By Victor Ikem
Known for his audacious mantras—“1+1 = 11,” “It is too late to fail,” “Motomatic,” “We don’t aim to be 10% better, but 10 times better,” “Anything below quality is unacceptable,” and “We have studied the best, and what we are building beats the best”—Sujimoto has become a byword for luxury, innovation, and resilience in Africa’s real estate narrative. These are not just catchy slogans; they are the guiding principles behind Sujimoto Group, Nigeria’s foremost and one of Africa’s most iconic luxury real estate brands.
In Nigeria’s dynamic and often unpredictable business landscape, few enterprises have captured the imagination and admiration of the public like Sujimoto. Renowned for delivering architectural marvels that rival global standards, the company has redefined high-end living through a string of remarkable landmark projects.
Among these is the Lucrezia by Sujimoto, the tallest residential building in Banana Island, featuring Nigeria’s first glass-reinforced concrete façade, private elevators, a virtual golf bar, and a rooftop lounge with stunning views. There’s also the Giuliano, a series of private residences in Ikoyi that redefined smart luxury homes in West Africa. The LeonardoBySujimoto, an ambitious waterfront high-rise inspired by the spirit of Da Vinci, is another testament to the company’s penchant for blending innovation with grandeur.
Other notable mentions include the Sujimoto Twin Towers, billed to become the tallest twin towers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
These developments are more than buildings—they are symbols of possibility and
progress. Yet, achieving these feats has not come without challenges. Like many businesses in emerging markets, Sujimoto has had to navigate harsh economic realities: a volatile naira, high inflation, rising construction costs, and an increasingly complex policy environment. For a luxury brand that depends on foreign materials and global investors, these hurdles are real and relentless.
Still, Sijibomi Ogundele, the visionary founder and CEO, has stayed the course. A lawyer-turned-entrepreneur, Ogundele exemplifies fearless leadership. While others retreat in the face of adversity, he presses forward, driven by a conviction
deserves world-class architecture and its people deserve to dream—and live—big.
Despite temporary headwinds, Sujimoto’s foundation remains solid. With real estate assets worth billions across Nigeria’s most exclusive neighborhoods, the company has sustained its operations, continued paying staff and vendors for the past twelve years, and supported nearly 800 families directly and indirectly.
From Lagos to Abuja, and from the East to the North, Sujimoto’s developments continue to stimulate local economies, provide jobs, and inspire a new generation of architects, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
But Sujimoto is more than a real estate company—it is an enabler of dreams. Through vocational training, partnerships with artisans, and youth empowerment programs, the company is also building human capital. It is a living case study of how business can drive development.
What truly distinguishes Sujimoto is not just its portfolio but its unshakable vision. Ogundele doesn’t just want to build homes—he wants to reshape the skyline, reposition Nigeria on the global luxury map, and rewrite the story of African enterprise.
His leadership turns crises into catalysts. Setbacks become stepping stones. With each challenge, Sujimoto has emerged more focused, more refined, and more determined. Like Apple, Tesla, or Amazon, whose histories are filled with moments of doubt before glory,
Sujimoto’s journey is marked by resilience and relentless reinvention.
As the company undergoes strategic restructuring and positions itself for its next chapter, it remains anchored on strong fundamentals and a burning desire to deliver only the extraordinary.
As Sijibomi Ogundele turns 44 on April 8, 2025, his story continues to inspire a continent.
From humble beginnings in Agege to becoming one of the most daring developers in Africa, Ogundele’s journey is a masterclass in dreaming big, staying bold, and building legacies.
Sujimoto is not just a brand—it is a movement. A symbol of African excellence. A bold vision that dares to defy gravity.
