About Me

Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo is a distinguished Sales, Marketing, Branding, PR, hospitality and tourism professional with over two decades of transformative experience in business development for several industries. In the last 13 years, As Director of Sales and Marketing for Eko Hotels & Suites, she has become pivotal in reshaping Nigeria's hospitality landscape and elevating its global reputation. Her remarkable career spans hospitality, aviation, travel, tourism, and entrepreneurship, demonstrating exceptional strategic vision. At Eko Hotels & Suites, she leads sales and marketing for Nigeria's most prefered corporate hospitality brand, generating billions in revenue yearly. She has led the hotel’s diversification effort in sales, marketing and brand perception, from a business hotel to a tourism destination. She not only oversees the strategic direction at Nigeria’s biggest inflatable theme park- Hakuna Matata, she has also established Theatre at Eko Hotels, where exciting broadway style theatre productions are staged all year round.

As an entrepreneur, Dr Gbadebo has successfully built and expanded her health and wellness spa brand - Tirta Ayu Spa. A traditional javanese spa franchise from Bali, to five branches across Nigeria in the last 10years, growing the team to nearly 100 professionals. Similarly, as CEO of BGV Limited, she organizes high-profile corporate events and leads some of the most impactful experiential marketing efforts in her industry. Dr. Gbadebo's academic credentials powerfully complement her professional achievements. She holds a PhD in Business Management, with distinctions. Her extensive academic research work critically interrogated smart cities and the future of Tourism in Lagos State, Nigeria. She has a Masters degree in Marketing from the University of Salford,Manchester and a BA in Theatre/Performing Arts from the University of Lagos. Her educational background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of business that extends far beyond traditional boundaries.