For many families, owning a home represents their most significant lifetime achievement – Olatujoye

Oluwatosin Olatujoye, Group CEO of Zylus Homes and Properties, is assembling an ecosystem designed to solve interconnected problems within Nigeria’s economic landscape. In an economic era where uncertainty has become routine and many businesses are built for survival rather than endurance, Olatujoye is taking a different path. From expanding access to capital, to addressing housing deficits, deepening insurance adoption, and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, his ventures reflect a coordinated effort to build institutions that outlive their founder and create lasting value across multiple layers of society. In this interview, he speaks about the thinking behind his businesses and the human impact they are designed to deliver. Excerpts by JOHN SALAU:

Zylus Homes has set a bold target of delivering 2,000 housing units in five years. What does that mean for the business?

It is a both business objective and a social commitment. Housing is more than a product. It is tied to dignity, security, and long term stability. For many families, owning a home represents their most significant lifetime achievement. Delivering 2,000 housing units means 2,000 families gaining access to that stability. It means creating environments where children can grow up securely and where wealth can be preserved across generations. The numbers matter, but what matters more is what those numbers represent in real terms.

What influence the introduction of Absolute Insurance Brokerage into your ecosystem?

Because growth without protection is incomplete. A significant number of individuals and businesses build assets without adequately protecting them. This creates vulnerability that can erase years of progress. Insurance provides a layer of security that allows people to plan and invest with confidence. The challenge has been perception and accessibility. Our focus is on simplifying the process and reframing insurance as a necessary component of financial intelligence, not an optional expense.

What would say inspired the Tosin Olatujoye Foundation?

The belief that success should extend beyond the individual. As businesses grow, there must be a corresponding impact on the communities around them. The foundation is designed to create access through education, empowerment, and opportunity. It is a constant reminder that behind every economic statistic are real lives, real challenges, and real potential. Impact, in my view, must be intentional and measurable beyond financial performance.

Whay is the essence of The Entrepreneur Masterclass mentor programme?

Because strong businesses are built on strong structures. Many entrepreneurs have viable ideas but lack the frameworks required to scale sustainably. This often leads to avoidable failure. The Entrepreneur Masterclass focuses on practical knowledge, leadership, financial discipline, and strategic growth. It is about equipping people with the tools to build businesses that last. Strengthening entrepreneurs ultimately strengthens the broader economy.

Your business operates across multiple sectors; what connects all these ventures at a personal level?

For me, business has always been about solving real problems, not just generating profit. When you examine Nigeria’s economic realities, the gaps are clear. Access to capital remains limited, housing supply is insufficient, risk protection is largely misunderstood, and many young entrepreneurs are navigating growth without the structure they need. I did not set out with the intention of building multiple companies. Each business emerged as a response to a specific need. Over time, it became clear that these needs are deeply interconnected. Access to funding leads to investment decisions. Investment leads to asset ownership. Asset ownership requires protection. And throughout that journey, guidance becomes essential. What ties everything together is trust and a commitment to empowering people to make better, more informed decisions.

Let’s talk about Trustline Capital. What does it represent to you beyond being a financial services company?

Trustline Capital represents responsibility at the highest level. When people entrust you with their capital, they are placing their aspirations in your hands. That could mean funding a child’s education, securing retirement, or expanding a business. We built Trustline Capital to introduce structure and discipline into private capital management. Investment should not feel speculative or uncertain. It should be deliberate, transparent, and professionally managed. Beyond returns, the goal is to rebuild confidence in financial systems and demonstrate that integrity is not a constraint to profitability, but a foundation for it.

Retrust Microfinance operates closer to the grassroots. Why was that important to you?

Because that is where the impact is most immediate. Retrust Microfinance Bank focuses on everyday Nigerians, traders, artisans, and small business owners who are often excluded from traditional financial systems despite their potential. In many cases, access to a modest amount of capital at the right time can completely alter a person’s economic trajectory.

Microfinance, in this context, goes beyond lending. It is about inclusion, belief, and structured support. It is about recognising that economic growth is strongest when it is broad based.

Finally, when you look ahead five years from now, what will make you feel fulfilled?

Fulfilment will be defined by impact, not just expansion. Yes, delivering 2,000 homes is significant. Expanding access to finance and insurance is critical. But the real measure will be the outcomes behind those achievements. Families are gaining stability. Businesses scaling sustainably.

Entrepreneurs building with confidence. If the institutions we are building continue to operate with integrity, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to society, then the objective has been achieved. At that point, it is no longer just about building companies. It is about building legacy.