Olakunle Soriyan

Olakunle Soriyan
CitizenshipNigerian
OccupationsLeadership strategist, author, public speaker
Known forLeadership development and organizational culture work
TitleChief Knowledge Officer and Lead Strategist
SpouseTiwa Soriyan
Children1

Olakunle Soriyan is a Nigerian leadership strategist,[1][2] author,[3] and public speaker.[1] He is the Chief Knowledge Officer and Lead Strategist of Kenneth Soriyan Research and Ideas LLC, a leadership advisory and research organization based in Plano, Texas. He is also the founder of ESHIRYA-Africa, a United States–registered nonprofit organization.[4]

Soriyan has been involved in Leadership development, Organizational culture, and national transformation discourse through conferences, training programs, and media engagements in Nigeria and internationally.[5] His work has addressed themes including purpose, identity, leadership development, and institutional culture.[6][7]

Career

Early career

Following his graduation from Lagos State University, Olakunle Soriyan began his professional career in the late 1990s. During this period, he served in youth and campus ministry roles at The Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos, where he was involved in teaching, mentoring, and youth-focused programs.[8]

In addition to his ministry work, Soriyan has engaged with organizations in the private sector through advisory, training, and speaking roles. Publicly available accounts indicate that his work has included engagements with multinational companies across different industries, including Energy, Technology, and Consumer goods.[9]

Kenneth Soriyan Research and Ideas LLC

Kenneth Soriyan Research and Ideas LLC is a leadership advisory and research organization founded by Soriyan. The firm focuses on leadership development, organizational culture, and strategic advisory services. Soriyan serves as the Chief Knowledge Officer and Lead Strategist of the organization.[10]

Through the firm, Soriyan has delivered leadership training, advisory services, and keynote presentations for clients across the public and private sectors. The organization has also been associated with initiatives such as the NEXT365 leadership indaba, a platform curated by Soriyan that brings together participants for discussions on leadership, foresight, and long-term planning.[11]

Public engagement

Soriyan has participated in conferences, leadership forums, and development platforms in Nigeria and internationally, where he has spoken on topics including entrepreneurship, leadership development, national development, organizational culture, ethics, and human behavior.[12]

He has appeared in media formats such as newspaper features, interviews, podcasts, and radio programs, contributing to public discussions on governance, economic change, entrepreneurship, and the future of work.[13] Soriyan is also a co-author of the book A Love Affair with Failure, published through ForbesBooks.

Publications

Soriyan has authored and co-authored works addressing leadership, organizational culture, and national development. Among his published works is The Tragedy of Independence, a socio-political commentary examining issues related to Nigeria’s post-independence identity and development.[14]

He is also a co-author of A Love Affair with Failure, published through ForbesBooks, which explores themes of resilience, entrepreneurship, and personal development.[15][16]

Notable initiatives and projects

Soriyan has been involved in the development of leadership and mentorship initiatives focused on emerging leaders and long-term strategic thinking. These have included platforms such as NEXT365, an initiative associated with leadership dialogue and foresight-oriented discussions.[17]

He is also the founder of Africa House, a startup accelerator based in Plano, Texas, which focuses on supporting entrepreneurs of African descent.[18] The initiative has been described as providing mentorship, capacity-building, and access to networks for early-stage ventures.[19]

In addition to his own initiatives, Soriyan has participated in collaborative programs with corporate and organizational partners. These have included empowerment and skills-development initiatives designed to support entrepreneurship and small business growth.[20]

Awards and recognition

Soriyan is a co-author of A Love Affair with Failure: When Hitting Bottom Becomes a Launchpad to Success, published through ForbesBooks, a business book publishing imprint operated by Advantage Media Group in partnership with the Forbes brand.[15][16]

Soriyan has also been cited as a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes long-term contributions to volunteer service and civic engagement.[21]

In 2017, he was featured by the Nigerian lifestyle and branding publication Glazia as one of its “Top 5 Brands to Watch,” alongside other figures in the personal development and branding space.[22]

Personal life

Soriyan is married to Tiwa Soriyan, and they have one son. The family resides in Plano, Texas.[23]

References

  1. 1 2 "Biography Of Olakunle Soriyan". Spirit Revealing. 2025-07-03. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  2. ↑ Nwanne, Chuks (2017-01-07). "Recall… Yetunde's self-help tools for personal development". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  3. ↑ Dye, David (2022-11-18). "How Leaders Use Failure To Thrive with Olakunle Soriyan". Let's Grow Leaders. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  4. ↑ Opanuga, Jimisayo (2023-09-24). "Youths urged to be catalysts for positive change". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  5. ↑ "Platform Capital set to launch Africa House and Africa House Fund in Dallas, Texas for Entrepreneurs and Innovators of African Decent in the USA". TechCabal. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  6. ↑ The Next Titan Entreprenuership Foundation Club (2015-11-12). "The Next Titan Foundation Club: Brief Profile of Mr. Olakunle Soriyan". The Next Titan Foundation Club. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  7. ↑ "Celebrating Failures". fox10tv. 2022-10-11. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  8. ↑ Ezeh, Fred (2023-09-26). "Youths urged to be catalysts of positive change". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  9. ↑ "Cuttingedge holds conference on wealth creation". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. 2015-06-08. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  10. ↑ Okeke, Ifeoma (2021-03-23). "How Olakunle Soriyan is helping raise future leaders with 'Understanding NEXT 365 Event'". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  11. ↑ Oboh (2021-03-18). "Dynamic growth of Next365 with Olakunle Soriyan". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  12. ↑ admin (2021-07-18). "Africa House Empowers 10 Startups With $1M Entrepreneurial Support - The Street Journal". Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  13. ↑ Yusuf, Kabir (2021-05-24). "Platform Capital to launch Africa House in U.S." Premium Times. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  14. ↑ Soriyan, Olakunle (2013). The Tragedy of Independence (PDF).
  15. 1 2 ForbesBooks. "In New Book, Entrepreneurs Articulate an Inspiring Vision of Failing as Evolution". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  16. 1 2 Dye, David (2022-11-18). "How Leaders Use Failure To Thrive with Olakunle Soriyan". Let's Grow Leaders. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  17. ↑ Gravley, Garrett (2021-06-26). "Entrepreneur support project Africa House dreams big ahead of Plano launch". Star Local Media. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  18. ↑ "Africa-focused entrepreneurial support organization opens in Plano". Dallas Business Journal. 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  19. ↑ "Africa House empowers 10 startups with $1M entrepreneurial support". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  20. ↑ "OlakunleSoriyan Company partners Microsoft to host empowerment program". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  21. ↑ "Olakunle Soriyan – Power Parenting". Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  22. ↑ GLAZIA (2017-01-06). "Top 5 Brands to Watch in 2017 : A Chat with Honorees - Lanre Olusola, Mitchell Elegbe & Olakunle Soriyan". Glazia. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  23. ↑ EPLFAdmin. "Olakunle Soriyan". EPLF | Emerging Political Leadership Fellowship. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
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