When Abimbola Mariam Jejeloye founded Mestre Management Consult, she stepped into a crowded consulting field that often promised strategic transformation but failed to deliver clear, data-driven results. Her decision to start the firm was not born out of impulse. It emerged from years spent observing gaps within the corporate strategy space, especially in environments where organizations made long term plans without sufficient analysis of market shifts, internal capabilities, or emerging technologies. She had worked across industries, led cross-functional teams, and supported C-suite executives, and a pattern kept reappearing. Many businesses were ambitious, yet too few grounded their goals in measurable, evidence-based frameworks. This realization became the foundation for her company.

 

“I observed that companies invested time in long-term planning but often lacked continuity between strategy formulation and execution. That was when I decided to create Mestre Management Consult LLC in 2021 to bridge and strengthen that gap,” she acknowledged.

 

Clearly, her training and professional journey has positioned her to identify these gaps early. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire with an MSc in Project Management and a BA in Business Administration, Jejeloye built her reputation on the ability to turn strategic concepts into structured initiatives. She grew quickly in roles that leaned heavily on analysis and planning. At the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), she supported high level corporate strategy projects and worked with teams to automate stakeholder and customer payments. Her contributions helped drive a profit increase over two years. “This experience made me realize that structured systems, clear reporting, and good governance could transform even difficult operational environments,” says Jejeloye.

 

 

Goals and recorded achievements

Just like many business owners, Jejeloye understood that success stems from consistent action, resilience, and setting ambitious goals. And that has been her mantra. Thus, through Mestre Management Consult she contributed to the operational coordination of sanitation workers in collaboration with the LAWMA, specifically supporting street sweeping activities across the Lagos Island corridor.

 

The role of her firm was to ensure there were improvements in the day-to-day management of street sweepers. “We were to ensure better coordination, supervision, and structured workflow across assigned routes,” she pointed out.

 

Describing the outcome as gratifying, the Mestre (MMC) founder outlined some mileage including how street sweepers became more effectively organized and monitored across their designated areas, payment processes were better coordinated, contributing to improved timeliness and worker satisfaction. Overall, she chipped in, operational consistency improved across the Lagos Island routes.

 

According to Jejeloye, this engagement highlights the importance of structured project and workforce management in supporting public sanitation systems. It also reflects how improved coordination can enhance service delivery in densely populated urban areas.

 

Her personal achievements also contributed to the company’s visibility. She was awarded the 2025 Global Industry Award (Project Manager) at the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Accra Ghana. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria and belongs to professional networks such as  Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ where she is an associate member and the Fintech Association of Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

Taking A Page from Coronation  

Jejeloye’s experience as the project manager at Coronation Insurance in 2023 stretched her mind into new dimensions for her immediate duties and the journey ahead. First, she seamlessly led enterprise wide initiatives that modernized internal processes.

 

She used project management frameworks to steer the project, and leveraged software solutions like Jira and Confluence to manage stakeholders. She also worked on digital transformation programs such as FinTrak Pi360 and the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics. “If there are moments I am thankful for, this is one,” she expressed, heaving a sigh as she continued, “I even became more interested in helping other organizations manage change in a way that ensured alignment between objectives and outcomes.”

 

All Jejeloye wanted was a firm that moved beyond presentations and standard business language. So, she envisioned a consultancy that would support clients throughout the entire strategic lifecycle, from research and analysis to planning, execution through to performance tracking.

 

In her words, “Building Mestre Management Consult came with the usual early-stage challenges. The consulting market was crowded, and clients needed more than impressive credentials to trust a new brand.

 

She admitted the baptism of fire that almost sank her firm in its infancy. “I had to focus first on building internal capacity. I recruited analysts and project managers who shared my commitment to rigorous research and measurable results,” she shared some strategies she implemented. “I also trained them to evaluate industries, interpret data, and translate insights into clear deliverables. My goal was to create a team that could offer clients advice and clarity.”

 

 

Experience gained paved way for Mestre contracts

Mestre Management Consult is on a winning streak. Once it accelerated its market presence, it began to land multiple major contracts. “I want to believe that clients were drawn to our ability to break down complex problems and deliver realistic solutions that could be implemented immediately,” she noted. Alongside her team, the firm was able to build frameworks that linked corporate ambitions to market realities. They introduced balanced scorecards and objectives based metrics that helped leaders track progress without losing sight of long term goals. “These early wins strengthened the firm’s reputation.”

 

A defining moment came when Mestre began its engagement with LAWMA, the firm’s first state contract. For Jejeloye, the priority went beyond delivery; it was about the people doing the work. She made sure the workers were paid well, properly trained, and supported throughout the project. That focus on doing right by the workforce, while meeting the client’s goals, set the tone for how the firm approached its later engagements.”

 

 

While building Mestre Management Consult, Jejeloye remained committed to cultivating a work culture that fostered growth. Her leadership emphasized transparency and collaboration, along with creating an environment where analysts felt encouraged to question assumptions, propose new methods, and refine internal processes. She believed that empowering her team would lead to higher-quality work and more innovative problem-solving.

Interestingly, this philosophy became one of Mestre’s key competitive advantages because her firm distinguished itself through adaptability and collective intelligence.

 

 

Mestre gets its due credit

For firms like Mestre Management Consult, client accolades serve as a profound validation of its commitment to excellence and inevitably marks a significant milestone in their professional journey. “As we gained momentum, the recognition began to pour in,” expressed the CEO. Under her leadership, Mestre delivered strategic plans that helped businesses restructure their operations, refine their market positioning, and improve internal efficiencies. While admitting that clients often credited her with helping them achieve measurable improvements in revenue, cost control, and performance reporting, what stood out were their kindest words. “Some expressed appreciation for our ability to simplify comprehensive strategic models into clear roadmaps that executives and staff could follow without confusion.

 

“We truly appreciate their recognition. It is a point of pride for our entire team to contribute to our firm’s reputation,” she told this journalist.

 

 

Strengthening portfolio with affiliations

Jejeloye did not shy away from the significance of joining affiliations and connecting with other professionals. She joined the Association for Project Management Student Membership in 2019 and attained full membership in 2025 . This move demonstrated a clear progression and continued commitment to professional development within the discipline. “I would say that joining professional bodies like APM has strengthened my voice in the business community. Beyond that, it has opened up new opportunities for developing my skills on projects  and meeting other CEO’s home and abroad, which has elevated my firm,says Jejeloye.

 

She also secured spots in the Chartered Institute of Project Managers, CIPMN in 2025, as a chartered member; associate member at Women in Management, Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ; and professional member of the Fintech Association of Nigeria in 2025.

 

Thought leadership became another dimension of her growth. This paved the way for her to author articles and contribute to discussions on digital transformation, agile strategic planning, and corporate social responsibility. Her publications in The Guardian and Daily Trust showcased her commitment to sharing knowledge and influencing industry standards. She consistently argued that organizations must embrace data driven planning if they hope to remain competitive in a fast changing environment.

 

 

Role of mentorship in business growth

Beyond business, Jejeloye also prioritizes mentorship and support for women in the corporate and entrepreneurial space. She is among the league of leaders who firmly believes that mentorship among women closes the gender gap, enhances career progression, and builds confidence.

 

Today, she serves as a mentor under Rising Tide Africa and the FCMB SheVentures Mentorship Program. She speaks frequently about the need for diversity in strategic roles and encourages young professionals to build strong analytical skills. Through these efforts, she contributes to shaping the next generation of leaders who will influence Africa’s economic and technological landscape.

 

Mestre’s growth also came from strategic pivots. As markets evolved, she expanded the firm’s focus to include digital transformation advisory services. This shift responded to a steady increase in demand for technology-enabled solutions. Many businesses needed help improving their reporting systems, automating processes, and integrating digital tools with their existing workflows. Her background in ERP implementation and process automation made it possible for the firm to confidently support clients in these areas.

 

Another strategic adjustment centered on performance measurement. Organizations often struggled to evaluate progress because their metrics were either unclear or disconnected from core objectives. Jejeloye and her team introduced structured performance frameworks using balanced scorecards and objectives based systems. These tools helped businesses make decisions based on evidence rather than intuition.

 

As the firm matured, it began working on larger projects. Some involved restructuring divisions within medium sized companies. Others required building new strategic roadmaps for organizations seeking expansion. In each case, the firm maintained its focus on aligning corporate goals with realistic plans.

 

Her leadership style has remained consistent throughout this growth journey. She continues to prioritize accountability, continuous improvement, and open communication. She encourages her team to take ownership of projects and contributes to their professional development by sharing insights from her own experience in high level strategy roles.

 

Several lessons stand out from her journey so far. First, she believes that organizations thrive when strategy is not treated as an annual activity but as an ongoing process. Second, she stresses the importance of investing in people, since skilled teams are essential for quality execution. Third, she highlights the need for resilience in business. Building a firm requires patience, adaptability, and a clear understanding of one’s value proposition.

 

For Jejeloye, Mestre Management Consult has become a trusted partner for companies seeking structured growth. Its reputation rests on its ability to deliver tangible results through disciplined strategy analysis and execution. The firm’s influence has also contributed to elevating standards within the consulting business industry. By demonstrating the value of evidence-based planning, Jejeloye continues to show that African consulting firms can compete globally through clarity, rigor, and innovation.

 

Through her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence, Jejeloye is building a legacy of data-driven thinking, opening new pathways for professionals who aspire to transform ideas into measurable impact.