My Decision to Never Give Up - Omolara Jokotola

Still in the spirit of International Women’s Day, we decided to interview one of our alumna who got recruited in a construction firm through OPL Academy.

Here is what she had to say:

Introduce yourself and tell us what you do

My name is Omolara Jokotola and I work as a Procurement Officer and a Store Manager at O’Spaces.

What does this role entail?

I supervise the storekeepers on all our construction sites ensuring that all materials delivered to sites are received in the right quantities and the right qualities. It is also my responsibility to ensure that materials are being issued out based on what they are ordered for.

What led you into the construction space because not many women venture into it?

My love for calculations led me into the construction space. I was attracted to the structural aspect of construction which is mathematically inclined and entails a lot of reasoning and calculations.

As a woman in the construction space, what are some of the challenges that you face?

There are challenges, one of which is gaining the trust of clients to entrust you with a job. Sometimes they feel that women are emotionally unstable which may affect their delivery of the job, but once you can prove that you are emotionally stable and that you are capable, sometimes the client can hand over the job to you.

Furthermore, some people feel that you cannot do what a man does better. This is a wrong concept because a woman makes sure that her integrity is not at stake in any of her commitments.

How have you been able to overcome these challenges?

I am very determined when it comes to my work. I tell myself that “come what may, I am not going to allow anyone to pull me out until I am ready to go out myself”. My determination is what keeps me going.

What is your advice to women seeking to come into the construction space?

They must be determined to never give up despite the challenges they may face. I would also advise them to develop tough skin by always getting the job done despite the situation. You need to be passionate about your job in the construction industry.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is the knowledge I gain of something I do not know or something I previously knew but now know how to do it better.