Mubo Oludiran is a seasoned architect with over 20years experience in building and architectural designs in the real estate industry. She is the co-founder and Executive Director at QPT Services Limited, a real estate/construction firm, which was borne out of her passion to deliver tailor made architectural designs and services to homeowners.
A graduate of Bauchi State Polytechnic and then Yaba College of Technology where she studied architecture, Mubo also has a Basic Leadership Certificate from the Daystar Leadership Academy with interest in facility management. She joined Arkland Properties & Investment Company Limited where she greatly contributed to the growth of the company, project designs, conceptualisation, finishing and capacity building. This earned her current position as the head of facilities management, APIC Managers Limited.
Her drive for change is stemmed from her love for architecture and the vast opportunity it gives to expression, creativity and innovation. In her bid to acquire more knowledge, she participated in project management courses and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Facility Management Operations training.
In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, she shares her drive and passion for architecture among other issues.
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Share with us your background and how it influenced your career path?
I come from a big family of eight. It was always a fun and dynamic environment, which is something I still appreciate today. When you come from such a big family, it’s a little easier to find your niche, because everyone wants to be unique.
However, I’ve always been a creative person, which is what truly influenced my career choice. I used to love my art and technical drawing classes, because they were not rigid and you could get a new outcome every time. A teacher of mine then encouraged me to take up architecture because of my interest and how well I was doing in technical drawing. Architecture is basically functional art, which is exactly what I love.
You are passionate about architecture and the vast opportunity it gives you to be expressive, creative and innovative, how have you evolved over the years?
I have evolved by learning and then relearning. Along the line as you gain experience, you discover what you don’t know and then learn about it, as well as how a lot of what you do know can be done better.
There is always a better way to do things, you just have to find out what it is; it’s all about your mindset. Once you have an open mind and you’re focused on constantly improving and learning, you will evolve and remain valuable.
How easy was it for you to navigate and thrive in your field as a woman, especially at the time you started out?
It wasn’t easy if I’m being honest. However, I have always been quite dogged and determined with my goals. I have always had a great hunger for more and better. I love progress and a dynamic environment so when I am not satisfied where I am or with what I’m doing, I push for better and I push hard.
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I’ve always known myself and what I wanted; I never wanted to be stagnant or mediocre and I am willing to work hard for my goals. I don’t think any of my goals are unattainable. When I look at other women doing wonderfully in their career, managing their homes and lives excellently, I want to be in that space. I try to study them and implement the good I see that aligns with my values into my life.
What tips do you have for women owned initiatives who are struggling to stay afloat?
Success is rarely ever attained overnight. Be humble and reach out to people for help if you need to. It doesn’t even have to be financial help; a good word can change the trajectory of your life and career. You never know how others can help you until you identify what you actually need and then speak up. Pivot if you need to. If something isn’t working, try something else or implement something else, but overall these things is consistency. Stay strong and stay consistent; that’s your number one key.
What key lessons have you learnt in your years of practice?
Trust nobody. I have learned some very hard lessons from trusting people. You can do all due diligence and still be disappointed. Also, you don’t know what you don’t know; ask questions. No one will tell you how to shape your career. Information and networking is key and they will take you very far. Integrity is everything, in architecture and in life.
Your reputation can open heavy doors for you and also save you a world of trouble. I also try to surround myself with good people and sources of knowledge. As the Bible says, iron sharpeneth iron. Discussing ideas with other people in my field, especially those that have gone before me, taking on challenging roles – all of these inspire me and motivate me to be a better architect and person.
How can we get more women to become successful and rise to the top as you have done? What tips do you have for younger women?
We can get more women to the top by educating them and helping each other up, by sharing resources and reducing unhealthy competition. The education for our girls has to be rich and edifying, encouraging them to believe in themselves and to reach for more in life. You can be a CEO as well as a good mother or good wife. Nothing limits us but ourselves. We need to get our girls to stop playing small because there is nothing they cannot do. We need to position them better for success and prepare them for boardrooms and conference halls instead of just future homes. We also need to encourage them to work hard. Once you’re willing to put in the work, the world is your oyster.
Younger women should not have the urge to get everything fast. The women that you see and admire and that maintain a good level of balance in their lives worked hard for years to achieve that. Build yourself with integrity and discipline.
How do you get inspiration and stay motivated?
My inspiration comes from music, funny enough. It helps me visualise what I want to achieve or get done. I am more relaxed and ideas flow more freely; it’s a secret super tool for me. Also, I am inspired by people and the valuable things they do. It doesn’t matter who they are, as long as there is some value and positive thing they do, I try to learn and emulate.
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There is so much to learn from everybody. You just have to be open about how you view people. Because of this, I try not to criticise people, because you really don’t know what they are going through or what they have gone through and have not been in their shoes.
How have you been able to combine family life and work and still be at your best?
I call it the three Ps: Prioritise, Plan, and Pray. Visualise how you would like your family and life to go and work towards it. When you have your priorities in order, you make plans around them and you ask God to help you, you can do anything well.
Also, I delegate and ask for help when I need it. For instance, I have a nanny and a wonderful support system. I also really love my work and family and will do everything in my power to make sure that they are both a success.
What is your life’s mantra?
I’ve held onto the Fruits of the Spirit in the Bible – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and I try to live by these. I believe that God cannot give me more than I can bear so anything that comes to me, I believe I can handle it with grace and that it is meant for me, because it has been placed in my care. It really helps me with any anxiety I have.
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