Nigerian entrepreneurs Bisola Animashaun and Bukola Animashaun have built a thriving short-term rental business that has facilitated more than ₦1 billion in bookings without raising external funding, transforming an early business failure into one of the country’s growing hospitality success stories.
The sisters are the founders of Luxury Shortlets Abuja, a property management and short-let platform that now oversees more than 1,000 apartments across Abuja and Lagos. Since launching the business five years ago, the company has hosted over 10,000 guests while expanding its footprint in Nigeria’s rapidly growing short-term accommodation market.
According to Brandspur Brand News, Bisola’s entrepreneurial journey began at age 21 when she launched Gasurgently, a cooking gas delivery business in Abuja. The venture eventually shut down after persistent logistics costs eroded profitability, but the experience provided valuable operational and business lessons that later shaped the growth of the family’s hospitality enterprise.
The business is jointly owned by the two sisters, who each hold equal equity and oversee different aspects of the operation. Bukola manages the Lagos business, while Bisola leads marketing and brand strategy from Abuja, with both founders adopting a collaborative management approach as the company expands.
Luxury Shortlets Abuja has positioned itself by focusing on property verification and guest screening, addressing concerns over fraudulent listings and scams that have affected parts of Nigeria’s short-let industry. The company says this emphasis on trust and quality assurance has helped attract both property owners and travellers seeking reliable accommodation.
The founders also highlighted the seasonal nature of demand in Nigeria’s hospitality market, particularly in Lagos, where premium apartments in high-end locations such as Ikoyi and Victoria Island can command significantly higher nightly rates during the festive period due to increased visitor traffic and limited supply.
Building on the success of their accommodation business, the sisters are now developing Stay Afrik, a travel company designed to promote curated African tourism experiences to international travellers. The new venture draws on hospitality insights gained from studying tourism models in destinations including Thailand, Dubai and the Seychelles, as they seek to expand their presence within Africa’s broader travel and tourism industry.
