From Law to Construction: How Omosalewa Fajobi Is Building More Than Structures
When you meet someone who has seamlessly woven law, banking, development finance, and construction into one impressive career, you can’t help but lean in and listen. That’s exactly the story of Omosalewa Fajobi—a woman who, beyond boardrooms and building sites, finds joy in mentoring young people and spending precious time with her two daughters.
Raised in Lagos, Omosalewa’s academic journey started at Queen’s College, Yaba, and continued at the University of Lagos where she earned her law degree. Her thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there—she went on to the University of London for a master’s in corporate and commercial law. But if you think that set her on a straightforward legal career path, think again.
How It All Began: A Chance Start in Construction
Her first brush with the property world was almost accidental. In 2001, fresh out of school and simply looking to make some pocket money, she took a job with a small real estate firm of just four employees. Today, that same company has grown into a large enterprise, and its founder remains one of her key inspirations for personal development.
From there, Omosalewa moved into law practice, then banking, before eventually finding her way back to construction—this time, as the client. For about five years, she was on the other side of the table: issuing project award letters, reviewing contracts, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion. But that was only the beginning.
From Consulting to Leadership
In 2010, she took another bold step, becoming a consultant for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering corporate services in legal, HR, and administration. Construction and property development became a significant focus area during this time—and soon, she wasn’t just consulting. She was rolling up her sleeves and diving fully into the field.
Today, Omosalewa Fajobi is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Misa Nigeria Limited, a construction company she has helped transform. When she joined Misa, there were just six employees. Today, that number has grown to over 80 full-time staff and hundreds of casual workers on payroll. The company has expanded from small single-unit projects to multiple large-scale developments across Lagos, with complex, multi-storey buildings underway at any given time.
Key Milestones in Her Construction Journey
Omosalewa’s milestones aren’t just about numbers or project sizes. She speaks passionately about transforming mindsets, establishing structures, and implementing strategies that lead to sustainable growth. One of her earliest milestones was back in 2006, when she developed a contract award and project management structure for a leading bank—something that produced remarkable results.
At Misa, she has driven automation across business processes and instilled what she calls an “empire state of mind” in every team member—a mentality of growth, ownership, and excellence.
Challenges in the Industry Today
Ask her what keeps her up at night, and the answer is clear: standards.
“There’s a lack of standardisation in products and processes,” she explains. For Omosalewa, it’s not just about meeting regulatory checklists but holding oneself to the highest quality and safety benchmarks. “Mediocrity should never be an option,” she emphasizes. Building public trust in the sector, she believes, begins with each builder holding themselves accountable.
Her Advice to Women in Construction
For women looking to enter or thrive in construction, Omosalewa is both honest and encouraging.
“We work in a male-dominated industry, with male-centric systems. It’s not easy—but who wants easy?” she laughs. Her advice is to be so good at what you do that your absence is felt. She encourages women to speak up, know their craft inside out, and give their best—even when it seems unnoticed. “Brilliance and knowledge are genderless. Be brilliant. Be intentional,” she adds.
Sourcing Materials: A Tougher Battle Than It Should Be
Material sourcing remains one of the industry’s biggest headaches. Omosalewa lists honesty and reliability from suppliers, quality assurance, delivery timelines, and lack of transparent information as the main challenges. But she’s hopeful: “Once we can build a transparent marketplace where materials are sourced to agreed standards, the possibilities for this industry will be limitless.”
Final Thoughts
Omosalewa Fajobi’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and intentional growth. From that first job in a small real estate firm to leading one of the fast-growing construction companies in Nigeria, she’s proving that with vision and commitment, you can build more than structures—you can build legacies.