listenⓘKunle Adeyanju, also known as "The Lion Heart", is a ardent motorcyclist. He was the President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro, D9110 in the 2022/23 Rotary Year.[1][2]
Kunle Adeyanju is a self-described daredevil who has Skydived, Bungeed Jumped, Jet Skied on the Indian Ocean, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice and rode a bicycle from Lagos to Accra and back to Lagos in six days..[1] In 2022, he rode a motorcycle from London to Lagos, Nigeria.[3][4][5] The journey took him approximately, forty-one days; he traveled 13,000 kilometres (8,100 mi) through 11 countries and 31 cities before he arrived at his final destination Lagos, Nigeria.[4][6][7] The goal behind his London–Lagos ride was "to raise funds for Rotary International's fight against polio, which remains a threat in Africa despite being eradicated in 2020."[7][8][9] He says he chose the cause because of a childhood friend who was a polio survivor but sadly died years ago.[1] Kunle Adeyanju's ride brought him through the Tizi n'Tichka pass at the summit of the Atlas Mountains,[1] and on to a crossing of the Sahara Desert where he faced temperatures of 53 °C (127 °F). Riding at cusp of the national peed limit of Morocco and Mauritania, he crossed the Saraha in seven days.[1]
Kunle Adeyanju is a native of Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. He had his Nursery, Primary & Secondary education in Kano, and his university education at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. While in A.B.U, he served as the Student’s Union Government Financial Secretary. Also, he was a member of Rotaract Club of A.B.U Zaria Main Campus where he held various positions like Publicity Director, Club Service Director, and Vice President.
He commenced his working career as a Management Trainee with British American Tobacco Nigeria. Where he occupied various positions, with his last role being Marketing Manager Kano Region with responsibility for Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Katsina States. He took a turn in his career in mid-2004 into the Oil & Gas sector when he took up the position of Head of Marketing Oando Gas & Power between 2004 – 2006, where he led the team for the development and expansion of the Greater Lagos Industrial Area Natural Gas Pipeline Network.
In 2006, he proceeded to join Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum as Fuels & Bitumen Manager and then progressed into other roles in Shell:
• Contract Holder – Land Logistics
• Dedicated Contract Lead - Logistics
• Logistics Strategic Projects & Assurance Lead
• Strategic & Tactical Contract Lead
Kunle furthered his career outside Shell in 2019, to setup Pelicans D.N.O - Venture Capital, where he currently occupies the role of the Chief Operating Officer.
Kunle Adeyanju is widely travelled and has visited over 85 countries around the world, he holds an Master's of Business Administration degree and a Master's of Arts degree in Peace & Strategic Studies. Also, he is presently a student at the University of Arizona for his PhD in Business Administration with specialization in Social Entrepreneurism. In 2023, Kunle Adeyanju received the coveted Federal Government of Nigeria, Diaspora Merit Award. Some other awards conferred on Kunle Adeyanuju are:
• Ambassador - Nigerian National PolioPlus
• Nigeria National Diaspora Merit Award – 2023
• Rotary International Service Award for Africa – 2023
• District Governor 9110 Golden Award - 2023
• District Governor 9125 Distinguish Award – 2023
• 2023 Rotaract District 9110 Award of Excellence
• International Olympic Committee Award of Exceptional Leadership
• Award of Excellence – Rotary District 9130
• Award of Distinguish Rotarian – Rotary District 9110
• Rotarian of the Year 2008 – Rotary District 9110 DG’s Award
Furthermore, Kunle Adeyanju is a Rotarian with a big heart who loves adventure, and his hobbies are Reading, Swimming, Cycling & Mountain Climbing. He has sky dived, bungee jumped and cycled Lagos – Ghana – Lagos. In 2008 he became the First Nigerian to fly the Nigeria Flag at the highest peak in Africa – Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro and the first Rotarian to fly the Rotary Banner at this highest peak.
In December 2009, he and his team attempted Mt Kilimanjaro for the second time but had to abandon the quest of scaling the highest peak in Africa for survival of the team, as the team encountered a taste of nature’s fury. The experience tagged the Failed but Successful mission, has been an inspiration to many, and has been published in a book titled “My Escapes on Kili” on Apple Books and Amazon.
Furthermore, in April 2022, Kunle embarked on a Trans – Sahara Motorbike Adventure #LONDONTOLAGOS to reinvigorate awareness for #EndPolio and raise fund for the charity cause. The ride gained global recognition and was acclaimed as daring, selfless, humanitarian feat.
Kunle Adeyanju was the past President of Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro D9110 Lagos and has been a member since 2006. Prior to becoming the president, he also served in other capacities in the club such as: Board of Directors, Service Project Director & Publicity Director.
Also, he is a prolific public speaker and an accomplished author. He has graced the acclaimed TEDx platform, and spoken in several for-profit corporate fora, non-profit charity events.
Other publications from Kunle Adeyanju are:
• Great Thinkers
• Winner Mindset
• #LONDONTOLAGOS – The Journey of a LionHeart
• West African Road Trip – The Dairy of a LionHeart
All available on Apple Book Store, Amazon, Google Books, and major bookstores around the world.
Kunle Adeyanju also runs a Foundation, THE LIONHEART FOUNDATION, a charity foundation focused on Education, Health, Environment and Community Development
