The African social commerce startup, Bumpa, has suffered a devastating loss following the passing of its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Adetunji ‘TeeJay’ Opayele.
He tragically lost his life in a car accident on March 5, 2025. Opayele co-founded Bumpa alongside Kelvin Umechukwu, with whom he first connected while studying at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). His contributions were instrumental in shaping the Nigerian retail automation startup.
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, Umechukwu expressed his deep sorrow: “This is honestly one of the most d+stressing things I’ve ever been through, and I imagine it’s the same for all of us who were close to Teejay.
He wasn’t just a co-founder to me; he was my friend, my brother, my fight partner, and a brilliant engineer. Teejay was family to me, and this is honestly one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with in life.”
Opayele’s passing is a significant loss for the four-year-old startup, where he spearheaded technological innovation.
Despite his absence, Umechukwu reassured customers in an email on Wednesday that Bumpa remains committed to its mission: “Though his presence will be missed, we commit to keeping Teejay’s legacy alive by ensuring that the Bumpa app is fully functional and we continue to meet your business needs with it.”
Opeyemi Awoyemi, Partner at Fast-Forward Fund, a Bumpa investor, also paid tribute to Opayele, describing him as a dedicated and passionate entrepreneur. “Tunji loved life and lived it to the fullest. We had the privilege of working closely with him from day 0 at Bumpa, and his tenacity always stood out.
He was deeply committed to his vision, yet he also had a curiosity for life beyond work—always exploring new ideas and passions. His energy and determination were truly inspiring, and he will be deeply missed.” Opayele’s death marks a profound loss for the African tech ecosystem, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, resilience, and dedication.
