Solarin was inspired by the writings of Nnamdi Azikiwe who encouraged young people to travel abroad for study.

[2] Solarin returned to Nigeria and became a tutor at Molusi College, which was supported by the community and Christians in Ijebu-Igbo.

[3] The Mayflower campus, which he established, is made up of hundreds of hectares of land, based in Tai Solarin's birthplace, Ikenne, Ogun State.

The campus includes classrooms, administration buildings, small houses for many of the teachers, dormitory accommodations for about 5,000 boarders, and a farm.

Tai Solarin is one of the post-Independence civil rights critics and activists in his native Nigeria; some others were Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (musician) Beko Ransome-Kuti, Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate), Ayodele Awojobi, Dele Giwa, Gani Fawehinmi (lawyer), and Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Throughout his lifetime Tai fought running battles with various governments in a bid to improve the lot of Nigerians.

His writings in magazines and newspapers, highlighting what he called the hypocrisy and vulgarity of the Nigeria of his day, frequently angered people in power.

In a country and an age where dignitaries wore flowing Agbada to show their wealth and position, Tai was known to always wear simple khaki shorts and shirt.

'I fight with an indomitable spirit, my back to the wall, defeat is for those who accept it' 'The greatest strands of affection are woven in adversity.

"[6] In 2004, the Mayflower School played host to an International Humanist Conference, commemorating the life and work of Tai Solarin.