With over 17 years in Nigeria’s banking sector, Tolulope Tunde-Ajiboye has carved out a powerful space for herself as a strategic relationship manager, building institutional partnerships with a mix of professionalism, wisdom, and grace.
But her story doesn’t end at career milestones. It stretches into the heart of women’s empowerment through her movement Blooming Amazons (BLAM), and into the world of luxury through her event brand, The 2705 Events Company. At the core of it all is her voice—anchored in faith, conviction, and deep prophetic insight.
Her latest book, The Full Bloom, is a reflection of her life’s work. Part memoir, part manual, it speaks to every woman who has ever felt called to more. In this conversation, we speak with Tolulope about what it means to bloom in the face of resistance, to lead with both fire and tenderness, and why wholeness—not perfection—is the true goal.
Let’s go back a bit—when did you first realise you were made for more than just one path? Was there a defining moment, or did purpose unfold slowly for you?
Purpose did not arrive in one dramatic moment. It unfolded gradually, like petals opening. Even in my early banking years, I sensed my life was not meant for one lane. At a women’s gathering years ago, I felt God whisper, “You are meant to lead spaces like this.” That seed never left me. Over time, small steps of obedience revealed layers of my calling. I have learned that purpose is not one fixed destination. It is God weaving every season into a bigger picture. Every role I carry today is not a detour; it is an assignment.
You’ve spent over 17 years in Nigeria’s banking sector. What has kept you grounded and motivated in an industry that’s constantly evolving and, at times, unforgiving?
Seventeen years in Nigerian banking will either break you or build you. I am grateful for how it has built me. What keeps me grounded is knowing my career is a platform, not just a paycheck. I am here to represent God’s excellence in the marketplace. My mum’s advice, “Let your name go ahead of you,” shapes how I work. I guard my integrity, keep learning, and create time to rest. My motivation is no longer just climbing ladders but leaving a legacy. I want to show up in ways that leave people better than I met them.
You wear so many hats—strategic relationship manager, founder, mentor, author, minister. How do you switch between these roles without losing your core?
I do not switch hats; I carry them. Whether in banking, ministry, or mentoring, I am still Tolu, a nurturer, communicator, and builder. Alignment keeps me sane. I say no to good opportunities if they are not God’s plan for this season. I flow with the seasons. Some require more of one role than another, and that is fine. My anchor is solitude, prayer, and a strong support system. Above all, I am a daughter of God. That truth is my core, so the titles change, but the essence stays the same.
Let’s talk about the 2705 Events Company. What inspired you to venture into luxury event planning, and how does creativity feed into your structured corporate life?
The 2705 Events Company was born from my love for beauty, excellence, and storytelling. I believe every event should feel like an experience, not just a gathering. My banking career gave me structure. Event planning allows me to dream and create. They are not opposites, they complement each other. My corporate discipline keeps the business sharp, while my creative side adds warmth to client relationships in banking. The name “2705” is my birthday, a nod to legacy. For me, it is not just décor. It is about creating atmospheres that leave people with lasting memories.
BLAM—Blooming Amazons—has become a movement for women. What was the seed that birthed it, and did you ever imagine it would grow into what it is now?
BLAM began as a whisper from God to gather women and create safe, faith-filled spaces for growth. The seed was my own journey of being poured into by mentors and wanting to multiply that. I never imagined it becoming a movement. But God’s dreams are always bigger. Today, BLAM is more than an event or a platform. It is a sisterhood. Women have found healing, confidence, and clarity through it. It reminds me that when you plant seeds in obedience, you do not just grow a garden. You may grow a forest.
You’ve mentored hundreds of women through BLAM. What’s one recurring struggle you’ve seen among women today, and how do you help them rise above it?
A recurring struggle is the silent battle between who women are and who they think they should be. Social media, comparison, and pressure can make women feel behind. In BLAM, I remind them they are not late. God’s timing is perfect. We start with identity because when you know who you are, you stop competing and start creating. I encourage small, consistent steps toward goals. Purpose is built daily, not in one grand leap. My role is to hold up the mirror until they see the woman God sees.
Your latest book, The Full Bloom, speaks deeply to healing and purpose. What’s the key message takeaway you want women to take from it?
The Full Bloom is my heart in words. If there is one takeaway, it is this: you can bloom where you are. You do not need perfect conditions or complete healing before living purposefully. Healing and blooming can happen together. Life may not always be kind, but you can stand tall, rooted in faith and truth. Every story in the book is proof that even in dry seasons, God waters us. Full bloom is not about having it all. It is about becoming all you are meant to be.
Mentorship clearly matters to you. Who has mentored you, and what’s a piece of wisdom you still carry from that relationship?
I cannot talk about mentorship without talking about my mum. She has been my first and most consistent mentor. She taught me that faith is my foundation and excellence is my standard. Watching her live with integrity, discipline, and compassion shaped the woman I am today. One of her constant reminders is, “Tolu, your name must go ahead of you.” Those words have stayed with me in every season. She did not just tell me what to do; she showed me how to live it. My mum’s life is the blueprint for how I lead and love today.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about purpose, especially among women trying to balance dreams with daily realities?
The biggest misconception is that purpose is a one-time discovery. In reality, it evolves. Many women also think purpose must be grand and public, like quitting your job or launching a big business. But purpose can be as simple as being faithful in your current assignment. Purpose does not compete with responsibility. It moves through it. Balancing dreams and daily realities is not choosing one over the other. It is embracing both as part of God’s plan. You can nurture your vision without abandoning the role you play today.
If you could go back and whisper something to 25-year-old Tolu, what would you say to her about the woman she was becoming?
I would say, “Breathe. You are not behind. You are becoming more than you can see right now.” Do not rush the seasons. Each one is preparing you for the next. Trust God’s timing even when it feels slow. That job you sometimes question is shaping your discipline and resilience. Those hidden years are building your character. You will wear many hats, but remember you are more than the titles. Protect your joy, keep your faith alive, and never shrink to make others comfortable. The woman you are becoming is worth the wait.
Finally, what does blooming in every season mean to you right now—in this exact moment of your life and legacy?
Blooming in every season means refusing to let life’s conditions determine my growth. Right now, it is about embracing my 40s with gratitude, courage, and clarity. Some seasons have been sunny, others stormy, but all have made me stronger. In this moment, blooming is pouring into others while tending my own garden. It is saying yes to God even when it stretches me. It is celebrating the petals and the thorns. My legacy will not just be in what I had, but in the lives I helped water. Every season can bear fruit if you stay rooted.
