Layal Jade Tinubu

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Layal Jade Tinubu

Serial Entrepreneur- Social Impact Advocate - Design Specialist

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ABOUT

Meet Layal Jade Tinubu

Layal Tinubu is the Founder & CEO of Tots Toys, a children’s educational toyshop and learning space which provides a range of educational items all intended to aid children’s development and learning through play. Tots Toys offers its space for book readings, interactive sessions and activity groups to keep children engaged, all to create a new generation of book readers.

In 2018, she co-founded Noella Foundation, a non-profit private sector-led organisation with the goal to drive change and improve Nigeria’s economy via entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable ideas and action plans. Noella Foundation provides a platform to empower and encourage youths to become change-makers in society by helping them identify their passion and use that passion to create solutions that empower Nigerian communities and drive greater economic growth.

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The Higher Heights Circle Mentorship Program

The Higher Heights Mentorship Program is a platform dedicated to empowering emerging female professionals and entrepreneurs to grow, evolve, and reach their full potential through focused coaching and guidance.

Designed for women navigating entry-level roles, mid-career transitions, or the early stages of business, this initiative brings together a dynamic mix of live expert-led sessions and guided offline activities. Each cohort journeys through a thoughtfully chosen theme, supported by exercises and meaningful conversations tailored to individual goals and aspirations.

Whether you work in tech, the creative sector, corporate spaces, or non-profit organisations, the Circle fosters cross-disciplinary learning, collaboration, and mutual support.

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IMPACT

Driving Social Change

BE Empowered Edition One

A one-day summit supporting women-led businesses with grants and keynote sessions, followed by a post-grant boot camp.
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BE Empowered - Mummy’s Hangout Edition One

Supporting Young Mothers
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Higher Heights – Vision Mapping

A leadership program guiding young women to realise their full potential through mentorship and skill-building.
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Higher Heights – The Mum’s Circle

An initiative designed to support and empower mothers through insights and practical support.
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BE Empowered Edition Two

A one-day summit supporting women-led businesses with grants and keynote sessions, followed by a post-grant boot camp.
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ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS

In The News

Guardian Woman

July 16, 2022

Layal discusses her journey with Tots Toys and the importance of purposeful play in children's development

Layal Jade Tinubu is the Founder and CEO of Tots Toys, a children’s educational toyshop and learning space that...

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The Benchmark

January, 2025

An overview of Layal's initiatives through the Noella Foundation, focusing on health, education, and empowerment

In Nigeria, significant challenges persist in health, education, and empowerment. The maternal mortality ratio stands at...

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Her Network

November, 2019

Layal shares her vision for Tots Toys and the role of education in early childhood

‘I want Tots Toys to be seen as actively helping to create a new generation of book readers.’ – Layal Jade Tinubu

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THISDAY Live

June 30, 2024.

Layal's N40 million initiative aimed at empowering young women in enterprise

In a bold move to uplift and empower Nigerian women, Layal Jade-Tinubu, co-founder of Noella Foundation and ...

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Instagram

November, 2024.

A brief interview discussing the Life After School Summit and its objectives

Mr and Mrs Tinubu in a quick interview session with TVC and Channels sharing some insight...

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The Nation

February 15, 2025.

Layal Tinubu moves from strength to strength

Layal Jade Tinubu looks so soft from the outside but those close to this woman of valour have wowed and continue to...

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TTYBrand Africa

July 1, 2024.

Layal Tinubu Empowers Women Entrepreneurs With 40 Million Naira Grant At “Be Empowered” Maiden Edition Event

Layal Jade Tinubu, the co-founder and director of the Noella Foundation, is making waves in the entrepreneurial...

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Join My Community

Layal Tinubu is the Founder & CEO of Tots Toys, a children’s educational toyshop and learning space which provides a range of educational items all intended to aid children’s development and learning through play. Tots Toys offers its space for book readings, interactive sessions and activity groups to keep children engaged, all to create a new generation of book readers.

In 2018, she co-founded Noella Foundation, a non-profit private sector-led organisation with the goal to drive change and improve Nigeria’s economy via entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable ideas and action plans. Noella Foundation provides a platform to empower and encourage youths to become change-makers in society by helping them identify their passion and use that passion to create solutions that empower Nigerian communities and drive greater economic growth.

Layal has over 6 years of advisory consulting experience. Prior to founding Tots Toys, Layal was a Senior Consultant at both Pwc (PricewaterhouseCoopers) UK and Nigeria firms. While she was at PwC, she provided consulting services to the advisory arm of the business and worked within the Africa Business Group, supporting business development activity and identifying opportunities from the UK and Africa region by networking and building relationships with key stakeholders.

Layal supported the Country’s Senior Partner to lead a number of governmental policy and major change programs from conception to implementation, involving setting up government structures, defining objectives, methodologies and delivery models, building cross-functional teams, and managing stakeholders and consultants to deliver desired change.

She successfully supported the shaping and delivery of major change programs at the State and Local government level from the client side. Layal received an MSc in Entrepreneurship and Business Management from the University of Surrey, a BA in Politics and African Studies from SOAS University of London and an Oxford Senior Leadership Executive certification from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.

BE Empowered Edition One

The BE Empowered initiative, spearheaded by Layal Jade Tinubu through the Noella Foundation, is a transformative program to uplift young Nigerian women entrepreneurs. Launched in 2024, the program’s inaugural edition awarded ₦40 million in grants to 14 deserving female-led startups. Building on this success, the 2025 edition expanded its reach, disbursing ₦60 million among 20 outstanding women entrepreneurs.

These beneficiaries were selected from a pool of over a thousand applicants, showcasing innovative business ideas and a strong commitment to growth. Beyond financial support, BE Empowered offers a comprehensive five-week bootcamp, providing participants with essential business training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

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BE Empowered - Mummy’s Hangout

Layal Jade Tinubu hosted the second Mummy’s Hangout under the Be Empowered Initiative to support and encourage young widows as they navigate their journeys. It includes heartfelt sharing sessions, opportunities for connection, and moments of joy, like a lively dance competition, fostering a sense of unity and strength.

Beyond the event, each widow receives over a month’s worth of groceries to support their families, and scholarships opportunities for each child.

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Higher Heights – Vision Mapping

Higher Heights is a leadership initiative dedicated to empowering young women to reach their full potential. It offers a supportive space for personal growth, strategic planning, and meaningful connections.

Through workshops and goal-setting sessions, participants gain the tools and confidence needed to define their path and achieve their aspirations, fostering a community of inspired and driven women.

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Higher Heights – The Mum’s Circle

The second edition of Higher Heights – The Mum’s Circle, an initiative aimed at creating a safe space where mothers are truly seen, heard, and supported beyond societal roles, was held on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. The event convened 40 remarkable women for an afternoon of honest conversations, shared truths, and transformative insights.

The summit featured two inspiring speakers, Ms Yetty Williams of Lagos Mums and Dr Adaku Thelma Olatise, whose insights reminded participants of their worth, strength, and the importance of holding onto their voice and identity.

During the event, five (5) mothers were awarded grants to support their business journeys, while two (2) families received full sponsorship for the upcoming academic session. These awards reflect the initiative’s commitment to empowering women and their families.

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BE Empowered Edition Two

The second edition of Be Empowered, hosted by Layal Jade Tinubu and Noella Foundation, was held on Saturday, April 12th, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The event convened over one hundred and fifty (150) guests for a one-day summit focused on supporting women-led businesses.

From the pool of more than two thousand five hundred (2,500) applicants, two hundred (200) business owners were shortlisted to attend the summit, and the top five (5) finalists were invited to pitch their businesses before a panel of judges on Thursday, April 10th, 2025.

At the summit, nine (9) winners were announced, with the highest grant winners emerging from the pitch session and others selected based on their application. Following the event, an additional eleven (11) attendees were further selected to receive grants, bringing the total number of grant recipients to twenty (20).

The program concluded with a rigorous five-week bootcamp which included sessions on strategic planning, financial management, operational efficiency, and long-term scalability.

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