Sijibomi Ogundele (Born 8th April 1981) is a Nigerian billionaire entrepreneur known as the founder of the luxury real estate company Sujimoto. The 43 year-old started business as a young boy and today has become a prominent figure in the Nigerian business scene.
Ogundele started his career in the transportation industry, owning at least six motorcycles. With a passion for luxury real estate and a vision to redefine the Nigerian construction industry, he founded the Sujimoto Group in 2013. This piece will explore his biography, how he became one of the richest businessmen at a young age, and what Sujimoto deals with.
Sijibomi Ogundele’s Biography Summary
- Full name:Â Sijibomi Ogundele
- Nickname:Â Sujimoto
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth:Â 8th April 1981
- Sijibomi Ogundele’s Age: 43 Years Old
- Ethnicity:Â Yoruba
- Nationality:Â Nigeria
- Zodiac Sign:Â Aries
- Sexual Orientation:Â Straight
- Religion:Â Christian
- Marital Status:Â Single
- Sijibomi Ogundele’s Parents: Pa Samson Idowu and Mrs. Victoria Idayat Adebukola Ogundele
- Sijibomi Ogundele’s Net worth:Â $500 Million
- Famous for: Being the CEO of Sujimoto Group
- Sijibomi Ogundele’s Instagram:Â @sujimoto81
- Twitter:Â @sujimoto1
- Facebook:Â @Sijibomi Ogundele
Sijibomi Ogundele is From Osun State, Nigeria
Sijibomi Ogundele was born in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; however, he is a native of Osun State, Nigeria. He was born into a comfortable home with his father as a manager and his mother as a businesswoman.
He revealed in an interview that he left Zaria for Lagos alone when he was seven because he missed his mum. This was the reason why Ogundele went to the market with his mother while he was growing up. From this exposure, he developed a love for business and started making efforts to earn his own money.
There isn’t much about his parents and siblings, but he received the support and training he needed from his parents. Growing up, Sijibomi revealed that they lived in a poor environment where only two families had generators in the area. This motivated him to do whatever it took to get himself and his family out of poverty. The fear of poverty drove him to success.
He lost his father in August 2021, and Sijibomi buried him in a grand style in December 2021. The burial was attended by the high and mighty in society.
He Studied Both in Nigeria and Abroad
The billionaire businessman had his early childhood, primary, and secondary school education in Lagos State, Nigeria. He attended Oko-Oba Primary School, Agege for his primary education. Then he proceeded to Ijebu Ode Grammar School and later Lagos State Model College for his secondary school education.
For his university education, Ogundele attended the Anglia Ruskin University United Kingdom. He studied Law and graduated with an LLB degree. He further acquired some training and courses to prepare him for the business he was into. In 2022, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for his outstanding contribution to entrepreneurship in Africa by Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan.
How Sijibomi Ogundele Started His Career
As mentioned earlier, Sijibomi developed his love for business as a young boy. He followed his mother to the Oke-Arin market dominated by Igbo traders. The spirit he saw in these traders and how his mother progressed in her business made him love business, and he decided to venture into it. He started with transportation with motorcycles, then he went into lending to SMEs and Risk Management. He left Nigeria at the age of 16 (in 1997)in search of greener pastures, hawked souvenirs in the streets of France, and brokered deals for the Saudi Arabian family he worked for until he got his big break.
He began his career in risk assessment in 2004 and worked his way up to financing SMEs before founding Moto Finance in Paris. The company eventually expanded to Accra, Dubai, Madrid, and New York City, setting important industry milestones along the way. This made him travel to many countries and gather more experience and exposure.
Ogundele has been in the real estate business since 1998; he worked for someone until he made a big move. He decided to invest in the real estate business after he bought a house in France, reconstructed it with luxury items, and sold it for more than twice the price he bought it. With this, he decided to venture into real estate.
He Founded the Sujimoto Group in 2013
In 2013, Ogundele founded Sujimoto, a luxury real estate company focused on developing high-end properties in Nigeria. The company quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality, innovative design, and attention to detail. Sujimoto has undertaken several prestigious projects, including the Giuliano project in Banana Island, Lagos, which is considered one of the most expensive properties in Nigeria.
When Sijibomi established his company Sujimoto Group in 2013, it focused on real estate and construction at first. As time went by, more businesses were added to the group. Today, Sujimoto Group is a company with businesses like Mr. Meat, Sujimoto Smart City, Sujiwater, Sujimoto Residence, and Sujimoto Concrete. And it has offices in Lagos, Accra, Abuja, Dubai, Riyadh, Paris, and Madrid.
Ogundele’s approach to business centers around his belief in providing excellent value and exceeding customers’ expectations. He has emphasized the importance of understanding clients’ needs and ensuring that their desires are fully realized in every project. This commitment to customer satisfaction has contributed to Sujimoto’s reputation as a leading luxury real estate brand in Nigeria.
Sijibomi Ogundele’s Net Worth
Sijibomi Ogundele has an estimated net worth of $500 million. He is one of the richest real estate entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The businessman accrued his net worth from his dealings in risk management and majorly from his investment in the real estate industry. With the founding of Sujimoto, Ogundele made the biggest investment of his life. This company has contributed majorly to the net worth he enjoys today.
Who is Sijibomi Ogundele’s Wife?
At the moment, it is not open whether Sijibomi is married. In 2017, he posted a thread on one of his social media handles, stating that he would gift his future wife the latest Rolls Royce Sweptail worth $13 million and a house at Banana Island, Lagos.
In 2020, rumors made their rounds on the internet that Sijibomi was dating the Nigerian-based Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim. This came after the actress was spotted in the car Ogundele promised his wife. She also posted a picture where she is in the car on her Twitter account with the comment, “New Baby! New House!” She also tagged Sujimoto in the post.
There has not been any statement from Juliet Ibrahim or Sijibomi confirming or denying these claims. Meanwhile, Juliet Ibrahim has had a failed marriage and many other failed relationships. Time will tell if these two are in a relationship or not.
He Gives Back to Society
Besides his success in the real estate industry, Ogundele is also involved in philanthropic activities. Having grown up in a poor environment, Sijibomi has taken it upon himself to help alleviate poverty for the underprivileged in society. He has initiated several projects aimed at empowering young Nigerians, including scholarships for underprivileged students and mentorship programs for aspiring entrepreneurs.
During his 40th birthday, Ogundele visited Bright Achiever’s School, a free slum school located in Ilaje Bariga. Over 400 students benefited from his charity. He has been doing this for many others, including his alma mater, Oko-Oba Primary School.