Sijibomi
Ogundele is the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Construction Limited. At
34, he is a billionaire with various investments, and entrepreneur with a
difference. He speaks in this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE about his business
and style. Excerpts:
You
recently delivered luxury estate, Medici Terraces, in Ikoyi, just within few
months of your operations in Lagos. What did it take to put it all together,
judging from the fact that it was sold out in record time?
The Medici Terraces was a successful project because we were true to our words of setting high standards, paying attention to details and not compromising on quality. We used the best raw materials, the best team and inputted outstanding features in the property. The facility management and concierge service, which is a subsidiary of Sujimoto Group, handles the day to day running of the property, giving residents the ultimate experience that cannot be derived anywhere else.
Our business mantra is “Build It, Sell It, Manage It.” So we always aim to exceed expectations in all three aspects. My main focus was to create the most beautiful town-house property in a choice area on the island in Lagos, and I dedicated all my effort into generating quality and value; ignoring immediate gratification.
The Medici Terraces was a successful project because we were true to our words of setting high standards, paying attention to details and not compromising on quality. We used the best raw materials, the best team and inputted outstanding features in the property. The facility management and concierge service, which is a subsidiary of Sujimoto Group, handles the day to day running of the property, giving residents the ultimate experience that cannot be derived anywhere else.
Our business mantra is “Build It, Sell It, Manage It.” So we always aim to exceed expectations in all three aspects. My main focus was to create the most beautiful town-house property in a choice area on the island in Lagos, and I dedicated all my effort into generating quality and value; ignoring immediate gratification.
What
exactly would you say are the setbacks to the development of the real estate
industry in Nigeria?
A few things come to mind as the setbacks to real estate development. The craftsmanship, lack of technical know-how, the significance of expertise and proper training are undervalued in Nigeria. As a result, finishing, quality and attention to detail are compromised.
A few things come to mind as the setbacks to real estate development. The craftsmanship, lack of technical know-how, the significance of expertise and proper training are undervalued in Nigeria. As a result, finishing, quality and attention to detail are compromised.
If we
want to compete with foreign developers such as the Germans, Lebanese and
Italians that have spent decades mastering their craft, we will need to raise
our standards in the Nigerian construction market. When people refer to quality
as being expensive, I always correct them saying it’s not; what is expensive is
our intention to deliver quality.
