Damilola Otubanjo, an entrepreneur and a Senior Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Special Duties and Sustainable Development G
Damilola Otubanjo, an entrepreneur and a Senior Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Special Duties and Sustainable Development Goals, speaks to Ivory Ukonu about her business brand, Milolar Signature, her involvement in politics, and sundry issues
How long have you been running Milolar Signature?
Seven years now. I used to have three branches, but I closed one down for personal reasons and I do not intend to revive it.
How has it been these past seven years?
It has been a roller coaster. Sometimes you are excited other times it is quite tough and crazy. Dealing with staff and people, inconsistency in the outcome of your work and ensuring that one is consistent with what your brand is known for which is excellence – can be quite tough. Managing customers, situations and their complains is a different ball game entirely. However, I have owned every aspect of my pain and struggles as they are mine entirely. But it has been worthwhile for me. I am grateful for the experiences and the struggles; they have made me a stronger person. They have made me more aware of who I am. I have had to reach deep from a place within me sometimes. So, it has been good.
What have you achieved so far since running the Milolar brand?
We have been able to cater to women across the length and breadth of the country and even outside the country. When you go to random places and people are able to identify your brand, not because of who you are but because of what you do, then you know you are doing something right. So, to serve faceless people is a privileged because businesses these days have moved beyond the brick-and-mortar space. We now deal with people across the social media platform. Social media has really helped both small and medium businesses to thrive. It is also a fierce competitive space in terms of being very innovative. You have to be right on the spot, you have to be very intentional with how you market your stuff. You have to ensure consistency, to prove to people that you are not a brand that delivers a different thing from what you advertise to a point where your credibility is unquestionable. It has been a ride I must say.
What is your reason for expanding your business frontiers if you believe businesses have moved beyond brick and mortar?
A physical store validates the brand, it legitimizes it. I am not a faceless entity; people do not have to worry about buying from me because incase of any complain they know where to have their concerns addressed. I am a politically exposed person which means I have to protect my integrity beyond the brand. I don’t want to run an online brand, there is no way I can thrive without planting physical stores in more than one location.
How do you source for your goods?
We produce everything in Nigeria – clothes, hair, skin care products – all made by me. I create the designs through sketches, and I modify some of designs all in a bid to keep re-inventing and not remain in a rut and keep our customers bored. I am a very hands-on person, and I believe that I have a lot of talents. I don’t want to leave without exploring all of my potentials. It is important that the recipe and quality of the brand is maintained and the essence of why I am doing does not get submerged. The whole idea is to have people consider our brand first before others.
You are also a politician. How is that aspect going for you?
So far so good. I am the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State governor on Social Duties and Sustainable Development Goals. I ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2023 to represent Ijebu East/Ijebu North constituency, but I did not secure the seat but because of how strong my showing was before and during the election, I got the political appointment.
You aren’t resting on your oars I suppose. Do you plan to run again?
Absolutely. I am a young person who believes that young people need to come into politics and not shy away from it. I mean if we want to see any significant improvement in the economy then we need to be involved in governance. It is not just complaining about who is or who isn’t qualified. There is an urgent need for youth participation because life is an ecological succession. Whoever is there now is going to wind down soon and if we do not step up, the baton goes to the next person who isn’t necessarily a youth.
You studied engineering, Physics to be precise. Why is an engineer, a fashion and beauty entrepreneur and a politician and not practicing what she studied?
I did work with the Lagos State government at some point. I was in charge of the Lagos solar project for a couple of years. So as an engineer, I actively thrived in the engineering space. But being deliberate in what I do, I knew that I would be in public service sooner or later. I needed to understand how civil service works, to understand the mindset of a civil servant. It eventually paid off and it has been a good experience. However, if I told my hands and maintain my focus on only engineering or fashion, then I have not done my country any good. Besides, power appeals to me and I believe that I have what it takes to be in governance. I have the skills, the depth, the youthfulness, the interest, the qualification so I am more than qualified to be in politics. Interest precedes everything. There are so many people who are not qualified to be in politics, but they are interested in it and they run it anyway. So how can I acquire a degree in Physics, be a fashion enthusiast, be in the fashion business be an entrepreneur generally and not wear a political hat? I believe I am competent and have multiple skills and that is why my interest in politics is piqued. I am not just testing the waters; I plan to remain politically relevant for many years to come. I am in business because not just because I am passionate about fashion, skin and hair care but also because one needs resources to drive one’s political ambition.
Something must have inspired your take on politics
Honestly, the passion comes from within. I do not have one person to attribute my political ambition to. It comes from a place of desire and I really, honestly believe that it is a calling for me. When I was running for House of Representatives, I faced a lot of difficulties; I got stereotyped, I got judged based on my gender, my youthfulness, the colour of my skin – it didn’t reduce the desire in me. I have become more emboldened as nothing can stop me. I also saw that I would be doing my state and country a major disservice if I do not do what I have been called to do because like I said, my interest in politics is a calling. The level of acceptance and progress that I have made on this political journey has made me to understand that this is the right path to be on. I feel that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I am a mum, an entrepreneur and a politician. I just wear whatever hat needs to be worn at different times and I thrive at each of them.
Have you always wanted to be in fashion?
Yes, I have. Back during my days at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, I had a fashion boutique. I do not just dabble into anything I do on the spur of the moment, there is always a thought process to it. I always knew that I would be in the fashion space because appearance matters to me. I am a very deliberate and intentional person. I am also a very visually inclined person and when I tried to describe what I wanted with some designers, and they were unable to key into what I wanted, I simply decided to do it myself and got people who bought into my vision to work for me.
When you are not busy working, how do you unwind?
I rest on the job because I love what I do. I try to spend time with my family and friends. My jobs can be very demanding and there is little or no time for entertainment.
What drives you?
I believe that my source is spiritual, internal. The Milolar brand is not just about fashion or skin or hair care, that is only the tip of the iceberg. I intend to play big in commodities, be a big investor etc. Long after I am gone, I want my name to keep resonating and to be a reference point to what a woman can do.
