Adesuwa Belo-Osagie wants to reimagine what homes look like in Nigeria

She’s building more than just homes — she’s constructing a legacy, one brick at a time.

If you’ve ever tried finding a home in Nigeria that ticks all the boxes — legit documentation, thoughtful design, and actual space — you know the real estate hustle is real. But where most see chaos and concrete, Adesuwa Belo-Osagie saw an opportunity to build differently, literally.

As co-founder and Deputy CEO of 7-Fifteen Capital and CEO of Husk Collection, Adesuwa is reimagining what home means for the modern Nigerian, luxury that’s smart, soulful, and built to last. But how did a corporate lawyer from London end up creating some of the most talked-about real-estate properties in Abuja and Lagos?

In this week’s #MCNWorkLife, we explore Adesuwa’s inspiring journey and how she’s quietly transforming how we live, work, and feel at home.

How would your friends describe you?

I actually asked a couple of close friends who are usually brutally honest with me. The recurring words were: loyal, strong-willed, perfectionist, organised, and deep. They also said I am emotionally intelligent, and thoughtful about how people feel and how they process things, and honestly, I do feel things deeply.

We all had dream jobs growing up. What was yours?

I wanted to be a lawyer because my mum was a lawyer and I looked up to her. Also, people used to say I argued well and spoke passionately. So, I had always had aspirations of being a lawyer. I did have a period when I dabbled with the thought of being an actress. I was in drama clubs in primary school, did a few performances, and even acted in a children’s film when I was about eight or nine. I took Drama as a subject up to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. It was a beautiful outlet and a way to connect with my emotions. It also offers this form of escape that can be fun and exciting. In another life, maybe I would have been an actress. 

Is this why you studied English Literature first, not Law straight away?

I’ve always believed that undergrad should be about learning for the joy of it. I wanted to study something I genuinely loved, so I chose English Lit. I also feel it’s one of the best degrees that helps with expression, structure and thinking. After that, I pursued my legal studies and obtained all the necessary certifications. Then I started in corporate law. I trained at Clifford Chance, a big firm in the UK, then I transferred to the Dubai office before returning to Nigeria.

 It was important for me to be qualified to practice both in the UK and Nigeria. Before deciding to move back here, I did quite a bit of work in the energy and infrastructure space. So I returned and worked in a couple of different places, including in legal advisory and then in-house legal counsel.

Read also: From Eat Drink Lagos to Tix, Folayemi Agusto is committed to empowering women and redefining events

What sparked your passion for real estate and development?

It started with a decision to leave corporate law and take the leap into entrepreneurship. I wanted to build something and had the privilege of taking a risk, which I don’t take lightly. If you can afford to take a risk and build something that excites you, do it.

Real estate made sense. One thing I found particularly striking when I returned to Nigeria was how many issues existed within the real estate sector that people rarely discussed openly.  You often hear about the difficulty of securing good land, issues with land titles, challenges dealing with government agencies, and how due process is frequently overlooked. There’s also the problem of poor construction quality. In some cases, people build on land they don’t fully own, or only discover after construction that the property is under dispute. 

With my legal background, I kept thinking — there’s so much room to do better. There’s a gap here. Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing populations globally, but a massive housing shortage exists. The demand is there. My partner, Tope Adekoya, and I saw an opportunity to bring trust, value, and quality into the space, especially with my legal background helping us navigate land documentation and all the red tape that scares people off. It wasn’t just about building houses but about creating well-thought-out places where people could feel safe and comfortable living in. 

So, we started 7-Fifteen Capital. The aim was to establish a real estate development company characterised by integrity, meticulousness, and a dedication to fostering communities. It wasn’t just about selling a building and walking away. We care about who will live in that building, what experience they will have, and whether it will stand the test of time.

Proverbs 7:15 inspired the name – ‘So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you.’ The idea being that the properties we build are places people can feel like they were meant to find.

How did Husk Collection, your hospitality outfit, come into the picture?

It grew organically from working with clients who were also interested in hospitality and short-term stays. We realised there was a need for boutique-style hotel apartments — places that have the service quality of a hotel but feel more like home. 

We wanted to create spaces that had personality, thoughtful designs, and where people felt like every detail was intentional. Our first space, Clay House, launched in Maitama last year. It’s a beautiful space that tells a story. We’re now working on our second one, one of our most exciting yet — it will have a strong design story and an incredible guest experience. We are also building hotel apartments. 

I lead Husk as CEO, and it’s been a fun and fulfilling journey. It brings together my love for detail, service, and curated experiences.

What’s your proudest moment so far?

Two stand out. One was driving along a road in Abuja and seeing our development in the skyline. I looked up and thought, ‘We built that.’ That was an incredible moment.

The second was realising that we now employ over 130 people across our businesses. That hit me hard — in a good way. We’re creating jobs, supporting families, and contributing to the economy. 

Your company also runs a foundation. What was the motivation behind creating this?

The 715 Foundation is our way of giving back. We focus on children, young adults, and people with disabilities. We offer scholarships in medicine and engineering, support children living with cancer, and partner with organisations fighting against sexual and gender-based violence. 

One area that’s close to my heart is neurodivergent inclusion. We support kids with autism and Down syndrome and work with organisations that help their families get the care and resources they need. I truly believe that every child deserves a fair shot at a good life, regardless of their circumstances. 

Read also: Elizabeth Abati is transforming the world with groundbreaking sustainable policies

As co-founder of 7-Fifteen Capital Limited and CEO of Husk Collection, your days must be full. What does a typical day in your life look like?

I’m not that 5 a.m. wake-up-and-journal person. I’m a night owl, so my day starts late. I usually wake up around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., depending on how late I was up the night before. I try to get some quiet time before diving into meetings, site visits, or calls.

My kids come home from school in the afternoon, and from about 4 to 7 p.m., I switch into mum mode — homework, dinner, bath time, bedtime. After they’re asleep, I get most of my deep work done. From 10 p.m. to 3 or 4 a.m., I review designs, send emails, strategise, or plan with my team.

It sounds a bit unconventional, but it works well for me. I’ve learned to embrace my rhythm and structure my life in a way that aligns with who I am.

Women with thriving careers and growing businesses often speak candidly about the pull of motherhood and the guilt that can follow. How do you navigate that delicate balance and help your children understand your work?

I explain everything to them in age-appropriate ways. I say, “Mummy is working so we can do fun things together,” or “Mummy has to go to a meeting because she’s helping to build something.”

I want them to understand that working doesn’t mean I’m choosing work over them. I make it a point to spend quality time with them so they know they’re my priority. But I also want them to grow up seeing a passionate mum who builds things and makes an impact.

Sometimes, they ask questions like, ‘Why are you always on your laptop?’ and I try to answer with honesty, not guilt. I tell them the truth in a way they can understand.

What is your best advice for young Nigerian women aspiring to build successful, impactful careers and businesses?

It’s okay to start before it’s perfect. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just start and refine as you go. Build your network. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or mentorship. Be open to internships. Learn as much as possible. Don’t let anyone box you in. You can be ambitious, vulnerable, maternal, and fierce. All at once. Just like you are.