The Man
Engr. Femi Sanni (ARABA) —
Civil Engineer | Media Mogul | Social Impact Investor | Political Leader.
Engr. Femi Sanni, popularly known by the moniker "Araba," is a distinguished Nigerian engineer, multi-sector entrepreneur and philanthropist. With a career spanning over 39 years, Sanni has established himself as a bridge-builder between technical excellence and socio-economic transformation. He is a COREN-registered engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE). He is the Chairman of the STEFOLGA Group and the founder of Flow 92.7 FM in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Early Life & Education
Sanni grew up in GRA, Ilorin with a strong love for football, a passion he inherited from his father who managed the defunct Tate and Lyle FC in Ilorin. He began his education at Bishop Smith Primary School, Ilorin and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Ilorin, before earning a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from the University of Ilorin.
Driven by a vision for development beyond borders, he expanded his horizons internationally by establishing business interests in Toronto, Canada, through TECHNOplus Communications Inc., gaining global exposure that continues to shape his approach to development, industry and media. He subsequently returned to focus his energy on advancing Nigeria’s industrial and media landscapes.
Professional Portfolio
- • Engineering & Infrastructure: A COREN-registered engineer and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (FNICE). He has led large-scale projects through the Stefolga Group, focusing on affordable infrastructure and technical ingenuity.
- • Media & Communications: As the Chairman of Flow 92.7 FM, he transformed the station into a leading voice for youth empowerment and community enlightenment in North-Central Nigeria.
- • Innovation: He is credited with founding Africa’s first mobile phone repair assurance company, reflecting his early adoption of tech-driven service solutions.
- • Energy: He served as the pioneer President of the Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (NLPGA) in Abuja, advocating for clean energy adoption.
Social Impact & Philanthropy
Sanni is a major advocate for youth development, famously stating that:"Youths shouldn't wait for the perfect moment to start."
- • Sports: He chairs the Araba Football Club, a scouting and developmental platform for young athletic talent.
- • Recognition: In February 2026, he was nominated for the Social Impact Investor of the Year at the Silver Jubilee Independent Awards for his grassroots interventions in education and community welfare.
- • Chieftaincy: His cultural contributions are recognized through several titles, including the Otun Aare Soludero of Offa Land and the Gbobaniyi of Obbo-Aiyegunle.
Political Vision & 2027 Ambition
A veteran in the political space, Sanni contested for the House of Representatives in 2003 and the Kwara governorship in 2019. On April 2, 2026, he officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 Kwara State Governorship under the APC banner.
His "Araba Vision" for Kwara includes:
- • Conference Tourism: Repositioning Kwara as Nigeria’s premier hub for business tourism and international exhibitions.
- • Economic Diversification: Shifting the state from a civil service-reliant economy to an entrepreneurial and industrial power.
- • Security: Advocating for state policing and enhanced security frameworks to protect investments and citizens.
"Politics, to me, is a tool for meaningful change. I have always believed that for society to thrive, people with integrity, experience, and outside-the-box thinking must step into leadership."