Key Points
- Under Oyindamola Adeyemi’s leadership, Still Earth Holdings has grown into a major force in construction, finance, energy, and hospitality across West Africa.
- Her company played a key role in the $23 billion Dangote Refinery project, reinforcing her influence in Nigeria’s male-dominated construction sector.
- Beyond infrastructure, Adeyemi has expanded into finance, energy, and hospitality, while mentoring future business leaders through The Green Renaissance initiative.
In the cutthroat world of Nigerian business and infrastructure development—where glass ceilings remain intact for many women—Oyindamola Adeyemi has not only broken through but built a thriving empire. With sharp business instincts, relentless drive, and a commitment to excellence, she has earned her place among the country’s most influential business leaders.
As executive chairperson of Still Earth Holdings, she leads a conglomerate with interests in construction, energy, finance, and hospitality. Under her leadership, the company has grown into one of Nigeria’s most dynamic enterprises, expanding its reach across West Africa.
At the heart of this success is Still Earth Construction, the firm that played a crucial role in the esoteric configuration of the $23 billion Dangote Refinery—the world’s largest single-train refinery. Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, the massive project relied on the precision and expertise of Adeyemi’s company. In an industry long dominated by men, her leadership has been nothing short of groundbreaking.
From humble beginnings to a power player
Born in Gombe State to a Yoruba father from Ondo and a Hausa/Fulani mother, Adeyemi grew up surrounded by Nigeria’s diverse cultures. This early exposure shaped her ability to connect with people from different backgrounds, a skill that would later serve her well in both business and leadership.
With a degree in Political Science and a master’s in Political Economy and Development from the University of Abuja, she started her career in banking. In 2005, she landed her first corporate role at First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Abeokuta, where she gained valuable financial expertise that would become the foundation of her career.
A year later, she joined Equitorial Trust Bank (which later merged into Sterling Bank) as a relationship manager. She quickly made a name for herself, building high-value relationships, managing public sector accounts, and facilitating major financial deals. Her rapid rise led to a leadership role as Head of the Public Sector Group, where she managed multi-million-dollar government portfolios.
Despite her success in banking, Adeyemi wanted more. She had gained deep insights into Nigeria’s economic landscape, but she was drawn to the challenge of building something of her own. In 2011, seeing an opportunity in the country’s infrastructure needs, she took a bold step and founded Still Earth Construction Limited.
Still Earth’s role in Dangote Refinery
From the start, Still Earth Construction set itself apart with its precision, high-quality execution, and innovative approach to construction. In just a decade, the company had completed major projects across Nigeria—commercial and industrial buildings, roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure—earning a strong reputation as one of the country’s most reliable firms.
That reputation led to a role in the Dangote Refinery project, a $23 billion facility in Lagos’ Lekki Free Zone—one of Africa’s largest industrial developments. Still Earth Construction was tasked with specialized construction and civil engineering, helping to build the infrastructure that powers this massive refinery.
Beyond the refinery, Still Earth Holdings has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Julius Berger Nigeria, Shell, NNPC, Chevron, Total Energies, and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board. The company also plays a key role in the public sector, handling major projects for state governments in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, and Delta, as well as federal agencies like the Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Renowned media mogul Dele Momodu once praised Adeyemi’s leadership and work ethic, saying: “I have met many wealthy, brilliant, intelligent, smart, hardworking, audacious, tenacious, upwardly mobile, determined and God-fearing women and men in the world, but Oyindamola Adeyemi is in a class of her own. Not many can recognize her in public, despite her towering achievements. Getting her to take me on a tour of her Penthouse paradise (more like an art gallery) in Banana Island was an arduous task. Her company, Still Earth Holdings, played some pivotal and specialized roles in the esoteric configuration of what's now triumphantly known as Dangote Refinery.”
Now operational, the refinery is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, stabilize the energy sector, and create thousands of jobs. Adeyemi’s contribution to this transformative project cements her status as a force in Nigeria’s business world.
Expanding beyond construction
Adeyemi’s ambitions go beyond infrastructure. Seeing the need for greater financial inclusion, she launched Still Earth Capital Finance, helping over 100,000 customers access credit, asset financing, and financial advisory services.
In 2019, she expanded into energy, founding Tirex Petroleum and Energy. Within a few years, it became Nigeria’s leading drilling rig contractor, securing nearly 30 percent of the market. Breaking into the oil and gas industry—another male-dominated sector—only strengthened her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most formidable entrepreneurs. She didn’t stop there. She ventured into real estate and hospitality, creating Amber Suites and Hospitality, a luxury brand catering to Nigeria’s high-net-worth clientele.
But her impact isn’t just in business. Through her leadership initiative, The Green Renaissance, Adeyemi mentors and empowers the next generation of Nigerian business leaders, equipping them with the skills and guidance to succeed.
She isn’t just a business leader—she’s also a passionate art collector with a deep commitment to African creativity. Using her wealth, she actively supports artists across the continent, curating exceptional works and helping to elevate Africa’s cultural influence.
Her contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. She has earned prestigious awards, including the African Leader of Integrity Merit Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance and Service Delivery, the Nigerian Business Leadership Award for Excellence, the Women4Africa Global Business Impact Award 2023, and The Capital’s Businesswoman of the Year Award. These honors recognize not just her success in business but also her broader influence.
A legacy still in the making
From starting as a banking officer to becoming a business magnate shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape, Adeyemi’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and strategic vision. She has built Still Earth Holdings into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, played a key role in some of Africa’s largest industrial projects, and broken barriers in industries long dominated by men.
Yet, despite her achievements, she prefers to let her work do the talking. While many business leaders seek the spotlight, Adeyemi stays focused on building—showing that true influence isn’t about making headlines but leaving a lasting impact. As Nigeria’s economy evolves, she isn’t just part of the story—she’s helping to write it.
