About

Tara Fela Durotoye: The Bold

Tara Fela-Durotoye was born at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos to John Ejegi Sagay, a commissioner at the Federal Civil Service, Nigeria and Felicia Omaghomi. The couple separated when she was eight months old; and being a polygamous home, she was brought up by her stepmother, Modupe Agnes Sagay. She started her education at Command Children School, Victoria Island and proceeded to Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Ojo, where she was a boarder. In form 5, she was made the Sanitary and Welfare Prefect. She graduated from the Lagos State University, with a degree in Law and proceeded to establish the House of Tara International

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a pioneering entrepreneur, global thought leader, and social impact advocate who has revolutionized Africa's beauty industry. As the founder and CEO of House of Tara International, she has built Nigeria's first makeup school and launched groundbreaking beauty lines, which celebrates the African heritage, including the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired Perfume, and the H.I.P Beauty range. Her innovative contributions have positioned House of Tara as a leading African brand with international recognition.

Under her leadership, House of Tara has grown to include 23 stores and 14 beauty schools across Africa, empowering over 10,000 beauty representatives. Tara's work transcends business; it embodies a commitment to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for women across the continent to build thriving careers and sustainable businesses.

Global Recognition

Named one of Forbes' 20 Young Power Women in Africa (2013) and one of Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women (2020).
Honored with the African Makeup Icon Award (2018) by the Ghana Makeup Awards.
Awarded Most Outstanding Business Woman of the Year (2018) by the African Economy Builders Awards.
Recognized by the Nigerian government with a Presidential Award for her significant contributions to entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Education & Leadership Development

Tara is an alumna of world-renowned institutions, including:

Lagos Business School
INSEAD Abu Dhabi
Yale University
Stanford SEED Transformation Programme
Harvard Kennedy School

She is also a member of the France/Nigeria Investment Club, established by French President Emmanuel Macron to foster economic collaboration and bilateral investment opportunities.

Global Advocacy & Leadership

Tara serves on several boards, including Bridge International Academies and the African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative (AWEC) in New York. A sought-after speaker, she has shared her expertise on international platforms such as the New York Forum Africa, highlighting Africa's business opportunities and the potential for global collaboration.

Her advocacy focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs, fostering leadership development, and driving social transformation through the beauty industry and beyond.

Legacy & Vision

Tara's work is a testament to her passion for innovation, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. She inspires the next generation of African entrepreneurs, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Tara Fela-Durotoye is a Nigerian beauty entrepreneur and lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. She's a Mentor, Business Coach, Speaker and a seasoned Entrepreneur.