Adetunji ‘TeeJay’ Opayele, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nigerian retail automation startup Bumpa, has passed away following a car accident on March 5, 2025.
The tech entrepreneur, known for his contributions to Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, co-founded Bumpa in 2020 alongside Kelvin Umechukwu.
Opayele, a law graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), played a pivotal role in shaping Bumpa’s technology and helping small businesses streamline their operations through digital automation.
Under his leadership, Bumpa raised $4 million in a seed round in 2022 and expanded its services to over 60,000 SMEs. The startup has now processed transactions worth ₦160 billion.
Following his passing, Bumpa has announced plans to develop an AI assistant named “TeeJay”, designed to provide business insights and solutions within the platform to ensure that his legacy continues to impact entrepreneurs.
Tributes Pour in for a Tech Innovator
In a heartfelt statement, Kelvin Umechukwu, Bumpa’s Co-founder and CEO, described Opayele as more than a business partner, calling him a visionary, engineer, and friend.
“This is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with. TeeJay wasn’t just a co-founder; he was family. His impact on Bumpa and the tech community is immeasurable,” Umechukwu said.
Investors and industry leaders have also paid tribute to Opayele’s contributions. Opeyemi Awoyemi, Partner at Fast-Forward Fund, a Bumpa investor, described him as someone who lived life to the fullest, balancing his drive for innovation with curiosity about new ideas.
Building a Legacy Beyond Bumpa
Before co-founding Bumpa, Opayele had an extensive career in software development, working with companies in Nigeria and the United States, including Nigerian financial services provider E-Settlement and web hosting firm HostCabal, which he founded.
Bumpa has assured its customers that despite the loss, it remains committed to keeping the platform operational and expanding its services, reinforcing Opayele’s vision for empowering small businesses across Africa.
“TeeJay’s presence will be deeply missed, but his work will live on,” Umechukwu added. “Through the TeeJay AI assistant, his impact will continue to shape the future of Bumpa.”
