Through Bolat Paints, Omobolaji Shittu is paving the way for women in Nigeria’s male-dominated manufacturing industry.
Omobolaji Shittu is the founder of Bolat Paints and Chemicals Nigeria Ltd, an indigenous paint manufacturing company that produces what it describes as eco-friendly and non-toxic paints. Since launching the company in 2018, Shittu has worked to carve out a space for herself in a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Early interest
Drawn to the emotional impact of colour combinations since childhood, Shittu’s interest in colours and aesthetics inspired her to build a business that she hopes will elevate paint quality and safety standards in Nigeria.
“I have always loved colours, and I play with them a lot. When I finally decided to start my painting career, I was almost discouraged by the notion that it is gender-restricted. I knew what I wanted, I knew my passion and what drives me, and I went for it regardless of the noise,” she told a local news platform.
That idea took shape in 2018 with the founding of Bolat Paints, driven, according to Shittu, by three major goals: to produce high-quality paints, ensure health-conscious product formulations, and challenge gender stereotypes in the paint and construction industries.
Support and visibility
Shittu’s entrepreneurial journey received a boost when she was selected as a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s entrepreneurship programme in 2019. The initiative provided her with funding and access to mentorship and networking opportunities. She also reportedly participated in Season 8 of The Next Titan Nigeria, a business reality TV show.
Bolat Paints currently operates in Nigeria’s competitive manufacturing space, promoting its products as durable, environmentally friendly, and free from lead and other harmful chemicals. Shittu has an audacious ambition for her brand to reach an annual production volume of five million litres and to be globally celebrated with a 35 per cent market share.
Shittu also envisions Bolat Paints not just as a product-based business but as a platform for broader impact, especially for young women aspiring to enter industrial and manufacturing roles.
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