Lagos Hotelier Slumps, Dies During Wife’s 60th Birthday Celebration

Tragedy struck in the Egbeda area of Lagos yesterday, Saturday, April 19, 2025, as a popular hotelier, billionaire businessman and pastor, Otunba Olakunle Akinyele, slumped and died during his wife’s 60th birthday celebration at an event centre.

Mr Akinyele, a retired Deputy Controller of Custom was speaking on stage during the event when he suddenly slumped.

Attempts made to revive him were unsuccessful, “leading to his being rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

“Mrs Catherine Akinyele and other guests were in high mood on stage during the event when he beckoned on the wife to whisper something into her ears.

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“Immediately she left, he slumped,” the report said.

It added that “the family has been thrown into mourning,” adding that, “As part of the celebration Mr Akinyele unveiled a brand new Toyota Highlander he bought for his wife at the event.”

“Many have expressed shock over his death. He was described by many as an amiable man,” the report further said.

The deceased was 62.