Adetilewa Owodunni Turning Passion into Portfolio – THISDAYLIVE

On the hindsight of globetrotting and two decades in finance, Adetilewa Owodunni, General Manager of Dulles Lifestyle made a discovery that true fulfillment  lies in hospitality, Vanessa Obioha writes.

Adetilewa Owodunni looks every bit the finance executive. He is stylish, articulate and composed. Only the glittering stud in his ears hints at a personality that enjoys life beyond the rigid structures of the corporate world.

Owodunni does not hide this side of himself. In fact, he readily admits that he enjoys having a good time. Perhaps that explains why, after more than 20 years in finance, he chose to pivot into hospitality, an industry he says aligns more closely with who he truly is.

During a recent visit to Dulles Lifestyle, the fast-rising restolounge shaping contemporary nightlife culture in Lagos where he now serves as General Manager, Owodunni reflected on his journey from banking halls and revenue systems to curating nightlife experiences.

With a degree in Banking and Finance and an MBA in Banking and Financial Institutions, he built a diverse career across the financial services ecosystem. His professional journey took him across marketing, insurance, fintech and public-sector revenue administration.

Part of his early international experience was gained in the United Kingdom where he worked with First Data International, rising from a Collections Agent to a Chargeback Clerk in the Fraud and Disputes department. The role sharpened his understanding of risk management, financial operations and customer service systems.

He worked across several insurance firms before joining the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service as a Senior Revenue Supervisor, deepening his expertise in compliance, revenue systems and public-sector operations. Back in Nigeria, he later transitioned into fintech as a Business Development Executive where he focused on partnerships, client engagement and revenue growth.

But by 2025, after years in finance, Owodunni began yearning for something different.

“For me, I like to do what I love doing so it doesn’t feel like work. After 20 years, it began to feel like I was going to work every morning, and looking at my personal life and the things that I love to do, hospitality was top on the list, and that was how I switched.”

To prepare for the transition, he enrolled in a leadership hospitality course at SAHA Africa before landing his first hospitality role as Duty Manager at Nostalgia Lagos. His transition into hospitality eventually led him to Dulles Lifestyle where he now channels his corporate discipline into creating immersive nightlife and dining experiences.

Located on Bishop Oluwole Street in Victoria Island, Dulles Lifestyle, popularly known as Dulles Lagos, has steadily carved a niche for itself within Lagos’ competitive hospitality scene. The serene interior, which combines fine dining, a lounge and a performance stage, creates the perfect setting for celebrities and high-profile guests seeking privacy and relaxation.

Music stars such as Davido, Tiwa Savage, Waje and actress Genevieve Nnaji are among notable personalities who have visited the venue.

Originally launched in 2024 as a restaurant, Dulles Lagos temporarily shut its doors in June 2025 for renovations before reopening in November of the same year as a restaurant and lounge facility. According to Owodunni, the expansion was driven by the need to broaden the brand’s offerings and create fresh nightlife experiences.

Since reopening, the venue has witnessed increased traffic, largely due to the culture-driven nightlife atmosphere it has cultivated. Activities are spread throughout the week, helping to create a vibrant entertainment destination beyond weekend nightlife.

One of its standout attractions is its in-house live band, Aristos, which performs three Sundays every month alongside guest musicians. Legendary juju musician Ebenezer Obey and Fuji icon K1 De Ultimate have both performed at the venue, while entertainer Segun Johnson is scheduled to headline the last Sunday in May.

Dulles is also expanding its cultural offerings through a partnership with Inspiro Productions. As part of activities under the Lagos International Jazz Festival, the company is launching a monthly jazz residency titled Super Sessions, with the maiden edition scheduled to hold at Dulles on May 30.

Themed ‘An Uncommon Jazz Experience,’ the event will feature jazz guitarist Kunle Ayo, Saxoqueen and other performers.

Other weekly activities at the venue include karaoke nights, salsa nights and BYOB evenings.

“We are infusing culture into the nightlife. People need to understand that Nigeria has a thriving culture that is authentically theirs and not borrowed from international scenes.”

However, he wishes this culture-led hospitality would be replicated by others. This entails creating spaces and experiences that celebrate our energy, creativity and heritage while maintaining world-class standards. He also believes one of the biggest challenges within the industry is manpower retention and proper training.

Many entry-level workers in hospitality, he argued, see the industry merely as a temporary stopgap until better opportunities emerge, making staff retention difficult.

“Now, one thing about hospitality, and especially for those that are still at the bottom level, a lot of them just do this because they don’t have something to do yet. As soon as they get something better, they move. But if you’re patient and you’re able to move up the ladder.”

To address this, he advocates better staff welfare, training and career progression. For instance, at Dulles, he said employees are encouraged to express themselves, properly remunerated and even provided accommodation to reduce transportation stress and improve productivity.

He believes such measures not only motivate workers but also reduce operational risks such as theft, extortion and poor customer service.

Owodunni also called for more hospitality academies and structured training programmes to help bridge the industry’s talent gap and improve service delivery standards across the country.

As General Manager of Dulles Lifestyle, he oversees daily operations, workforce performance and service delivery with a focus on consistency, profitability and guest satisfaction. His finance background, he admitted, has proven invaluable in managing the business side of hospitality.

After spending 21 years abroad and travelling across 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and Dubai, Owodunni returned to Nigeria in 2021 and has since immersed himself in the nightlife cultures of Lagos and Abuja.

From pricing to ambience, he insists there is still no place like home.

Beyond hospitality management, Owodunni is also the founder of a hospitality consulting firm where he advises lifestyle and hospitality brands on operations, service culture and business growth.

He is equally the Founder and Creative Director of a fashion brand that he has run successfully for over a decade. In addition, he runs a prison outreach initiative through which he donates clothes, books and food items while offering encouragement to inmates.

But with all his numerous ventures and the years spent building a successful career in finance, Owodunni said hospitality has given him something more meaningful.

“I’m passionate about people. Hospitality is a people’s industry. It’s how you deal with different people from different walks of life, different demographics, different cultures, different ethnicities and different nationalities. So I’m more of a people person.”

The greatest reward is seeing customers leave the facility happy.

“With or without me, I have a good team and a very solid team, but one thing about Dulles is guest satisfaction. You’re not just coming because you want to eat, you’re coming to have an experience, and you’re dealing with that experience.”

He described nightlife hospitality as a profession that hardly feels like work.

“It is like getting paid to have fun every night, especially if you’re in nightlife, because basically I’m home all day doing my own thing, and in the evening I take a shower, come to work, I’m listening to music, I’m meeting people, and at the end of the month I get paid,” he laughed.

“That’s how it should feel if you love what you do, it drives you, you know. You’re meeting people from all workshops, like you’re making new connections, you’re making new friends, you’re making new acquaintances, and all of that.”

One of the things Owodunni loves to do is have a good time, particularly in the evening when people are more relaxed.

“A lot of business deals are closed in informal settings rather than in the boardroom.”

Indeed, it is in hospitality that Owodunni has found the ultimate fulfillment.

“I would say that I feel happier, fulfilled, actually. That’s the right word. I love where I’m at and what I’m doing.”