Personality in Focus
The Phenomenal Rise of Estate Giant, Sijibomi Ogundele (Sujimoto)
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The story of Sijibomi Ogundele, better known as “Sujimoto” who is now one of the youngest billionaire in Nigeria is inspiring and a reference point for a youngman, who desires to conquer. It is worthy of note that as at today, Sijibomi sits atop over $400 million worth company.
Dressed in a simple Polo T-Shirt on a Friday Evening, Sijibomi Ogundele, Nigeria’s youngest Billionaire and Luxury Real Estate Czar, can be seen on the Lucrezia project site, in the prestigious Banana Island neighborhood, inspecting the work done and ensuring every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed.
No one would have thought that this man, who is currently worth billions, was once a Souvenir hawker in France and also did alabaru for his trader Mum in Africa’s most populous market – Oke-Arin, where he was nurtured by enterprising Igbo Traders, which ignited his passion for business.
Growing up in the slum of Agege, as a little 8-year-old, Sijibomi’s first introduction to Entrepreneurship was when he started a bike business popularly called‘Okada’ business, from his little savings. Despite the usual African Parent’s disapproval, he drew inspiration from his mother’s entrepreneurial spirit and grew his Okada business from 1 to 6 motorcycles, a testament to his strong, resolute and resilient business mind.
A rose that grew from concrete, Mr. Ogundele who is only 39 has built his company, Sujimoto Group, in just 5 years, into a Luxury Construction behemoth, focused on building extraordinary edifices in premium neighborhoods of Ikoyi and Banana Island. With annual revenue of approximately $30 million and many other pending projects, Mr. Ogundele believes the Sujimoto group is worth over $400 Million.
His look may be modest but his ambition belies his modesty. After an encounter with the King of Dubai who pushed his ambitious project – LorenzoBySujimoto, from 15 Storey building to a 30 storey building, reminding him that; “To be second is to be last! If people in their 30’s are building 5000 units annually in Asia, 75 units shouldn’t scare you.”According to Mr. Ogundele; “I believe in Nigeria. My passion comes from my patriotism. I believe that the Nigeria that produced the MKOs, the Dantatas, and the Ojukwus, also has something great in store for me.”
The Lawyer tuned Entrepreneur who is son to a John Holt Manager and a trader mother never had the opportunity to attend King’s College or other expensive private schools but attended public schools. With a dream to revolutionize the Nigerian Luxury real estate space and an ambition taller than the Burj Khalifa, one can only wonder how he has steered his company to survive the brutal economic recessions within the last 5 years, growing stronger, bigger and better, to the consternation of the pessimists.
Sujimoto’s Giuliano project which is 100% covered in travertine stone, fully automated, 1st project with each unit having its private elevator and an award-winning Zaha Hadid Bathroom for Porscelanosa, set the standard for a luxury terrace in Banana Island, attracting clients like MD of multinationals, billionaires and music entrepreneur – Davido.
A stone throws from the Giuliano; Sujimoto is building what has been dubbed the tallest residential building in Banana Island – the LucreziaBySujimoto. A revolutionary building, never before seen in Nigeria or Africa! The first building with Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) façade, Full Home Automation, private IMAX Cinema for the residents, standard crèche, Indoor Virtual Golf with over 2,500 courses worldwide to play on, swimming pool in the sky and other exciting features. Sitting on the 12th floor is the best penthouse in Africa. A project that sets an enviable standard for luxury residential apartments in Nigeria with a sales value worth $46 and a delivery deadline of December 2021.
Speaking on the Lucrezia, Mr. Ogundele made a startling revelation; “We are building the best condominium not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. The Lucrezia Penthouse comes with a private elevator, private cinema, private golf, private gym, and a private pool! The Lucrezia is very special to us because Sujimoto is divesting from Residential Projects with 80% of our real estate interest into Commercial Projects.
When asked about the company’s plan to accommodate smaller units, Mr. Ogundele was very quick to add that the company has a new project that is almost sold out! According to him; “Many people have approached us about building smaller and more affordable units with the Sujimoto standard and we have responded with a revolutionary project called the LeonardoBySujimoto. With LeonardoBySujimoto, you can own a Sujimoto Apartment without breaking the Bank. We have studied the best apartments and what we are creating, beats the best.
The Affordable Luxury Project – Leonardo, comes in 2, 3, and 4 Bedroom Units and it is a great investment offer as the 3 bedrooms which are currently selling for N250million will go for N450million once the project is launched later in the year. According to Mr. Ogundele, the present pricing still beats the best apartments in Bourdillon and Eko Atlantic. He also noted that the current price offer will expire by the end of the month.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Hotel Outlook for 2018-2022 has projected that the hospitality market in Nigeria will experience a compound annual increase in the next 5 years.
According to Ogundele, the same passion with which we redefined luxury living in Nigeria, is the same passion we are bringing into the Nigerian Hospitality and Commercial space. We have toured some of the best hotels in the world such as the Address Hotel, Downtown Dubai, the Baccarat Hotel in New York City, and the Dorchester Hotel in London. Sujimoto is building the S-Hotel, African hospitality with a Four Season services. We are building a hotel that is Customer addictive, where putting the customer 1st becomes our priority, from Janitor to General Managers.
Three fundamental qualities separate the S hotel from others: Design, Price, and Service. The plan is to get rid of mediocre experience in the hospitality industry, building one luxury hotel at a time. The focus, therefore, is to build one luxury hotel in the State capital city of every African country, starting from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The plan is before 2030, we would have built over 100 luxury hotels with 16,000 rooms, worth $1.9 billion in the portfolio, a move which will bring the company’s overall worth to over $5 billion in 10 years.
In addition to the company’s expansion plan, Mr. Ogundele made it known that Sujimoto is building a world-class Plaza, first of its kind, in Ikoyi and Abuja, with a 2021 and 2022 projection for completion. This 6-in-1 Plaza by Sujimoto is a contemporary one-stop-shop retail and hospitality center, featuring innovative state-of-the-art equipment, rooftop lounge, and bar, premium restaurants, world-class gym, retail shops other premium features.
Upon completion, each project should be valued at approximately N47 Billion, with a combined rental income of about N11billion annually. According to Mr. Ogundele, ‘By 2030, we hope to have completed 61 different malls and plazas in Nigeria and across major African cities, a portfolio worth about $3billion.”
Despite the huge effect of the COVID-19 on businesses and economies, where banks have put a halt to every construction project, Sujimoto just raised N3.5 Billion for the Lucrezia which is sold out with just 2 units left! According to Mr. Ogundele Sujimoto;
“At Sujimoto, we do not see a recession, because for us crises are opportunities disguised as problems! We have developed a highly viable and profitable strategy and found an opportunity for savvy investors to invest N5 billion into Sujimoto and get N10 billion back in 3 years.
This is debt and not equity, and it is guaranteed. Treasury bills and other money market instruments will give you a 5 – 10% ROI on your investment but this is 100% ROI and it is guaranteed! This investment is NOT for everyone, it is ONLY for the vital few, who can identify opportunities when they see one.
One of the reasons why Sujimoto can stand out and guarantee good price and quality is the strength of the company’s procurement capacity and global reach. Mr. Ogundele explained that “We don’t use 3rd parties when it comes to projects; we speak directly to the manufacturers because we want to guarantee two fundamental things – prudent spending and assurance of quality. With offices in Dubai, Gwanzo, and New York City and numerous ambitious projects, one wonders what Sujimoto Group will be worth in 10 years to come.
According to Mr. Ogundele; “Our biggest motivation is our critics because, without them, we couldn’t have come this far. There’s nothing we have today, that we got on a platter of gold. We worked two times harder, 3 times more, just to prove that without a rich Aunty or Uncle, you can get to your destiny”.
Speaking on some of the challenges he has had to contend with in business, Mr. Ogundele recalled the event of 2016 and 2017 where he had conceived and developed the biggest project in Nigeria, over 90 Million USD to build the tallest residential building in Sub-Saharan Africa – the LorenzoBySujimoto.
“After all the investment in time, money, and passion, the recession hit badly, and investors pulled out. The economy was so bad that I had to refund hundreds of millions to our off-takers. Amid the chaos, like the phoenix that rises from the ashes, the Giuliano project was born! A project of terrace houses in Africa’s richest neighborhood – Banana Island. And 20 months after, the record-breaking Giuliano has metamorphosed from a proof-of-concept to a proof-of-product! Fully sold-out 6-Months before completion.”
Many have opined that the young and dynamic Motomatician might be eyeing a political position, but according to Mr. Ogundele, “the business of politics is bigger than the politics of business. We are focused on business but we shall support the government. To us, the Government is like a beautiful woman, marry her only when she is an asset, not a liability.”
When asked if he was married, the single and eligible bachelor who insisted he was married without a wife, claimed that his wife is young and very jealous, she’s Sujimoto.
The National President of the Remo Secondary School Old Students Association (RSSOSA), Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has celebrated the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, Mr. Damola Aiyeola, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, describing him as a God-fearing family man, committed leader and an exemplary Old Student whose years of service have continued to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and the development of Remo Secondary School and beyond.
In a special birthday message marking the significant milestone, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking described Aiyeola’s 60 years as a life of purpose, faith, family, leadership and service, noting that his contributions to RSSOSA demonstrate a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with belonging to an association of Old Students.
The RSSOSA National President praised Aiyeola’s leadership as the National Vice President of the Association’s UK Branch, noting that his contribution goes beyond occupying an executive position to actively using his platform to advance the welfare of students and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the alma mater.
Aare Adetola Emmanuelking particularly highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch, describing them as tangible expressions of the responsibility that Old Students owe to the institution that shaped them.
Some of the notable interventions include the renovation of the UK-adopted classrooms at Remo Secondary School; the donation of learning materials to exceptional students across the Senior and Junior sections of the school; and the support and funding of holiday tutorials for SS3 students. The tutorial programme was further complemented by the donation of textbooks and sanitary pads to the students, addressing both their educational and personal welfare needs.
Commending these initiatives, the RSSOSA National President described Mr. Damola Aiyeola as a leader whose influence is evident in the positive impact being recorded by the UK Branch.
According to him, Aiyeola’s leadership reflects the importance of having people who understand that alumni leadership is ultimately about service, responsibility and giving back. He noted that the story of the RSSOSA UK Branch under Aiyeola’s watch is one of Old Students turning their affection for their alma mater into measurable interventions that improve the lives of present-day students.
As Mr. Damola Aiyeola marks his diamond jubilee, the RSSOSA National President prayed that God would continue to strengthen him, preserve his life and grant him the wisdom and grace required for greater responsibilities.
He prayed for divine health, protection, prosperity, renewed strength and continued fulfilment, asking God to bless and preserve his family and reward the celebrant for his commitment to service.
He further prayed that the years ahead would be even more fruitful and impactful, with greater opportunities to contribute to the advancement of RSSOSA, the UK Branch and Remo Secondary School.
Ethel Caterham, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person, has turned 117.
Caterham celebrated her birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, where she lives.
“Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I’ve had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King!” Caterham said in a birthday message shared through her care home.
“I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings!”
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Caterham is the last known surviving person born during the reign of King Edward VII.
She became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025 after the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116. Guinness World Records also recognises her as the oldest living woman.
Caterham travelled alone to India at 18, where she worked as a nanny for a British family.
She later met British Army officer Norman Caterham at a dinner party in 1931. They married in 1933 and lived in several countries, including Hong Kong, where Caterham set up a kindergarten.
The couple later returned to Britain and raised two daughters. Norman died in 1976. Caterham has since outlived both daughters and is now a grandmother of three and great-grandmother of five.
Her long life has spanned two World Wars, the sinking of the Titanic and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also survived COVID-19 at the age of 110.
Caterham has previously said she believes avoiding arguments has helped her live a long life.
“Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like,” she said.
One of the highlights of Caterham’s past year was meeting King Charles III in September 2025.
During their meeting, she recalled watching his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969, when he was 21.
“All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you,” she told the King.
Caterham later described meeting Charles and holding his hand as two of the memorable “firsts” she experienced during her 116th year.
The world’s oldest living man, Brazil’s João Marinho Neto, also sent birthday wishes to Caterham, according to Guinness World Records.
Despite reaching 117, Caterham remains five years short of the verified record for the oldest person ever. That record belongs to Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.
For now, Caterham continues to celebrate life with her family and friends while looking ahead to another milestone year.
The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has extended warm congratulations to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on the occasion of his 30th wedding anniversary with his beautiful wife, Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, describing the milestone as a reflection of the stability and discipline the IGP has brought to both his home and his office.
Mrs. Disu, who doubles as National President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), the umbrella body for wives and spouses of police officers nationwide, has been a steady presence alongside her husband through a career that has spanned more than three decades of policing, culminating in his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the nation’s 23rd indigenous Inspector-General in February 2026.
In a statement signed by NAOSNP National President, Mayor Oki O. Samson, the Association described the union as “a partnership that has clearly shaped a man now trusted with the safety of over 200 million Nigerians,” adding that “thirty years of marriage is no small feat, and we join well-wishers across the country in celebrating the IGP and his amiable wife on this golden occasion.”
The Association noted that Mrs. Disu’s leadership of POWA has itself been an extension of her husband’s community-first approach to policing, with the association playing a quiet but consistent role in supporting the welfare of officers’ families across the Force. This is a mission that mirrors IGP Disu’s own emphasis on troop and personnel welfare since assumption of office.
Beyond the celebration, NAOSNP used the opportunity to reflect on what it described as the sterling contributions IGP Disu has made to President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing security architecture reforms in his first six months in office. The Association recalled that the IGP’s appointment came at a pivotal moment in the country’s history, as the Presidency pursued the most far-reaching restructuring of Nigeria’s security institutions since the Civil War. The reforms include the State Police bill now passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve divisions, and the rollout of the Forest Guard corps.
“IGP Disu has actively complimented the reform agenda of Mr. President Tinubu,” Mayor Oki said. “From his welfare-driven leadership of the rank and file to his insistence on intelligence-led and community-rooted policing which were the same approach that made him a celebrated name at the Lagos RRS, he has shown that the Force under his watch is a willing and capable partner in Mr President’s vision for a secure Nigeria.”
NAOSNP also heaped praises on the IGP for the Force’s professional conduct during the just-concluded Osun State governorship election held on August 15, 2026. The Association noted that IGP Disu personally directed a massive security deployment led by DIG Ishyaku Mohammed to the State. The Police deployment included Police mobile units across all 30 local government areas, air and drone surveillance. The Police also engaged with civil society groups such as Yiaga Africa ahead of the poll to strengthen public trust in the process.
Despite isolated incidents, the election was widely adjudged as peaceful and credible, with candidates across party lines, INEC officials, media and residents commended the professionalism of Police officers on ground. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared winner, defeating APC’s Bola Oyebamiji by over 66,000 votes, in a contest that many observers say passed a key credibility test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Osun has once again proven that when the Police lead with professionalism and neutrality, Nigerians reward that conduct with confidence in the process,” Mayor Oki Samson stated.
NAOSNP concluded its statement by wishing IGP Disu and his wife many more years of marital bliss, and expressing confidence that the same discipline, patience and grace that has sustained their union will continue to guide his stewardship of the Nigeria Police Force in the months ahead.
