The vibrant hum of the relatively young Nigerian tech ecosystem has been abruptly silenced by a wave of grief and anger. The brutal death of Adetunji Opayele, 32, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of the thriving tech startup Bumpa, has ignited a national conversation about justice, accountability, and the value of human life. In the weeks following the tragic incident on March 4th, a Change.org petition titled “Justice for Teejay: A Life Cut Short by an Inhumane Driver” has garnered over 30,000 signatures, a testament to the profound impact Opayele had and the raw outrage his death has provoked.
Opayele, affectionately known as “Teejay” to friends and colleagues, was a rising star in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. Born in Lagos on December 20th, 1992, his journey was one of relentless ambition and a deep-seated passion for innovation. After graduating with a law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Opayele’s true calling lay in the digital realm. He transitioned into software engineering, quickly establishing himself as a prodigious talent. His impressive resume included stints at Nigerian financial services provider E-Settlement and the founding of his own web hosting company, HostCabal.
In 2018, Opayele co-founded Bumpa with Kelvin Umechukwu, a startup aimed at revolutionizing retail operations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. Recognizing the challenges faced by these businesses in adopting digital tools, Bumpa developed a comprehensive platform for inventory management, bookkeeping, sales tracking, and customer relations. The company’s innovative approach quickly gained traction, securing $4 million in seed funding in 2022 and processing over ₦160 billion ($103.9M) in transactions for approximately 60,000 onboarded SMEs. Bumpa’s success story, fueled by Opayele’s technical vision, was a source of national pride, employing over 40 individuals and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s digital economy.
The promising trajectory of Opayele’s life was tragically cut short on the night of March 4th. After a day at work and a gym session, he was riding his power bike along Ozumba Mbadiwe, a major expressway in Lagos’s affluent Victoria Island. According to the petition initiated by Teejay Legacy on Change.org, Opayele had the right of way when a vehicle driven by Miss Biola Adams-Odutayo allegedly merged onto the expressway without yielding, resulting in a fatal collision.
The details that followed the accident have fueled the public’s fury. The petition alleges that Adams-Odutayo, who was reportedly driving herself despite having a driver, remained in her vehicle and did not offer assistance to the critically injured Opayele. Bystanders recounted being told by her companion that she “doesn’t want blood to stain her car.” The petition further claims that Adams-Odutayo, identified as a healthcare professional and Head of Health at an insurance firm, spent over 30 minutes on a phone call while Opayele lay unconscious and struggling for breath.
The subsequent efforts by bystanders to get Opayele medical attention were fraught with difficulty, with initial attempts to admit him to nearby hospitals proving unsuccessful. Eventually, he was transported to a third hospital, accompanied by his brother who had been alerted to the incident. Tragically, Adetunji Opayele was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The narrative presented in the petition paints a picture of negligence and a shocking lack of empathy, sparking widespread condemnation. The petitioners are demanding more than just acknowledgement of the incident; they are calling for a thorough and just legal process. Their demands include proof of Adams-Odutayo’s presence in Nigeria, a charge of manslaughter in addition to the current charge of reckless driving, and assurances from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and the Inspector General of Police that due process will be followed without any undue influence. Appeals have also been made to political figures from Opayele’s home state of Osun to intervene and ensure the case is not swept under the rug.
Change.org petitions, while powerful tools for raising awareness and mobilizing public opinion, do not carry the force of law. The platform itself claims over 100,000 victories globally, demonstrating its potential to influence decision-makers. However, the ultimate outcome of this case will depend on the actions of the Nigerian legal system.
The Nigerian tech ecosystem has been particularly vocal in its mourning of Bumpa co-founder Opayele. Tributes have poured in, highlighting his visionary leadership, his dedication to empowering small businesses, and his warm and inspiring personality. Bumpa, in a statement, described him as more than a leader, but a friend, brother, and an inspiration. His work in building Bumpa into a successful and impactful company has left an indelible mark on the industry, and his untimely death is seen as a significant loss for Nigeria’s innovation landscape.
The outpouring of support for the petition indicates a deeper societal concern about road safety, accountability, and the perceived disparities in the application of justice. The allegations of preferential treatment due to connections, as mentioned in the petition, have further fueled public anger and the demand for transparency in the investigation and legal proceedings.
As the petition continues to gather signatures and the legal process unfolds, the case of Adetunji Opayele serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for a justice system that is both fair and equitable for all. The over 30,000 voices demanding justice for “Teejay” represent a nation yearning for accountability and a commitment to ensuring that such a tragic loss does not go unpunished. The legacy of this young innovator, who dedicated his life to building and empowering others, now rests on the promise that his death will not be in vain.
Editor’s Note (Updated April 1st, 2025): Since the initial publication of this article, representatives identifying themselves as close friends of Miss Biola Adams-Odutayo came forward on April 1st, 2025, with an account of the events of March 4th, 2025, that differs significantly from the narrative presented by the petitioners. Their statement, titled “Harrowing Night That Led To The Tragic Death of A Biker: Friends of Biola Adams-Odutayo Set The Records Straight,” portrays Miss Adams-Odutayo as being deeply traumatized and insists that she did everything possible to assist Mr. Opayele after the collision. They claim that the traffic light was in her favor, and that her vehicle was struck by Mr. Opayele’s power bike. The statement further alleges that she was prevented by bystanders from accompanying Mr. Opayele to the hospital initially, but that she ensured he received medical attention and later joined at the hospital. They also state that the incident was voluntarily reported to the police, leading to her detention and subsequent health issues. Miss Adams-Odutayo’s friends maintain that she too is a victim of the tragic event and has faced significant harassment. They urge the public to consider her side of the story and allow the legal process to take its course, noting that she has been charged with manslaughter and is currently out on bail. This counter-narrative highlights the complexity of the situation and underscores the importance of awaiting the findings of the ongoing legal proceedings.