Christian Olatunji:

In the bustling world of real estate, few entrepreneurs stand out like Christian Olatunji, the Managing Director of Bespoke Urban Luxury Limited. His company is tackling Africa’s housing deficit head-on by creating affordable luxury homes while expanding into the dynamic world of infrastructural development. From his beginnings as a real estate sales agent to becoming a developer of luxury estates across continents, Christian’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and a drive to uplift urban living standards across Africa.

A Vision Born from Necessity

Bespoke Urban Luxury Limited was established with a clear mission: to design and develop exceptional real estate projects that not only meet international standards but also create lucrative investment opportunities. Olatunji's focus is on building quality infrastructures that enhance both the beauty and functionality of urban living. “Our aim is to foster trust, transparency, and long-term value for all stakeholders,” he says, highlighting the ethos that drives his company.

From Sales to Full-Time Development: The Path to Growth

What started as a real estate sales company has now evolved into a full-fledged development powerhouse. In 2022, Christian and his team transitioned to full-time property development. “Before that, we were helping home seekers find the perfect house and developers find buyers for their investments,” Olatunji explains. By 2023, they were expanding across several Nigerian states, and in the following year, they had ventured internationally with projects in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and São Paulo, Brazil.

This global expansion speaks volumes about Christian’s ambitious vision to contribute not only to Nigeria’s housing sector but also to provide luxury living solutions that enhance the lifestyle of urban dwellers in Africa and beyond.

Conquering Challenges in an Evolving Market

The African economy presents its own unique challenges, especially amid inflation and fluctuating market conditions. For Olatunji, one of the major setbacks has been the increasing difficulty for people to invest in real estate due to economic constraints. “Many people lost interest in homeownership and real estate investment due to inflation,” he notes. But instead of accepting defeat, Bespoke Urban Luxury Limited implemented flexible payment plans, allowing potential homeowners to pay for properties in installments. This solution not only kept the company afloat but also provided a much-needed pathway for many Africans to continue investing in their dream homes.

Influences and Mentorship: Building on Strong Foundations

Olatunji credits much of his business success to key influences and mentors who have guided his journey. Among them, spiritual leaders like Bishop David OYEDEPO, Pastor Peter Inyang, and entrepreneurial figures like Stephen Akintayo and Uzor Onukwubiri have all played pivotal roles in shaping his approach to business, leadership, and community-building.

These mentors provided the inspiration and guidance needed to not only survive in the competitive real estate market but also thrive and innovate in ways that few others have.

Core Values Driving Success

At the heart of Bespoke Urban Luxury Limited’s success is a set of core values that guide every decision. According to Olatunji, the company is built on principles such as quality structures, unparalleled returns on investment, and luxury and innovation for home buyers. But what really sets his company apart is its commitment to building trust and excellence in customer service. “We aim to break negative perceptions of the real estate industry,” Olatunji says. By consistently delivering on these promises, Bespoke Urban Luxury has built a strong reputation both at home and abroad.

Expanding Services: More Than Just Luxury Homes

Bespoke Urban Luxury Limited offers a diverse portfolio of services, including the development of luxury duplexes, apartments, and condos, as well as infrastructure development and civil works. These services cater not only to homebuyers but also to investors seeking lucrative opportunities in Africa’s growing real estate market.

In recent years, the company has diversified into civil works and pipeline engineering, which aligns with Christian’s forward-thinking approach to integrating essential infrastructural development with high-end real estate.

Major Milestones: From Nigeria to São Paulo

In just a few years, Bespoke Urban Luxury has achieved milestones that would take most companies decades to reach. The company has transitioned from sales into full-scale real estate development, expanded into international markets like Brazil, and diversified into new sectors such as pipeline engineering.

But these achievements are just the beginning. Looking ahead, Christian has ambitious goals to develop over 100,000 homes within the next eight years, significantly contributing to reducing the housing deficit in Nigeria and Africa at large. “We also aim to stabilize the cost of rentals and homeownership, making luxury living more affordable and accessible to a wider audience,” he adds.

The Role of Real Estate in Wealth Creation

Christian Olatunji is deeply passionate about the role of real estate in wealth creation, particularly in the African context. He believes that real estate remains one of the most powerful avenues for building generational wealth and creating sustainable economic growth. “Urban living and real estate development can shape the future of Africa,” he says. His approach is to create homes that not only provide shelter but also serve as valuable assets for the future.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Olatunji offers sage advice: “Entrepreneurship is not a testing ground. Make up your mind, roll up your sleeves, and put in the work to achieve what you believe in.” He emphasizes that hard work, dedication, and the courage to take risks are essential for success in any field.

His favorite philosophy, “It is usually impossible until it is done,” serves as a reminder that persistence and resilience can turn even the most challenging dreams into reality.