Born into the Obara section of the Balagbayo ruling house of Ijesaland, Prince Seyi Lufadeju received his early education in Ilesa, Igbajo, and Benin City, where he completed his secondary education. He attended the prestigious University of Ife (Great Ife) and earned a Bachelor’s degree.
He then proceeded to the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, on a fellowship, where he obtained his Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. His coursework at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, further enriched his knowledge before he returned to Nigeria to join the civil service in 1973.
In 1974, he became a member of the defunct Nigeria Building Society until 1977. He also worked as a member of the Federal Housing Authority from 1977 to 1979, while serving as a member of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria from 1977 to 1980.
After several years, he became the National Chairman of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, Nigeria chapter. During this time, he was also a board member of Shelter-Afrique before being appointed Managing Director/CEO of Shelter Afrique, Nairobi, Kenya, from 1986 to 1996. Since 1997, he has served as the Managing Director/CEO of Shelter Initiatives Limited, Abuja, and has been the Chairman of the FCT Urban & Regional Planning Tribunal, Abuja, since 2014.
Throughout his career, Prince Lufadeju achieved remarkable milestones. He was one of the pioneer town planners who formed the nucleus of the Urban and Regional Planning Division of the newly created Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Environment in 1977. He served as a council member of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners from 1978 to 1980 and held the position of Financial Secretary in the same institute from 1979 to 1980.
In 1986, he became a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners and was also a member of the Association of American Geographers in 1970. Under his leadership, the Urban and Regional Planning Division of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Environment initiated and supervised the Master Plan for the Aladja Steel Township from the conceptual stage to detailed planning (1978-1982). The Master Plan and detailed urban planning for Abeokuta Steel Township were executed under his guidance from 1979 to 1983.
During the same period, over three hundred sites were chosen for the Federal Housing Programme across the country, with layout plans for some sites prepared and approved within the Ministry under his supervision. In 1982-1983, a national housing policy was prepared and approved by the Government of Nigeria. He also supervised the preparation of the Master Plan for Onne Industrial Complex Township in Rivers State from 1981 to 1983. From 1984 to 1985, he initiated and supervised the preparation of the National Urban Development Policy for Nigeria. Between 1976 and 1989, the World Bank-assisted Urban Development Programme in Nigeria operated under his supervision, focusing on sites and services, slum upgrading, and provision of services through self-help methods, with projects initiated in Bauchi and Imo States.
As a director in the defunct Nigeria Building Society, and later at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Federal Housing Authority, he effectively participated in formulating policies and strategies for low-income housing finance and development in Nigeria. A social person, he was active in numerous clubs both within and outside the country. He was the first president of the Ijesa Felates Club in 1967 and a member of the Festac Town Rotary Club of Nairobi, where he was voted as the incoming president for 1986/1987.
Prince Lufadeju was also involved with the Lawn Tennis Club, serving as the chairman of the organizing committee of the Lord Rumens Lagos Tennis Championship in 1982 and as vice president of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club from 1982 to 1985. He held various leadership positions in community and church organizations, including the chairman of the Harvest Committee at the Anglican Church from 1983 to 1986.
He became a charter president of the Rotary Club of Milimani, Nairobi, in 1987 and served as the District Officer for Membership Extension in Rotary Club International, District 920, in 1989-1990. In 1994, he received the national honor of Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Lion in Senegal. He later became the president of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club from 2001 to 2004 and was a member of the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja, as well as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN).
Prince Seyi Lufadeju passed on to eternal glory on January 22, 2025, just few months after the loss of his beloved wife. He is survived by children and grandchildren. He will remain in the hearts of many as a humble industry giant who came, saw, and conquered.
I am saddened by his passing and will always treasure the calls I received from him, expressing pride in my commitment to the continuous growth of the industry. He was truly a humble and kind elder, always willing to lend a helping hand.
Adieu, our esteemed REDAN Board of Trustees Chairman.Rest in peace, Sir.
By Esv. Osilama.
