Government Cannot Do Everything For Us- Olaobaju Tosin's Story

Olaobaju Tosin, the CEO of Tosbaj's Concept shares his story with Success Story.

Can we meet you?


Yes. I'm Olaobaju Oluwatosin Isaac, professionally baptized has Indispensable_TOSBAJ. I'm a final year Law student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The name Indispensable_Tosbaj is not alien to most Great Ife students, can you tell us how you manage to achieve that?

Well, let me start from the TOSBAJ... It is the combination of my surname and my name Olaobaju and 'Tosin which make TOSBAJ...
The 'Indispensable', which means extremely Important and Necessary", was gotten from one of my favorite songs in Secondary School. And I have always wanted to be relevant and important to the society and contribute my own quota to the development of our great nation Nigeria. So I added the adjective to my nick name and it becomes Indispensable_TOSBAJ.

We have seen many pictures tagged Indispensable_Tosbaj, can you tell us the story behind it?

Well, to God be the Glory. I'm a Law student as well as a professional photographer, I can say I fell in love with pictures since my childhood. I really have strong passion for pictures and beautiful things. Maybe because my Dad is also a Professional photographer, he is the CEO of WOLBAJ Multimedia studio in Ile-Ife. He taught me most of the things I know. Although at first I didn't want to pay attention to it but when I got to OAU I developed more interest in photography. There is no way you won't want to know some other things apart from academics once you are a Great Ife student (lol).

I developed myself; learning more from my Dad and my friends that are into photography. I realised that photography isn't just a profession but also a means of making other people smile because people cherish how beautiful they are or how beautiful their environment. I believe with passion, good vision and hard work I will make it to the top. I improved on myself and I came up with the brand TOSBAJ_Concept” coined from Indispensable_TOSBAJ.

How do you manage photography with Law as a course of study and still make your clients smile?

Frankly speaking, it hasn't been easy.  It takes determination, self-discipline and hard work to get the two going. Above all, God has been really helping.

How did you feel when handling your first work and when was it?

Well, have been working with my Dad since secondary school and that will be like over 5years now. And it has always been big occasions. Especially church events, wedding, etc. So it doesn't make much difference when I started my own personal work. I just enjoy it and this feeling of fulfilment is always there. I love it when people smile and I snap them. It really gives me joy.

Does your profit speak for your efforts as a photographer?

Uhmmmmm... Well, not really. Because most people want a very beautiful picture but aren't really to pay for it. However, am not that so Profit oriented" I don't over charge my clients. I give my clients the best affordable price that won't hurt me or hurt them too because my major motive is to make people smile and even with the charges, my clients still smile.

Can you tell us the range amount photography fetch you in a month as a young entrepreneur?

Well, Let me make use of the words it depends on market. Photography is wide; so it depends on the photoshoot you have.  But so far the income has been good and have been able to feed and be self-independent.

What are the challenges you face in photography?

Uhmmm... In life there are hills and valleys, some of the challenges I have is getting clients to pay and the stress because at times I might have to combine two photo sessions together and make sure I satisfy my clients, or having two jobs at the same time. So, it hasn't been that easy most especially having to edit over 100 pictures at a sitting within a time frame is really challenging too.

In the next 5years, do you see yourself as a photographer or a barrister?

Lol... I see myself as both and I believe with God all things are possible.

Who are you looking up to in the photographic world?

My Father and Bayo Omoboriowo, the official photographer to President Buhari, he really blows my mind with his pictures.

Your advice to youths out there who still blame government for being unemployed.

My humble advice is that youth should stop depending solely on the government. Find something profitable doing. We can't sit down and fold our hands and expect the government to do it all for us. Let's search within ourselves and look for what we can do to earn a living and make our society better. No matter how little it might seem, it still counts.

Finally, say shoutout to your clients, friends and family.

Wow!!! I want to say a Big shout-out to all my clients, friends and family. I can't mention all names. But my heartfelt gratitude goes to everyone especially the ever gallant Great Ife Student, OAU community at large, NIDSA OAU and national, Ife Law, Justice chambers, GLT family, Anglican Church of Nigeria. And all my love ones. I really love you. Thanks to Mcee_Tosdam for the interview too. Am so grateful.  Thanks for your patronage and TOSBAJ_Concept promise to serve u better. "Your Smile makes Us Smile 😊"