Oluwatobi Oladele is the CEO and founder of FIPS Multilinks Limited, a real estate development and investment company with the core objective of making homeownership a reality for people of all classes in Nigeria and across the globe.
In an exclusive interview, he shares his journey into real estate, addresses challenges faced by property developers and reveals his future plans and projection of FIPS Multilinks Limited.
Please introduce yourself, we’d like some details about your academic background
My name is Oluwatobi Victor Oladele, I’m the MD/CEO of FIPS Multilinks Limited, a real estate development management and investment company incorporated with the CAC March 2015 with the core objective of making home ownership a reality to all classes.
I studied mechanical engineering from The Polytechnic of Ibadan and The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. I followed on with some Project management courses and certification then a Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management at the Enterprise Development Center of the Lagos Business School as well as an MBA from Regenesy University, South Africa.
How has your background prepared you for the current role you are in?
I started my career in the banking sector with the older generation banks; Intercontinental bank Plc and AfriBank Plc. While there, I was exposed to how the financial market works, basic business operations and structures. I eventually resigned from banking to join an engineering and construction company in Lagos as a project manager where I supervised and managed some major contracts which included building and road construction projects here in Lagos State.
What were you doing before you started your company? Is this your first company or were there others?
Prior to the registration of FIPS Multilinks Limited with the CAC in 2015, we started as a handyman service provider and we provided exceptional home maintenance service and interior decor service in Abuja. Then we discovered that a lot of people needed a trusted and professional artisan to help with basic home maintenance, so we created a platform for that and stepped in to solve the problem. We later went into full project management and after our CAC registration, we engaged in design and building to completion which is still our core focus.
Other businesses were also set up from the onset of FIPS Multilinks Limited in Lagos which helped in raising and running capital and they include, Kekenet (a transportation and logistics based business), FIPS Lifestyle, a mini importation of basic lifestyle goods which is still fully running and FIPS Interior which is also still actively running
Why real estate and not any other career path?
Any business solving a challenge to mankind will definitely be successful with the right input.
Real Estate provides one of the most basic needs of all humans and we are doing our part to provide housing for as many people as we possibly can.
Also, I’ve always had an interest in building construction and business development However, you just have to have a No giving up spirit and a strong tenacity to succeed. Nigeria is full of great opportunities because of our many challenges.
Tell us about your company, its origin, what it stands for, your mission and vision
We have a good track record in building and road construction works across Nigeria with the projects we have successfully delivered. We came into Lagos in 2017 and started full operations in 2018 when we acquired a number of land assets to develop into housing estates.
Our Vision is to make home ownership a reality to all classes in a most cost-effective and distinct manner. We have a goal of becoming the foremost company in the real estate industry by providing homes that guarantee peace and secured investment that guarantees wealth.
How has your company fared in light of unstable economic conditions in the industry?
We simply develop a No giving up spirit and a strong tenacity to succeed. Nigeria is full of great opportunities because of our many challenges so our
management team and professional staffs are strategically committed to the singular objective of becoming a leading global real estate company providing properties and
real estate solutions that exceeds client’s expectations with a tradition of trust and
transparency. This we are conscious of regardless of all challenges
What are your biggest challenges as a property developer?
The Real Estate Sector in Nigeria is undergoing a fast paced transition. We are rapidly leaving behind the old ways and embracing a new era of housing and accommodation.
At FIPS Multilinks Ltd, we have taken a firm stand in building sustainable housing solutions that are powered by the latest property technologies aimed at delivering quality, luxury and comfort to our clients.
We are constantly develop innovative ways to achieve our goals
What projects do you have at hand?
We have The Goldmark, Ibùdó City, Penfield, Viviendas, The Brooks, The Harbor Commercial.
So many founders struggle with managing their workforce to achieve high level productivity, how have you managed this? and what’s the secret to your success?
The workforce management and productivity balance has been a major challenge for many organizations and we have had our fair share of the challenges involved. However, our approach to solving this problem and creating the right balance we desire is to combine a number of proven methods including staff incentives, an open door policy, a well structured work environment among others. We’ve also developed a graduate trainee program where we recruit fresh graduates to train and empower them to deliver.
In the past few years, we have been able to achieve significant growth in the company as a result of our staff performance.
What would you consider your greatest achievement so far?
In the past few months, the company made some landmark achievements however the most notable is our recently sold out estates and our ongoing development at Lekki Lagos, The Goldmark Residence.
Also our recent expansion to Ghana. Our company has continued to be ranked among exceptional real estate development companies in Nigeria.
Are there any awards?
Yes I’ve gotten so many awards for my contributions not just in the real estate industry but in business development, community service and human capital development. I’m a mentor to a whole lot of young people with zeal to make a difference.
How do you give back to the society, are there any CSR projects (Corporate Social Responsibility)?
First we make a difference in every community our projects are located by creating accessible roads and solar powered street lights. We also employ the locals, there’s no native family we bought property from that we don’t have members of the family in our team; both skilled and unskilled labor.
Also, we’ve partnered with quite a number of NGOs with education and skill development focus to provide full scholarships to students and artisans respectively.
Furthermore, we presently run a small community of entrepreneurs which we support by providing work space and business startup funds to run a successful business.
What’s your projection of FIPS MULTILINKS LIMITED in the near future?
We will be launching our fully smart city soon which we intend to replicate in other African countries, we are currently registered and doing business in Ghana and we’ll replicate our achievement in other countries too.
Also our affordable mass housing initiative is what we intend achieving in all the 36 states of Nigeria including the FCT.
Do you have any advice for people or young entrepreneurs looking to venture into real estate?
Yes, I once wrote an article on “How I started my real estate company with zero capital” that article has helped a lot of young people kick start their dream. So to young entrepreneurs, I’ll say there’s no better time to start than now. Create a value and that value will sell.