“The heartbeat of a family business is the bond between its members” -Victoria Simmons.
When Alhaji Fatai Olalekan Akanmu Gbemisola, Abeokuta -born successful businessman, philanthropist and socialite passed away (at 64) on October 12, 2012 many saw the sad development as a huge loss to his family and the larger society.
Then, his demise was feared by many to be the end of a shining legacy. However, 13 years down the line, posterity has been good to the memory of the late business magnate. His legacy has continued to grow in leaps and bounds – all thanks to the amazing children and family he left behind.
Fatgbems Group, the business legacy built by the late Alhaji Gbemisola is now a leading brand in Nigeria’s corporate sector. Today, it has become a behemoth of a conglomerate -with interests in Petroleum Marketing, Automobile Tyre Trade & Marketing, Agro-Allied services, and Real Estate. Fatgbems Petroleum Limited, the group’s flagship brand, currently boasts of over 30 retails service outlets spread across the Western States of Nigeria.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Fatgbems Petroleum Limited commissioned its latest mega retail station located at the OPIC end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The colourful commissioning ceremony had dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele in attendance.
Alhaji Fatai Gbemisola was the founder and pioneer Chairman/CEO of Fatgbems Petroleum Company Limited and he led the company till his demise. Prior to this, he had formed and led Fatgbems Nigeria Limited, a company better known for its end-to-end supply and distribution of Dunlop and Michelin tyres across the Nigeria since 1982. He was a seasoned and shrewd businessman in his time with many corporate achievements. Today, four of his sons are making him proud by keeping the legacy afloat.
His first son, Alhaji Kabiru Gbemisola, (a shrewd business manager per excellence like his dad) took over the reigns as MD/CEO in 2013. He is also the Chairman of the Group. With over two decades of experience in Oil and Gas marketing, distribution, transportation and logistics operations, he has really driven the brand on the direction to the peak. Since his resumption as the Chairman, the business has witnessed an evolution of innovations and growth; making it well-positioned in the downstream sector in Nigeria today.
Hassan Adedamola Gbemisola is the Executive Director (Wholesale Business). He is an executive with strong competence in portfolio management, his experience in the industry span about 15 years. His strong sense of ethics and strategic management style is attributed to brand recognition Fatgbems receives in the corporate circle today. He is an alumnus of Kingston University Survey and University of Westminster London, United Kingdom
Sulaimon Adebayo Gbemisola is the Executive Director (Retail Business). Fatgbems owes much of its success in retail business to his proficiency in corporate governance, financial and International Business management. He was instrumental in the reform of the retail arm of the business and championed the company’s rebranding process. Bayo is an alumnus of Unilag and of the University of East London, with specialization in International Business Management.
Shamsudeen Folajomi Gbemisola is the Executive Director (Operations and Technology). His vast knowledge in modern business management and operational optimization has seen to the major swift operational and technological deployments in the group’s business growth over the years. He is an alumnus of North America University and of Coventry University, London with specialization in management, business strategy, Information Technology and supply chain.