Nigerian gospel music icon and media entrepreneur Yinka Ayefele has revealed a remarkable workplace achievement: no staff dismissals since launching Fresh FM radio station ten years ago. The father of three credits his hands-on leadership approach for maintaining a stable team throughout the station’s growth.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
Ayefele’s career path transformed dramatically after a 1997 car accident left him wheelchair-bound. Before this life-changing event, he worked at Radio Nigeria in Ibadan, creating jingles and saving to purchase his first vehicle. The accident became an unexpected catalyst for greater ambitions.
Humble Beginnings to National Network
Fresh FM started modestly as a Facebook live stream that attracted significant overseas listenership. Encouraged by this response, Ayefele developed it into a full-scale broadcast operation with multiple branches across Nigeria. Securing the broadcast license required seven challenging years, including encounters with security agencies questioning the station’s legitimacy.
People-First Leadership Philosophy
The musician attributes his business success to patience and collaborative teamwork. In a decade of operation, he has never terminated any employee. The closest instance involved advising a single staff member to resign for personal reasons, maintaining his commitment to staff retention.
Unexpected Blessings from Challenges
Ayefele addressed the 2018 demolition of his Music House by the Oyo State government under late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He views this crisis as a disguised blessing that generated international media attention from outlets like BBC and CNN. The administration later assisted in rebuilding the structure.
He expressed gratitude to former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife for crucial early support during Fresh FM’s licensing phase. Their encouragement proved vital for the station’s establishment and continued growth in Nigeria’s competitive media landscape.
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