The Founder and Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele, has urged African entrepreneurs to desert imitation and embrace originality that may compete on a world scale.
Talking in Lagos, Ogundele criticised what he described as “microwave entrepreneurship” — ventures constructed for applause slightly than legacy. “We can’t afford to do me-too initiatives,” he stated. “All these copy-and-paste companies are killing originality. Imitation is just not innovation, and imitation all the time results in limitation.”
He emphasised that African entrepreneurs should measure themselves not by native requirements however by international excellence. “Dangote isn’t competing with anybody in Nigeria,” he declared. “He’s competing with eight billion folks on the earth. That’s how we should suppose.”
Ogundele described the Sujimoto journey as one among resilience solid via setbacks, delays, and debt. “Sure, we owe. Sure, we face challenges,” he admitted. “However even Dangote’s debt may make a few of us faint. Stress is proof of goal.”
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, when initiatives throughout Lagos have been stalled, Sujimoto pressed on with Lucrezia By Sujimoto, a luxurious high-rise now nearing completion and set for supply in December 2025. The corporate’s portfolio additionally contains landmark initiatives akin to Leonardo, Queen Amina, Sujimoto Twin Towers, and the upcoming Polo Good Metropolis Abuja — a sustainable luxurious district within the FCT.
Ogundele framed debt as a mark of ambition slightly than failure. “Even Elon Musk has debt. Otedola has debt. Dangote has debt. You probably have none, perhaps you’re not dreaming large enough,” he quipped.
In keeping with him, Sujimoto maintains transparency and integrity in its dealings. “We have now over ₦200 billion in property, and a ₦3, ₦10 and even ₦20 billion debt can’t derail a imaginative and prescient constructed on self-discipline. So long as our debt funds manufacturing, not consumption, it’s an funding sooner or later.”
He additionally referred to as on Nigerian entrepreneurs to develop into self-reliant. “Be your personal authorities. Construct your personal roads. Generate your personal energy. Dig your personal water,” he stated. “Complaints don’t assemble cities, braveness does.”
On Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Ogundele spoke with admiration. “Dangote is not only a businessman; he’s a nationwide asset,” he stated. “He conjures up me from a distance. Individuals mocked his refinery challenge, however at this time, these critics are silent. Visionaries are all the time misunderstood till they win.”
He added that the success of Dangote’s refinery ought to problem a brand new era of entrepreneurs to suppose boldly. “If one man can remodel uncooked commodities into international worth chains, what excuse does a whole era have for small imaginative and prescient?”
Past actual property, Ogundele revealed that Sujimoto is diversifying into FMCG, fintech, and manufacturing to satisfy Africa’s rising shopper wants. “True wealth isn’t in luxurious alone — it’s in creating merchandise folks want every single day,” he stated. “We’re not simply constructing towers of marble; we’re constructing methods of worth.”
For Ogundele, the final word aim is legacy. “In ten years, lots of at this time’s entrepreneurs will likely be of their fifties,” he mirrored. “The query is — what legacy will we hand over? Copied concepts or a skyline that proves we have been right here?”
He concluded with a name to motion for Africa’s new era of innovators: “Africa doesn’t want permission to dream — solely the braveness to construct.”
