Chief Tunde J. Afolabi, MFR, is a renowned Nigerian geologist, business leader, and philanthropist who serves as the Chairman of the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, bringing decades of leadership, discipline, and strategic vision to the fight against sickle cell disorder. He is the founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Amni International Petroleum Development Company, which he established in 1993 and successfully built into one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous players in the upstream oil and gas sector. With over forty years of professional experience, his career spans senior roles in international energy companies including Texaco and Mobil, supported by a strong academic foundation with degrees from Franklin and Marshall College and Tulane University.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Chief Afolabi has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to national development and education. He serves as a board member of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, the operators of the Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants, and holds the position of Chancellor at Ajayi Crowther University and First Technical University in Oyo State. His philanthropic contributions to education include the donation and inauguration of the Josephus Institute of Earth Sciences building at Redeemer’s University, reflecting his belief in knowledge as a catalyst for long term societal impact.
His relationship with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria predates his appointment as Chairman in March 2023. As a long standing benefactor, he played a pivotal role in supporting the foundation’s Bone Marrow Transplant Programme, helping to provide life saving treatment options for people living with sickle cell disorder. As Chairman, he now leads the foundation into a new phase of growth, focused on expanding access to comprehensive care, strengthening prevention and early diagnosis initiatives, and scaling the impact of the National Sickle Cell Centre and its world class DNA molecular laboratory. His leadership also champions critical interventions such as stroke prevention, orthopedic care, and free hip replacement surgeries for affected patients.
Chief Afolabi’s service and impact have earned him national and professional recognition, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic award and being named an Icon by the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, where he once served as President. In November 2025, his seventy fifth birthday celebrations included a special visit to the Sickle Cell Hospital, underscoring his personal dedication to the cause. Through his stewardship, SCFN continues to advance its mission of improving quality of life, extending hope, and building a future where individuals living with sickle cell disorder can thrive with dignity and support.