Seven Powerful Lessons That Prove Your Team Is the Greatest Wealth You’ll Ever Build…This week, I did something unexpected.
I sat across a Zoom screen with my Executive Team—particularly HR—and asked a question that had nothing to do with sales, expansion, or boardroom strategy.
I simply said: “Bring me a list.”
Not just a roll call of staff, but the names of every single person who has walked this journey with us for over three years.
Immediately, the room shifted. I saw worry spread like fog. The HR lead looked tense, and the stillness in the room echoed their unspoken fears.
They braced themselves, expecting another round of restructuring.
Another wave of layoffs. I interrupted the silence with clarity.
“This is not about downsizing,” I said. “It’s about honour.” Because I believe that at Sujimoto Holdings, loyalty isn’t forgotten — it’s rewarded.
Those who stood with us through fire and hardship deserve more than a thank you. They deserve transformation.
Let’s be honest: Nigeria is tough right now.
Salaries alone can’t carry a man to the end of the month—let alone a father with three children, rising school fees, rent, and a fragile dignity to protect.
The system is ruthless. But while the economy may be harsh, our compassion must be stronger.
So we asked a deeper question: What more can we do? We already pay rent for some staff. We already support school fees for over 20 families.
But can we stretch further—past the payslip into the silent battles our people fight when no one’s looking? Because behind every job title is a journey.
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And behind every employee is a story the office may never fully see.
We’ve heard it a thousand times: “Some staff are bad.” And yes, some are.
We’ve had our share of mistakes—some that nearly cost us everything.
But here’s what they never tell you: one bad apple doesn’t spoil the orchard. I’ve watched janitors show more integrity than executives.
I’ve seen young staff—when Sujimoto was barely surviving—dip into their personal funds to keep operations going.
Not because they had plenty, but because they had belief. That’s not just loyalty. That’s legacy.
These are not just employees. They are the backbone of everything we’ve built.
In fact, when we ran the numbers, we discovered something extraordinary: over 100 of our team members have been with us for more than three years.
Through every high and low, they stood— unshaken. That level of commitment isn’t accidental. It’s the soul of an enduring institution.
If you truly believe your company is only as strong as the people who build it, then investing in them is not a gift—it is a sacred responsibility.
There was a time when Sujimoto had over 900 staff. Today, we’re less than a third of that. Not because the dream died—but because the economy stopped breathing.
And yet, I say this with unwavering conviction: if the environment were right… if power and policy worked together…
If infrastructure matched ambition, we have the courage, the brain capital, and the hunger to employ over 10,000 Nigerians.
Before we talk about the future, we must honour our past.
When we were building Lucrezia— set to be unveiled in Q4 2025—we saw over 2,000 hands, from labourers to engineers, pour their sweat into what is now the tallest residential tower in Banana Island and the most sophisticated building in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through delays and setbacks, they stood firm. Today, Lucrezia isn’t just a building; it’s a living monument to resilience and belief.
Our Sujimoto Twin Towers, Africa’s first true 3-in-1 luxury development, will employ over 2,000 people—merging world-class residences, five-star hospitality, and premium retail into one iconic landmark.
Equally iconic is Queen Amina by Sujimoto—soon to be the tallest tower in Northern Nigeria. Inspired by the legendary warrior queen, it will feature luxury residences, a five-star hotel, and commercial spaces, engaging over 2,000 workers and elevating Northern hospitality to world- class status.
Also on the horizon is Motopay, our upcoming fintech revolution in digital banking.
With a futuristic scan-to-pay feature, its set to transform how Nigerians shop, connect, and transact.
Alongside this is our cement plant, Smart City projects, and a landmark infrastructure collaboration with the Federal Government—together forming a powerful blueprint for mass transformation, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities across every geopolitical zone.
These aren’t just projects. They are platforms of possibility. And their ripple effect will do more than change lives—they will reshape generations.
Some of our people have been with us for nine—even ten—years.
From janitors to general managers, they haven’t just worked here; they’ve grown here.
They’ve stayed. And when someone stays that long, they stop being staff—they become a stone in the foundation of your legacy.
Yes, paying rent is noble. But what if we went further? What if we helped them own homes? What if we didn’t just pay tuition, but helped fund the futures of their children? Because at this stage, it’s no longer compensation—it’s succession planning.
We’re not just helping raise children. We’re helping raise the leaders of tomorrow.
I often remind my team: “Salary will feed you—but it won’t free you.” Because true wealth isn’t found in a monthly paycheck.
It’s found in ownership—in building something bigger than yourself, and knowing, “I didn’t just witness the vision. I helped build it.”
When you invest in people, they don’t just work for you, they fight for the mission.
They show up with loyalty, deliver with excellence, and give back with blood-deep belief.
And in a world where currencies collapse, markets tremble, and nothing feels certain, the strongest hedge against failure isn’t capital, it’s a team that believes.
Leadership isn’t about how far you can go alone. It’s about how many people you can lift— and how well you lift them. At Sujimoto, we are far from perfect.
But every day, we try. We strive to see the invisible burdens, to lift others even as we climb, and to remember that a company without compassion is just a structure—with no soul.
So if you’re reading this as a business leader, pause and ask yourself: What are you doing for the people who are building your dream? Because until you invest in your people… you haven’t truly started building wealth.
The unseen heroes of our success deserve more than praise. They deserve a future.
Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele is the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, the Czar of Luxury Real Estate Development, and the mastermind developer behind the renowned Giuliano.
His other audacious projects—such as LucreziaBySujimoto, the grandiose Sujimoto Twin Towers, the regal Queen Amina by Sujimoto, the magnificent LeonardoBySujimoto, and Sujimoto Farm (an advanced estate system integrating housing, farm hospitals, hotels, and markets)— have etched an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s skylines, a testament to Sujimoto’s unrivalled mastery of modern engineering.
