In a universe that has not always made space for women, Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, the founder and Executive Chair of Still Earth Holdings, has fearlessly taken up a conspicuous space for herself. Now, the power and pull of her entrepreneurial attainments are making space for a new generation of young women who are willing to interrogate their fears and achieve greatness. And it is not hard to see why.
Oyin is strikingly attractive in an exotic, absolutely understated way. She oozes vigor, drama, fortitude, and joy. You could be excused for thinking that she was guided to her current height by a shrewd, tenacious natural alter ego because of the early entrepreneurial success she achieved in the business sector. Yes, smart Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, the CEO of construction behemoth Still Earth Limited, has courageously personified and embraced the truism that entrepreneurship is a viable weapon to accelerate Africa’s development and capitalize on the benefits of a new century. Those who know Oyin say she exemplifies a contemporary yet timeless construct of femininity that manifests as a blend of relentless and noble pursuits. Oyin is a self-driven entrepreneur who comes across as an enviable Amazon and achiever in a region and era where everyone seems to understate the role and worth of a driven woman.
She has put in a lot of effort over the previous ten years to get her current position and is consequently very different from the modern alpha female archetype that elevates flamboyance, self-aggrandizement, and narcissism above substance. Oyin has boldly occupied a prominent spot for herself since she is conscious of the fact that she is orbiting a universe that has not always created room for women. A new generation of young women who are prepared to confront their anxieties and achieve greatness are now being made possible by the influence and force of her entrepreneurial accomplishments. And it is simple to understand why. Starting a business is an exhilarating emotional roller coaster with amazing highs and, occasionally, challenging lows. Nevertheless, Oyin did not take any short cuts on her path to success; she earned her keep by working at Equatorial Trust Bank and First City Monument Bank PLC, where she eventually climbed to become the president of the Public Sector Group (Ogun). But she was aware that she didn’t enjoy the structured routine of banking employment.
She subsequently ventured into the retail fashion industry and traveled to England to import high-quality goods. Later, she worked as a realtor, assisting clients with various elements of the rental and sale of real estate. However, Oyin was not one to give up without putting up a valiant battle. Her failure to collect sufficient finances to finance the firm constituted a severe threat. Oyin was introduced to Atiku Abubakar through a coincidental draft of a manifesto, and she joined his campaign team for his 2011 presidential bid. Oyin made an impact on the astute politician with her beauty and intelligence.
After that, she founded Still Earth Group and discovered her true calling in the building sector. Its mission is to build up the nation’s infrastructure by carrying out initiatives that significantly benefit the local communities it serves. The company upholds professional ideals and standards with the utmost rigour. The business also wants to be a market leader on a global scale, a trusted name in general contracting while consistently providing clients with top-notch services and adding value through professionalism, proactiveness, creativity, openness, and high standards of performance.
“My story is one of grit, resilience, and persistence, which over the years has built a solid foundation to pursue excellence end-to-end and achieve higher goals,” she stated on her LinkedIn page.
It has been a concatenation of successes for Still Earth, a factor she hinged on the company’s passion for achieving set goals and objectives. In the past decade, its clientele base has become an eloquent testimony of how prolific and professional it has been.
The Federal Ministry of Transport, Julius Berger Nigeria, Dangote Refinery, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Oyo State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, Lagos State, Ekiti State, Akwa Ibom State, Delta State, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, and numerous high net worth individuals are just a few of Still Earth’s satisfied clients and completed projects in the public and private sectors. According to her, the successes recorded so far boil down to the team and the corporate values and culture upheld at Still Earth Limited.
“We have in place a board of directors comprising veterans who are passionate about Still Earth Limited. They always bring their experience and expertise to bear. Our management team is peopled by technocrats whose professionalism can compete with global standards. I think I have been lucky with having the right people with me all the way. Our clients have also been a part of our huge success. Most of the state governors we work with award us contracts based on their determination to improve the welfare of the people in the state and also to improve their standards of living,” said Oyin.
Oyin, a patriotic but practical believer in Nigeria, could just relax and be content with her multimillion-naira construction business. But she has consistently come up with ideas and innovated thanks to her unrivaled, can-do spirit. With the founding of Still Earth Capital Finance, a multifaceted financial services company that provides customized financial services and solutions to people, businesses, and the public sector, she has lately expanded into the finance sector.
Her journey to the top was not easy, according to her it was more of perspiration and perseverance “I have years of experience that spans the Banking Sector, Retail Marketing, Public Sector, Oil & Gas and Construction. My story is one of grit, resilience and persistence, which over the years has built a solid foundation to pursue excellence end-to-end and achieve higher goals.”
The Victoria-Island, Lagos-based business offers a wide range of financial services, including wealth management, corporate financing, commercial and SME lending, and consumer finance. Its objective is to deliver exceptional services to customers using technology while using the extensive backgrounds and expertise of its key officers in investment banking, commercial banking, project and infrastructure finance, business strategy, and transformation in meeting its wide range of clients’ needs.
The workforce is one significant area where Still Earth has also prospered. Oyin has effectively led her team by mobilizing and guiding the good energy of her colleagues to produce exceptional results. She has been making investments in qualified personnel. In order to accomplish the goals of her several businesses, she oversees a team of trained and tested employees. One of those goals is “to work together as a team to achieve success on every project for our clients, through the professionalism, diligence, and hard work that we profess and promote.”
Oyin was born in Gombe to a Hausa-Fulani mother and a Yoruba father, whose racial diversity has benefited an ethnocentric society. Oyin holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Abuja as well as a Master’s degree in political economy and governance. Oyin, who graduated from the esteemed Harvard Business School with a degree in Owner/President Management, is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours in Nigeria and abroad, including the African Leader of Integrity Merit Award (Excellence in Corporate Governance & Service Delivery from Accra, Ghana).
Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi is a true Akinkanju and DAWN Commission celebrates her
References: This Day Newspaper, Punch Newspaper, OnlineNigeria and The Cable Newspaper.