When you think of businessmen who deserve commendation for their shrewdness and brilliance, Tayo Amusan will certainly make the long list with a generous mention.
Spy Glass gathered that the brains behind The Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos, has just completed an eye-popping shopping complex inside the Ogun State government-owned Gateway Hotel in Ota, Ogun State.
Apart from Amusan, who is described as a close friend of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, ex- Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce, Bimbo Ashiru, is also said to be a part-owner of the complex, which will be opened before the end of the year.
However, a source disclosed to Spy Glass that the deal is a partnership between Amusan and the state government.
It will be recalled that the former state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, at the twilight of his administration, had concessioned the three Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Ota to three private investors. His reason, it was learnt, was that the three luxury Hotels built by the first executive governor of the state, the late Chief Bisi Onabanjo, were being run at a huge loss.
But while Governor Amosun retained the concession agreement with the investors running both the Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode hotels, he reportedly cancelled the Ota concession with an America- based hospitality investment company.
The hotel was said to be in ruins until Amusan, a Business Administration graduate of the University of Atlanta, showed interest in it.
Amusan, a big player in the real estate sector, is currently the Chairman and Managing Director of Persianas Nigeria Limited, incorporated in 1990 to develop luxury residential, retail, entertainment and hospitality centres as well as commercial developments in Nigeria.
Amusan, who has over 25 years of experience in real estate, is recognised for successfully exploiting a supply gap for residential accommodation for a select niche of the upper income expatriate market. His biggest project has been the world-class Palms Shopping Mall, which is regarded as the benchmark for retail development in West Africa.
In addition to his various business interests, Amusan also serves on boards of several companies, including Garages Limited and Southern Petroleum Limited.
