today, Weber Engineering stands as living proof that Africa can design, build, and export excellence. Each hoop that leaves the factory carries more than metal; it carries the story of African creativity, craftsmanship, and courage.
Opeyemi Babalola’s journey is a powerful reminder that innovation is not imported; it’s inspired. Through vision and persistence, he has turned passion into purpose and purpose into progress, building not just products but possibilities for the next generation of African creators.
