When Seyi Adekunle, fondly known as Seyi Vodi, called for a celebration to mark his 50th birthday, Abuja didn’t just answer, it stood still.
The city’s most elite and influential guests turned up in immaculate white, reflecting the chosen theme of the night: gratitude, elegance, and thanksgiving. It was an all-white extravaganza held at the newly renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, which had been transformed into a glowing sanctuary of praise, style, and celebration in honour of Nigeria’s most stylish tailor-turned-mogul.
Seyi Vodi, the man who tailored his way into the hearts (and wardrobes) of Nigeria’s A-list, didn’t just throw a party; he orchestrated a praise concert that looked like a scene straight out of a Nollywood climax.
The night opened with powerful worship sessions led by gospel greats Tope Alabi and Adeyinka Alaseyori, setting a deeply spiritual tone for what would become more than just a birthday bash. The man of the hour, visibly moved, knelt in worship, tears pouring down his face; a rare show of emotion from a man more often seen behind perfectly stitched suits.
Then came the birthday song. As firecrackers exploded into the air and fog machines filled the space with an ethereal glow, friends and family surrounded Vodi. With the humility that defines his brand, he prostrated fully on the floor, thanking God for the journey that brought him from tailoring shirts for NYSC colleagues to fitting Africa’s political and entertainment elite.
Important Personalities in Attendance
From former Liberian President George Weah, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and HRH Ooni of Ife, to entertainment powerhouses like Funke Akindele, 2Baba, AY Comedian, Kate Henshaw, Timi Dakolo and Patoranking, the night was a seamless blend of business, royalty, politics, and pop culture.
The presence of socialites and business moguls, such as Obi Cubana, Ned Nwoko, and Ifeanyi Odii, among others, confirmed that Vodi’s clientele is not just prestigious but also commanding.
And as if the celebration wasn’t grand enough, Vodi gifted himself a 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series 2; a $700,000 marvel of machinery (over ₦1.09 billion) that added the perfect touch of opulence to his golden jubilee.
From Rejection to Revolution
Seyi Vodi’s journey began not with privilege, but with rejection. After being unable to secure a banking job post-graduation, he pivoted to fashion, a move that many might have considered beneath him. But that one pivot reshaped the future of Nigerian menswear.
Starting in 2001 under the name Testimony Fabrics, Vodi rebranded in 2003 to give the brand a more Afrocentric identity. From tailoring boxers and shirts for fellow NYSC corps members, he built what is today one of Nigeria’s most revered fashion houses, the Vodi Group, with over 300 employees and a high-profile clientele.
He has dressed billionaires, politicians, and entertainers, and even earned the praise and mentorship of Tony Elumelu, who remains one of his biggest brand endorsers.
Through it all, Vodi has remained grounded, often crediting God, consistency, and community for his rise.
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Raising the Standard
Vodi recently opened a new multi-million-naira fashion showroom in Abuja, which he describes as a “dream brought to life.” The new facility stands as a hub for Nigerian tailoring excellence, offering premium fashion services while training the next generation of designers.
The expansion represents more than just business growth; it’s a commitment to upskilling, job creation, and the global elevation of Nigerian fashion.
In a landscape plagued with unemployment and economic strain, Seyi Vodi’s brand is not just making people look good; it’s changing lives.
Seyi Vodi’s 50th birthday wasn’t just a celebration of life; it was a victory lap. A testament to how far a man can go with vision, faith, and an unrelenting commitment to quality. In stitching together his destiny, Vodi has clothed not just people, but a generation’s dream of African excellence.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is Seyi Vodi?
A: Seyi Vodi (real name Seyi Adekunle) is a billionaire Nigerian fashion designer and entrepreneur, founder of the Vodi Group. He is known for dressing Nigeria’s elite and redefining luxury menswear in Africa.
Q: What was special about his 50th birthday?
A: Vodi’s 50th was an all-white praise-filled celebration held in Abuja, attended by top dignitaries, celebrities, and gospel artistes. It was more than a birthday; it was a spectacle of worship, fashion, and luxury.
Q: Who were some notable guests at the event?
A: Guests included former Liberian President George Weah, Osun Governor Adeleke, Ooni of Ife, Obi Cubana, Funke Akindele, AY, Patoranking, 2Baba, Sola Sobowale, and Kate Henshaw, among others.
Q: What gift did Seyi Vodi give himself?
A: He bought a 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series 2, valued at $700,000 (over ₦1 billion).
Q: How did he get into fashion?
A: After failing to secure a banking job post-NYSC, he started tailoring shirts for colleagues. That hustle gave birth to the Vodi Group, now one of Nigeria’s most influential fashion houses.
Q: What’s next for Seyi Vodi?
A: He’s focused on global expansion, mentoring young designers, and raising the standard of Nigerian tailoring through his new fashion facility in Abuja.