Engineer Oludayo Lekan Aderinwale, is the MD/CEO of Structmatics Engineering Company Ltd. This construction company was floated 4 years ago, shortly after he quit his job at Etisalat, where he was in charge of communication mask. He built virtually all the telecommunication masks in Edo State. Engr. Oludayo had his first degree at Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomosho (LAUTECH) and has had series of professional courses in construction in the US, Germany and other Western European countries. He has carved a niche for himself. And now, because of his experience, aesthetic designs and architectural styles, he has become the toast of many developers and investors.
Who is Engr. Oludayo? Why did he change his professional line and how well has he gone in the built sector?
City People’s Senior Property Reporter, ISAAC ABIMBADE, met with him last week at Osapa London, where he has many projects ongoing.
Could you please tell us more about yourself?
My name is Engineer Oludayo Lekan Aderinwale. I am a Civil Engineer and I am the MD/CEO of Structmatics Engineering Company Limited, that has an office on Lekki peninsula. I have almost all my projects in Lekki as well.
Tell us about the projects!
I have quite many projects. Basically, I build for developers and I do some bits of industrial construction works. I started my profession with Industrial and Civil Telecommunications, that started 2008 to 2011. I was working for Etisalat then. I was in charge of all its communication masks. And I built virtually all the telecommunication sites in Edo State in 2010 for Etisalat.
Briefly tell us who you are, your educational background?
I have my degree at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho, Oyo State and I also attended some professional courses here and abroad. I travel virtually every year for one training course or the other. That is what I do to empower myself. I have had series of training in the US, Germany, South Africa and Dubai.
Can you please tell us what you really do in the real estate and your experience in interior decoration?
As I said before, I’m not saying I am into interior design. For instance, where we are now, I built the place. As an engineer, the first thing that has to come to your mind when you are being given a project is the structural stability of that particular structure, which is the most important thing to an engineer. Mostly, people don’t know what that entails. You can see many things have been buried here, concrete, reinforcement, but nobody is seeing them. What people are seeing is the aesthetics, the beauty of the structure. So, as an engineer, you need to add that to your portfolio. That is what I think has made me a bit distinct from others. I see myself more as a structural person. I do mostly everything now. I learnt how to make sure that the wall is well aligned, the titles are properly laid. In my office, I have structural engineer, who work for me, I have mechanical, electrical engineers, I have architects. So, as a boss, you have to have a tourch of all these. Your finger must be on them.
You told us you worked with Etisalat, tell us your journey to in construction industry?
One day I sat down and felt there was no future in what I  was doing because we were building masks, obviously one day it would stop and it is not something we can endlessly continue. I had to sit up, look at my profession and I decided to go into civil engineering proper, that has to do with residential and industrial structural designing. That was when I joined Dillion Construction in 2011.
I worked with Dillion as a project engineer. He is the brain behind where I am today, because I learnt every single thing I know today from him, from construction down to finishing. I later started my company in 2013, it’s 4 years now. I have executed many projects since then. I have done over 60 projects in a stretch of that 4 years and I can say I have about 30 of those projects here in Osapa. I have just completed a 28-terrace duplexes units in Osapa, I have 24 units somewhere and work is ongoing on the project. I have many projects I am working on in Lagos. I am also doing a project for myself.
Can you call yourself a developer?
I don’t want to see myself as a developer. I want to build a career in construction and I don’t want to go into property development.
What are the signatures and the uniqueness of your projects?
When you see 95 per cent of my projects, you will see burnt bricks. I love to play with burnt bricks much. I have never done a project without it. Again, I make sure I put my structures in such a way that is so unique and distinct from others. Prince Kazeem Eletu Odibo’s new house is one of my projects. I am the main contractor to him since 2014. Prince Kazeem has been my best client so far, for just one reason, he doesn’t compromise on standard. He is ready and willing to spend money and that is what will stand an engineer’s work out. I have done about five projects for him though.
What are the services you render as a company?
Basically, designs, full construction, facility management and we do consultancy.
What is your view about Nigerian real estate and how do you compare it with that of US’s?
The only different of what we do and what they do over there is: No. 1, price regulation. Price regulation is one of the things we lack in Nigeria. I have seen a couple of developers, who have made 100 per cent profit on their projects, but that doesn’t happen abroad. Price regulation is one of the biggest problems and again unavailability of finance, when we are talking about real estate, when we are talking about housing that should be for all people, funding and loan facilities cannot be ignored.
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