Iyke Bede
Nigerian entrepreneur and author of the ‘Billionaire Habits’ series, Dr. Stephen Akintayo, recently marked his 40th birthday with a lavish two-day celebration that drew influential figures from business, alongside family, friends and well-wishers.
Founder of Gtext Holdings, Akintayo launched his real estate career 17 years ago, building one of the most recognisable brands in the real estate sector. The entrepreneur framed the celebration as both a personal moment and a reflection on a journey marked by scale, discipline and sustained growth.
“For the past forty years, my life has been a collection of moments, lessons, people, failures, victories, prayers, risks, grace, and growth layered gently over time,” Akintayo reflected. “This celebration is majorly about how God has shown up in my life over the past 40 years. He’s been good and gracious, helping me show up even when I was unsure, stay consistent, learn quickly, fall forward, and choose purpose over comfort.”
He added: “Over the years, I have learned that success is not built overnight, and impact is never accidental. It is the result of discipline, intentional relationships, continuous learning, and a willingness to serve beyond self.”
Celebrating his impact, mentees of the Stephen Akintayo Mentorship Programme opened the main event on Saturday, January 31, at the Jasper Gardenia Estate, Ibeju-Lekki, with a series of spoken tributes and personal reflections. Pastor Dave Burrows of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) delivered the keynote address, followed by a session on the role of artificial intelligence and its impact on future jobs by American entrepreneur Michael Roberts.
Prior to the Saturday main event, a four-hour praise night held on his birthday, Wednesday, January 28, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, set a reflective tone for the celebrations. The evening opened with spoken-word poetry before unfolding into a sequence of stirring gospel performances by Blessing Lopez, T-Keyz, Onos Ariyo and Steve Hills. A drama presentation tracing Akintayo’s humble beginnings and early entrepreneurial drive drew a warm response from the audience, grounding the celebration in reflection rather than spectacle.
Day Two shifted the mood. With side attractions unfolding throughout the event, Commander Ebenezer Obey’s band delivered an energetic medley that transformed the hall into a dance floor. At the centre of it all was Akintayo, swaying graciously in a blue floral-patterned agbada alongside his wife, Mrs Bisi, and their children.
“Thank you for being who you are and all that you are to me. For standing with me through the highs and the lows. Thank you for spreading the ministry of wealth, purpose, and purpose, and for believing in God of all without limits,” Bisi said.
Several goodwill messages were delivered during the event, led by Founder, Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka. He reflected on his long-standing relationship with Akintayo, noting how both men share similar pathways to success, before walking the audience through the rudiments of building a successful career. Additional goodwill messages came from the Lead Pastor of Logic Church, Dr Flourish Peters, and the founder of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh. The segment also featured a projected video of the founder of Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, offering prayers and prophetic words over Akintayo.
Two books—’Quotable Quotes’ and series three of the ‘Billionaire Habits’—were launched in commemoration of the milestone. In a nod to his real estate journey, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the Jasper Gardenia Estate, marking the formal take-off of a new development.
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