Ayeni Adekunle Samuel, popularly known as Ayeni The Great (ATG), is a renowned Nigerian entrepreneur, PR expert, journalist, and founder/CEO of Black House Media (BHM) Group. Since his emergence in the marketing communications scene, he has been a key figure in shaping Nigeria’s digital marketing and media landscape.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Ayeni Adekunle Samuel |
| Date of Birth | November 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| State of Origin | Ondo State (Oka-Akoko) |
| Partner | Married |
| Children | Two |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, PR Specialist, Journalist, CEO |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed (Company valued over $1M and growing) |
Early Life and Education
Born in November 1978 in Ondo State, Nigeria, Ayeni grew up in a family where literature and music thrived, which sparked his early interest in writing and entertainment.
He attended Awori College, Ojo, Lagos for his secondary education and later proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Microbiology.
Career
Ayeni started his career in journalism immediately after secondary school by writing and editing for various entertainment magazines and newspapers.
He worked with Hip Hop World Magazine, Encomium Weekly, THISDAY, and The Punch, gaining prominence as a popular entertainment columnist with memorable columns such as “Notes & Tones,” “Glitz Beats,” and “e-Punch.”
In 2006, Ayeni launched Black House Media (BHM) from his Lagos apartment, initially serving mainly musicians and associated brands.
Over time, BHM expanded into a major communications conglomerate with many subsidiaries including ID Africa, Nigeria Entertainment Today (NET), and other digital platforms.
BHM is known for its pioneering mobile PR app and its influential annual entertainment conference, NEC Live, which convenes entertainment industry leaders and innovators across Africa.
The company has grown internationally with offices in multiple countries and has been recognized as one of Africa’s fastest growing companies.
Personal Life
Ayeni is married and has two children. He resides primarily in Lagos but spends time abroad due to his global business interests. He often refers to his journey humorously, calling himself a “failed microbiologist, failed musician, and failed author.”
Ayeni Adekunle Net Worth
Although Ayeni’s exact net worth is private, his firm’s valuation surpassed $1 million within six years of its creation and has since grown significantly. BHM is known for being self-funded and debt-free, and its expanding footprint in Africa and beyond suggests a considerable level of financial success.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his career, Ayeni has received multiple accolades including:
- PR Practitioner of the Year (2017, 2022, 2023)
- Fellowship of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (2019)
- Membership in respected PR bodies such as NIPR, CIPR (UK), and PRSA (USA)
- Recognition as a key innovator in the EMEA region by PRovoke (2021)
- Featured in Forbes Africa for his contributions to digital marketing in Nigeria
His company has also won awards like PR Agency of the Year, Best Agency to Work For, and the prestigious Diamond SABRE Award.
