Oni & Sons: A Golden Legacy of Social Impact And Philanthropy 

The name Theophilus Adediran Oni (MBE, MFR, FNIOB) may not mean so much to the present generation but there was a time when it made headlines across the country.

Mention T.A. Oni & Sons in some places and your ears would be greeted with legendary tales of a man who broke new grounds, added more honour to the illustrious name of his forebears and built a legacy as the founder of Nigeria’s first indigenous construction company.

Recently, the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and associates of the renowned Nigerian gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his passing in Ekiti and Ibadan with a ceremony befitting a man who made his mark as an industrialist, philanthropist and socialite.

The activities outlined to celebrate his life, legacy and contributions included the publication of a Pictorial book, the unveiling of his renovated tombstone at the Market Square, Okemesi; a photo exhibition at Jogor Center, Ibadan; and donations made to the Chief T.A. Oni Memorial Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan- a personal estate volunteered by the late industrialist for public use.

Who Was Chief T.A. Oni? 

Chief Theophilus Adediran Oni (T.A. Oni) was born at Oke Padre, Ibadan, Oyo State, on May 10, 1913, to Prince James Adeyemi Oni, a former UAC employee turned successful cocoa farmer, of the Fadumila/Oni (Akepe) ruling house in Okemesi, Western Region of Nigeria (now Ekiti State) and Mrs. Alice Olufunmilayo Oni, from Ile-Igi-Ege, Odofin chieftaincy house in Igbajo, in the Western Region of Nigeria (now Osun State). He was educated at St. James Primary School, Oke Bola Ibadan, Oyo State.

Following the collapse of the global cocoa market in 1929, the young T.A. Oni on completion of his primary education moved to Abeokuta and enrolled at Methodist School, Ogbe, where he gained School Leaving Certificate in 1930.

During his time at Ogbe Methodist School, he kept an after-school job as a ball boy at the Abeokuta Lawn Tennis Club picking up balls for expatriates, earning three pence per day. This sense of purpose to not be an idle hand would later define the career path and lead to the fulfilment of dreams for the boy from Okemesi.

The Making of A Legacy  

His discipline and commitment to duty caught the attention of a certain Mr. T.B. Wade, an expatriate with Public Works Department (PWD) in Abeokuta at the Lawn Tennis Club House.

Mr. Wade, out of curiousity, invited the 16-year-old Oni for a chat and charmed by his brilliance, he employed him as a domestic staff in his GRA Abeokuta apartment, allowing him to still keep his job as a ball boy at the Lawn Tennis club.

Little did the young T.A. Oni know that he is a rare gem in the eyes of Mr. Wade, a situation that came to light when the expatriate decided to get the youngman a temporary job as a Store/Timekeeper at PWD. As at that time, Mr. Wade was about to go on leave and did not wish to leave his protégé without a job. Due to T.A.Oni’s amazing performance, the temporary position soon became permanent. He rose through the ranks from a Store/Timekeeper to become a Senior Road Overseer at the age of 33; the highest position an African technician could attain in PWD at that time. During this period, his performance as Road Overseer and Engineer was remarkable-having led road construction projects such as: Ibadan/Abeokuta Road, Oyo/Ilorin Road, Ilesha, Oshogbo, Saki etc.

The Birth of a Vision 

Like the saying “great oaks from little acorns grow”, T.A. Oni resigned from PWD in 1945 to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams – he dabbled into a number of businesses from transport, photography, furniture making, importation and sale of motorcycles, metal and steelworks to citing the first petrol filling stations in Oyo and Ilesa.

With fifteen years of meritorious service under his belt in road construction, having handled landmark projects, on January 2, 1946, he brought the vision to life in Nigerian General Contractors, starting with an initial capital of GBP2, 000, years later, he would change the name to the famous T.A. Oni & Sons.

His venture into construction at that time was a groundbreaking move that paved the way for indigenous participation in large-scale civil engineering projects in Nigeria. This positioned him as a trailblazer who dared to enter an industry dominated by colonial firms. His company undertook and successfully executed several critical infrastructure projects, including major roads, bridges, and landmark buildings. Through his work, he contributed significantly to modernising Nigeria’s transportation networks and urban development, laying the groundwork for future generations of Nigerian engineers and construction firms.

Despite the presence of foreign construction companies in Nigeria at that time, inclusive of household names like Messrs G Cappa, and Cappa and Alberto, T.A. Oni and Sons held its own and stood ahead of the competition by implementing an overseas UK-based training programme for its key staff as far back as the mid-1950s. The company modernised and upgraded its construction equipment, adding fabrication and joinery facilities.

By 1970, the company had grown to over 3,500 staff, with 2,000 plants and vehicles operating all over the country with offices in Ibadan, Benin, Ajase-Ipo (Kwara), Kaduna & Lagos.

T.A Oni & Sons completed over a hundred building/road construction projects. Some of the projects handled between 1946 and 1971 include Re-construction of Abeokuta, Ijebu, Ondo, Ibadan Roads; Opeki Bridge; University of Lagos staff quarters; St Peter’s Aremo, Ibadan; furniture and roads; Queen Elizabeth Road Ibadan-Nigeria’s first dualized road; the construction of bridges, infrastructure, and over 1,000 kilometres of roads nationwide, transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape.

On the 14th of January 1972, due to high demand for T.A. Oni & Sons’ services, the company merged with Royal Netherlands Harbor Works, and was renamed Harboni Limited. Some of the projects executed include Ikeja international Airport (now local airport); Ewekoro Cement Factory and Rubber Research Institute, Iyannomor, Edo; offices and road network to Kainji Dam; Tejuosho Market.

The Family Man 

As a family man, T.A. Oni had 8 wives from almost all parts of the country and beyond. A man of exquisite taste and large heart, he had all his 8 wives and 35 children under one roof. His first family house was built in Oke-Ado, and was large enough to accommodate his growing family. But as the family grew, he built Goodwill House, his new residence along Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, in 1965. The complex was so magnificent that it was the talk of the town and by all standards, one of the most beautiful houses there was and still is today.

The Socialite

As a socialite, he belonged to high-profile socials clubs of his day, such as West African Club, Ibadan Recreation Club, Lagos Island Club among others. He also held traditional titles as the Balogun of Okemesi and the Bada of Igbajo.

He was also decorated with the national honour by the Federal Government of Nigeria as Member of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR) and recognised by the Queen of England with the Member of the British Empire (MBE).

A man of the people, he had friends from all race, and background, and fêted friends, business associates, government officials, and dignitaries on his balcony in Goodwill House. He was renowned for holding annual New Year’s Eve Party (December 31st) at Goodwill House as a special way of getting his large family to bond.

The Philanthropist

His legacy as a philanthropist is remarkable from the many lives he has touched personally and professionally. His residence, Goodwill House, a 65-room complex of seven houses, equipped with modern conveniences, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and horse stables, was transformed into what is now the T.A. Oni Memorial Children’s Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, Oyo State. This act of selflessness ensured that thousands of children would receive medical care for generations to come. He built and constantly maintained the roads in and around Okemesi. He built and furnished Okemesi Grammar School, the first in that locality.

The Exit of An Extraordinary Man    

On February 15, 1975, in faraway Manilla, Phillipines, the great industrialist succumbed to the illness that had plagued him in early 1974. Chief T.A. Oni in the fight against the illness had made incessant travels overseas for treatment. He died leaving behind 6 wives and 35 children, and a name that is worth its weight in gold. His body was flown back to Nigeria and laid to rest on March 8, 1975 and was honoured with a burial befitting royalty.

50 Years of Fond Memories 

On February 15, 2025, his legacy was celebrated in a memorial ceremony by family, friends and associates for his contributions to Nigeria’s development.

Interestingly, fifty years after, his philanthropic activities from the lives touched by his generosity to the infrastructure donated to communities are still visible.

Same as his legacy in the construction industry in landmark roads and buildings, pioneering works that set a precedent for indigenous construction companies. In all, his story is a reminder that true wealth is in the service to mankind.

This is a celebration of the memory of our father T. A. Oni, a true hero whose well lived life stood and continues to stand as a source of hope, inspiration and strength to his family, friends and the entire nation.

Indeed 50 years on, still a hero.