GoldMyne Female Entrepreneur of The week: The Formidable Adenike Ogunlesi
Within a host of successful women in Nigeria, Adenike Ogunlesi is a name that emerges softly but unshaken and grounded in the genuine path of hard work, creativity, and dedication.
She’s the founder, creative director, and Chief responsibility Officer of Ruff ‘n’ tumble the leading children’s clothing brand in Nigeria. She was born on July 14, 1959, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Her father was a medical doctor, while her mother, Betty Okuboyejo, was a fashion designer and business owner. Growing up, Adenike was exposed to garment making and small-scale business operations through her mother’s work. This early exposure played a role in shaping her understanding of fashion and entrepreneurship.
Adenike attended St. Louis Grammar School in Ibadan and later gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to study Law. She left the programme during her second year after deciding it was not the right fit for her. She then joined her mother’s fashion business, where she gained hands-on experience in tailoring, production, and customer relations. She later attended executive programmes at Lagos Business School to strengthen her business and management skills.
The idea for Ruff ‘n’ Tumble came from a personal need. After becoming a mother, Adenike found it difficult to source well-made children’s clothes locally as they were either expensive or poorly made. She began making clothing for her own children, and when family members showed interest in purchasing them, she decided to produce more.
In the early stages, she sold the clothes directly from the boot of her car, visiting schools, bazaars, and neighbourhoods to reach customers. This approach allowed her to sell her products without the cost of a retail space and also helped her understand customer preferences.
As demand increased, she hired tailors and moved into more structured production. Around 2000, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble opened its first physical store in Ikeja, Lagos. The brand later expanded to other cities across Nigeria and widened its product range beyond pyjamas to include various categories of children’s clothing.
In addition to running Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Adenike Ogunlesi has been involved in business leadership and mentorship. She is a founding member and former president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW). She has also served on corporate boards, including as a non-executive director at Lafarge Africa Plc. She established the Betti-Okuboyejo Foundation, named after her mother, which focuses on training young people in garment making and entrepreneurship.
She is happily married to Adegbola Ogunlesi, and they are blessed with 3 children.
Adenike Ogunlesi’s business journey reflects a gradual and structured approach to entrepreneurship, beginning with small-scale sales and growing into a formal retail and manufacturing operation. Her work has contributed to the development of Nigeria’s fashion and retail sector, particularly in children’s clothing.
The entrepreneurial genius highlights the resilience and grit of Nigerian women that constantly show us how they take the bull by the horns, she is indeed a worthy female entrepreneur of the week.
