At a time when Africa continues to address gaps in infrastructure and industry, leadership remains central to progress. This was reflected at the AfriHeritage Awards 2026, where Temitope Runsewe, Managing Director of Dutum Company Limited, was named African Business Titan of the Year.
The recognition points to his role in enterprise growth, infrastructure delivery, and leadership within the sector.
The award also reflects Runsewe’s work in leading Dutum Company Limited, a construction and civil engineering firm operating across Nigeria. Under his direction, the company has focused on infrastructure projects that support urban development, improve access, and contribute to economic activity.
Speaking after receiving the award, Runsewe spoke about the decision that shaped his path:
“Seventeen years ago, I resigned from my job in the United Kingdom and returned to Nigeria with a conviction, to demonstrate that Africans have the capacity to build transgenerational businesses.”
He said the move marked a continuation of a legacy, as he joined the company founded by his father, Engr. Olatunde Runsewe, in 1989. His focus, he noted, has been to extend the reach of the business across generations.
The company’s work has also drawn attention from outside its leadership. Kingsley Osadolor, who served as Master of Ceremonies at the event, shared his experience with the company’s projects.
“The first time I came across Dutum Company Limited was in Abuja,” Osadolor said. He referred to the construction of pedestrian bridges at Mabushi, Sheraton, Northern Parkway, and VIO junctions. He said the execution and structure of the bridges left a lasting impression. He added that he was glad the organisers had recognised Runsewe.
Such comments reflect how public infrastructure can shape perception through everyday use. They also show how project delivery can speak without formal promotion.
Since his return to Nigeria, Runsewe has overseen projects across civil engineering, building construction, engineering procurement and construction, design and build, and facility management. The company’s portfolio has expanded in scale and scope over time.
Dutum has also moved beyond Nigeria. The company has undertaken projects in Ghana, marking a step in its regional presence.
The recognition at the AfriHeritage Awards also points to a wider shift across Africa. Companies based on the continent are taking on roles in infrastructure development and economic activity. For Runsewe, the award reflects a goal he set years ago, to show that African businesses can build for the long term.
As demand for infrastructure continues across the continent, Dutum Company Limited remains part of this process. For Runsewe, the recognition marks a point in an ongoing journey, shaped by a return home and a belief in local capacity to build for the future.
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