Few Things you need to Know about Tayo Amusan, The Nigerian Billionaire who recently acquired ShopRite.

Tayo Amusan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Persianas Nigeria Limited a property firm and developer that develop luxury residential, retail, entertainment, and hospitality centres as well as commercial developments in Nigeria. and Ketron Investment, an Investment company set to take over the management of the South African Retail company ShopRite.

Tayo who was born on 26 September 1959, holds 25 years of experience doing business in Nigeria — is credited for building The Palms Shopping Mall in Lagos, Nigeria’s first mall of international standards that also houses a Shoprite store, back in 2004. He then replicated it in Enugu, Kwara, Ota, Ibadan and Abuja .

Persianas was formed by Tayo  in 1990 and, has since grown to become a substantial group with the proven capabilities to initiate, construct and manage high quality retail, residential and commercial environments in Nigeria.

Initial successes for the company were achieved by meeting the needs of higher net worth clients for top quality residential accommodation with the conception and realization of The Persianas Palm Courts in Lagos.

In addition to his various business interests, Amusan sits on the board of several Nigerian companies, including African Paints Nigeria Limited, Garages Limited, Southern Petroleum Limited and also the chairman of Resourcery Limited.

Tayo Amusan is married to Ayo, who holds an MSc in Risk Management from Cass Business School, City University, London. Amusan on the other hand holds a Business Administration graduate of the University of Atlanta.

“Tayo and Ayo Amusan are a couple with a vision to grow the Nigerian retail sector at a steady pace,” said Omoyemi Akerele . It had been earlier stated that the couple  development company “Persianas” built the first mall of international standards in Nigeria and currently own six spread across Nigeria in Lagos, Ibadan, Kwara, Enugu and  Abuja. The company’s retail arm has successfully launched franchises such as Hugo Boss and Lacoste.”

An early entrant into the burgeoning Nigerian retail scene, Tayo used his 25-year property experience to build The Palms, a 45,000 square metre property. Situated on Lagos’ Lekki Peninsula, the mall-complex has 69 retail stores, among other facilities.

While Tayo is focused on the property aspect of Persianas, Ayo oversees its retailers. Appointed director of retain in 2011, Ayo has been involved in the retail industry since 1998. Ayo began her career working in strategy and budgeting in London. It was she who led Persianas’ negotiations to secure the Hugo Boss, Puma and Lacoste franchises.