Adetunji ‘TeeJay’ Opayele, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nigerian retail automation startup Bumpa, has passed away following a tragic car accident in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 5, 2025.
Opayele, a law graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), played a pivotal role in co-founding Bumpa in 2020 alongside his longtime friend and business partner, Kelvin Umechukwu. The duo, who met during their university years, collaborated on several ventures before launching Bumpa, a startup that has since revolutionized retail automation for small businesses.
A Devastating Loss to the Startup Ecosystem
Expressing his grief, Umechukwu shared an emotional tribute: “This is one of the most distressing moments of my life. Teejay was not just my co-founder—he was my friend, my brother, my battle partner, and an extraordinary engineer. His loss is indescribable.”
Since its inception, Bumpa has made significant strides in the tech ecosystem. In 2022, the company secured $4 million in seed funding from Base10 Partners and integrated with Meta, enabling merchants to manage their Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp DMs directly on the platform. Bumpa also expanded its reach by acquiring beauty marketplace Fyne in 2023 and PaperCloud in 2025.
Today, Bumpa employs 40 staff members and has processed over ₦160 billion for 60,000 SMEs, cementing its reputation as a transformative force in Nigerian retail.
Honoring His Legacy
Opeyemi Awoyemi, a partner at Fast-Forward Fund and an investor in Bumpa, reflected on Opayele’s contributions: “Tunji was passionate, full of life, and deeply committed to his vision. His energy, curiosity, and determination were contagious. He will be profoundly missed.”
Before co-founding Bumpa, Opayele held key roles in Nigeria’s tech industry, including working with E-Settlement and founding web hosting company HostCabal. His expertise and leadership played a crucial role in shaping Bumpa’s technological direction.
In a heartfelt move to preserve his memory, Bumpa has announced plans to develop an AI assistant named Teejay, designed to provide business insights and problem-solving solutions within the platform.
“Though we mourn his absence, we remain committed to honoring Teejay’s legacy by ensuring Bumpa continues to thrive and meet the needs of our users,” Umechukwu reassured customers in an email.
Opayele’s passing is a profound loss to the Nigerian tech community. His impact, however, will live on through the innovations he pioneered and the countless entrepreneurs he empowered.
May his soul rest in peace.
