British-Nigerian Legal Luminary, Olumide Otolorin Together With Family, Holds Grand Burial For Mother-in-Law, Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye [PHOTOS]

Lagos came to a standstill on July 10, 2025, as dignitaries, relatives, and friends gathered to honour the life of Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye (née Adefolu), a respected woman remembered for her faith, service, and influence. The event marked not just a farewell, but a heartfelt celebration of her impactful life and enduring legacy.

Mrs. Adeleye, fondly called Grandma Adeleye or Grandma Ola, was remembered for her selfless contributions to family, education, and community. Attendees described her as a woman of deep faith whose life inspired those around her.

Among those who led Grandma Adeleye’s tributes was her son-in-law, Mr. Olumide Otolorin, a British-Nigerian legal and compliance expert. He is qualified to practise law in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Otolorin has built a distinguished career across traditional legal practice and regulatory consultancy. As the CEO and Founder of Titans Careers, he now trains and equips professionals globally with skills in compliance, cybersecurity, project management, and IT—continuing Mrs. Adeleye’s lifelong dedication to education and empowerment.

Mrs. Adeleye’s daughter, Mrs. Adewunmi Otolorin, also delivered a moving tribute. A triple-qualified lawyer licensed in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and New York State, she currently works as a financial regulation and compliance expert at Citigroup, Canary Wharf, London. She began her career at Afe Babalola & Co., and has been praised for her brilliance and discipline, qualities she credits to her late mother.

Rooted in Values. Raised to Lead.

Grandma Adeleye was more than a beloved matriarch. She was a pioneer, a role model, a visionary educator, a devout Christian, a builder of dreams, and an inspiration to generations.

Born into the respected Adefolu family, Adedayo was nurtured in an environment where integrity, discipline, and service were not only taught but lived out. These values became the foundation of her own life philosophy. They shaped her worldview and laid the groundwork for a legacy that continues to bear fruit.

Her marriage to Engineer Adeleye, a man of great intellect and deep moral convictions, was a partnership built on mutual respect, shared goals, and unwavering faith. Together, they built a home that was more than a dwelling and it was a haven of love, discipline, spirituality, and possibility. A place where children were taught to dream big and work hard. A place where God was at the centre.

Their home became a launchpad. And through their nurturing, their children and grandchildren now carry the torch forward, each one shaped by the values they were raised with.

Building Schools. Shaping Futures.

Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye was a passionate educator with an unshakable belief in the power of learning. But she didn’t just believe in education and she built it. As the founder of El Shaddai Nursery and Primary School and Wemby’s College, she created institutions that continue to empower young minds to this day.

These schools were not just academic spaces. They were places where values were instilled, faith was nurtured, and future leaders were moulded. Thousands of students passed through their gates and many of whom now hold leadership positions across Nigeria and beyond.

Her educational vision wasn’t just about passing exams; it was about raising individuals who would make a difference. She believed that every child deserved the opportunity to flourish and she dedicated her life to making that a reality.

Today, El Shaddai and Wemby’s stand tall as living monuments to her foresight, passion, and commitment to excellence.

Entrepreneurial Spirit with a Heart for Others

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Adeleye was an astute entrepreneur. She successfully ventured into various sectors, always guided by ethics, empathy, and excellence. Her businesses were never just about profit but they were about people. Whether supporting church projects, funding community causes, or offering scholarships to underprivileged children, she gave generously and quietly, never seeking the spotlight.

Her entrepreneurial journey is proof that it is possible to build successful ventures while staying grounded in one’s values. She combined strategy with compassion, always investing back into the community she loved.

Her impact wasn’t limited to what she built but it was also seen in what she gave away: opportunities, advice, kindness, and hope.

A Faith That Anchored Everything

At the heart of everything Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye did was her deep, unwavering faith in God. A prayer warrior, church leader, and woman of the Word, she lived her life as a shining example of Proverbs 31. She gave generously, served humbly, and loved unconditionally.

She led by example, mentoring women, supporting ministries, and encouraging fellow believers. Her house was always open for prayer meetings, worship gatherings, or anyone in need of a listening ear.

In a world of shifting values, she remained steadfast. And in doing so, she became a spiritual anchor not just for her family, but for her wider community.

Legacy Through Generations

While Grandma Adeleye has transitioned to eternal glory, her legacy is far from over. It continues to shine through her children and grandchildren and individuals who are not just successful in their own right, but deeply committed to carrying forward her vision of excellence, integrity, and service.

Together with their children, these descendants represent a legacy of faith, intellect, and impact and this is living proof of the seeds Grandma Adeleye sowed throughout her life.

The Power of a Life Well Lived

During her farewell ceremonies—from the wake keeping to the service of songs and final interment and one thing became abundantly clear: Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye lived a life that mattered. A life that lifted others. A life full of purpose, progress, and prayer.

Friends, former students, community members, church leaders, and family all shared heartfelt tributes. They spoke of her kindness, her wisdom, her firmness, her prayers, and her quiet strength. They remembered her laugh, her stories, her encouragement, and the way she always made people feel seen.

Her ability to mediate conflicts, support struggling families, and offer solutions to community issues, often behind the scenes, was a quiet but powerful testimony to her leadership.

She was never too busy to listen. Never too tired to serve. Never too proud to pray.

More Than a Memory … A Movement

Now, even in her passing, the family and community are committed to ensuring that her work doesn’t end here. Plans are underway to launch educational scholarships, mentorship programs, and community impact projects in her honour. These will serve as living legacies by extending her mission to inspire, educate, and uplift.

The goal is simple: to keep her light shining.

Her legacy is a call to action for all of us to live purposefully, love deeply, and serve faithfully.

Final Words of Honour

Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye was a rare gem wise, strong, prayerful, generous, and visionary. She taught us that true greatness lies in service, that success must be rooted in faith, and that no life is too small to make a big difference.

To her, family meant everything. Community mattered. God came first. And in the lives she touched, she left behind a roadmap of how to live with grace, grit, and godliness.

She has fought the good fight. She has finished her race. And without a doubt, she has kept the faith.

Rest well, Grandma. Your life was your message and we heard it loud and clear.

In Loving Memory
Mrs. Adedayo Adeleye (née Adefolu)
Beloved Mother. Grandmother. Educator. Entrepreneur. Woman of Faith.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

With eternal love from the Otolorin-Adeleye Family
14 July 2025

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