Julian Osula: A mentor worth emulating

Anyone worth his salt in Nigerian business circles will be very familiar with the name Julian Osamede Osula, owner of Julian’s Luxury. The big-time luxury investor and serial entrepreneur is mostly described by friends as a gentle giant and a huge inspiration. His impressive company which was launched in 2013 has risen to top status in the sales of luxury items like watches, glasses, jewelry, bags, pens and more. The first thing that strikes people upon meeting him for the first time is his impeccable taste, a feature which got him deals as the Nigerian agent to top luxury brands like Richard Mille, Chopard among others.

Osula was born on the 30th of July 1966 to the Osula Royal family as a Prince of the Benin Kingdom, hence his dignified appearance at all times even from his early days. His primary education stage was passed in Benin at the Emotan Primary School before jetting off to the United Kingdom where he attended Barlborough Hall School & Mount St. Mary College.

He later returned to Nigeria to study Law at the University of Benin due to a burning desire to serve his fatherland. In 1989, he graduated from the Nigerian Law School and delved straight into the business armed with a vast knowledge of the law. He worked in a couple of banks most notably the now-defunct First City Merchant Bank & Alpha Merchant Bank.

Not one to dwell on the small-time, Osula soon launched his first company Manila Enterprises in 1991 which specialized in the printing and supplies of gift items. His knack for the luxurious and selecting the best for his clients soon got him doing business with top brands such as Access Bank, Elf Petroleum, Texaco Overseas, INEC, and even the Nigerian Presidency.

Osula’s hard work and tenacity was unmatched in the Nigerian business sphere and by 2004, he was supplying warship spare parts to the Nigerian Navy. In 2013, he opened his second company Stiple Gate dealing only with luxury wristwatches. Being a connoisseur for all things regal and luxurious, he later his third venture, Julian’s Luxury in 2013 and has not looked back since then. Years after his first venture into the business world, Osula has made it to the top of the game with a beautiful wife, Oghogho Osula who is also a powerhouse in her right as MD of Coronation Trustees, a subsidiary of Coronation Bank. Together, they have three lovely kids Ephraim-Julian, Edmond & Elliot as well as an impressive fleet of luxury cars at their disposal.