Ekiti-based chef Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy, has formally completed her studies at the Hospitality Business School (HBS) in Lagos, marking a significant advancement in her professional culinary development.
According to a confirmation issued by Horecabb Mentors, owners of HBS, Chef Dammy successfully concluded the institution’s Professional Culinary Art Chef Diploma Program, which she attended under a full scholarship. Her public profile first rose following her June 2023 cook-a-thon attempt.
In a statement shared via her official Instagram account on Tuesday, she expressed appreciation and noted that her graduation renders her “officially a professional chef,” further describing HBS as “the best hospitality school in Nigeria, first in Africa, and among the top ten globally.” She attributed her achievement to the support she received from various individuals and institutions, offering gratitude to her sponsors, supporters, and the school.
Chef Dammy had earlier documented her initial experiences upon resuming the program in February 2025, recounting the positive reception she received from fellow students while appearing in the school’s official uniform for the first time.
She also acknowledged the contributions of Nigerian food entrepreneur Oluwatobi Fletcher (Ofadaboy), HBS Group Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mekwuye Eric, and the Ekiti State Government, all of whom facilitated her enrollment.
According to Dr. Mekwuye, the scholarship initiative—jointly sponsored by HBS, Ofadaboy, and the Ekiti State Government with support from the First Lady, Yemi Oyebanji—includes five supplementary courses designed to equip beneficiaries with comprehensive and well-rounded culinary skills.#newsafro_
