It was an evening of warm reunion, glowing tributes and dignified recognition as alumni, industry professionals, family members and longtime associates gathered at the Lagos Country Club on Saturday, 28 March, 2026, to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of Nigeria’s most influential figures in marketing research, Kareem Akande Tejumola, founder of Research and Marketing Services Limited.

So, it was within this atmosphere of reflection and recognition that the evening took on deeper national significance, as Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the former Osun State governor and immediate past Interior Minister, called for a national honour in recognition of the enduring contributions of   the marketing research icon.

The former governor reaffirmed that the celebrant s  influence has shaped institutions, guided leadership decisions and strengthened the professional journeys of practitioners across Nigeria’s evolving insight landscape.

At the centre of the moment,  the immediate past Interior Minister,  whose presence as Special Guest of Honour transformed the reunion into a powerful reflection on decades of friendship, leadership influence and national relevance.

Recalling their journey together, the infrastructure focused administrator and education  reform advocate, reflected deeply on a relationship that has spanned more than six decades, describing the celebrant as a lifelong influence whose professional insight shaped both policy perception and governance communication during his years in office.

According to the former state helmsman, the marketing research strategist played a decisive advisory role during his administration through perception studies that reshaped how citizens connected with government programmes.

He explained that a survey conducted at the time revealed a disconnect between visible development work and public understanding of those efforts.

However, he noted that once the findings guided communication adjustments, public engagement improved significantly.

“I participated in choosing the name of the company. He came into my life more than 60 years ago. His mother and my father were siblings. I settled with him in Lagos, while I was governing Osun, I believed we were doing well. Yet his research revealed concerns among citizens. We acted immediately. Afterwards, acceptance rose dramatically,” he said.

The gathering itself unfolded as a reunion of alumni from Research and Marketing Services Limited, bringing together 107 former employees who worked with the organisation across different decades, particularly between the 1990s and early 2000s.

Their presence reinforced the organisation’s reputation as a talent incubator within Nigeria’s marketing research ecosystem.

Meanwhile, giving his welcome address, the Chairman of the occasion, Tosin Agbelusi, described the event  as  more than a ceremonial gathering.

Instead, he framed it as a deliberate moment of recognition for a professional whose discipline and mentorship built strong institutional foundations across Africa’s research landscape.

According to him, the day represented a celebration of character, leadership and technical excellence that shaped generations of practitioners.

Responding to the tributes, the celebrated research strategist expressed deep appreciation to alumni, colleagues and friends who gathered to honour him.

At the same time, he used the platform to encourage professionals within the research community to adapt quickly to industry evolution.

According to him, the future of market research remains promising. However, he warned that professionals who fail to adjust to emerging realities risk falling behind the pace of change.

Again,   the presence of the former Osun State administrator  therefore, carried deeper meaning, because his call for national recognition did more than honour a longtime associate.

Moreover, it echoed a broader acknowledgement of a life spent shaping insight, strengthening leadership decisions and nurturing professionals whose work continues to influence Nigeria’s evolving research landscape.

The reunion therefore closed not only as a celebration of a distinguished career but also as a reminder of the continuing relevance of research driven insight in leadership, governance and corporate decision making across Nigeria’s evolving knowledge economy.