Competence and Integrity Must Come Before Profit, Says Glizt Paints Founder 

Founder of Glizt Paints, Engr. Barakat Adesina, has stressed the need for competence, integrity, and continuous learning in Nigeria’s manufacturing and construction sectors, noting that sustainable businesses are built on skill rather than quick returns. 

Barakat, a structural engineer and paint specialist, made the remarks while reflecting on her journey in the indigenous paint and coatings industry and the challenges facing local manufacturers. 

According to her, technical expertise and long-term thinking remain critical as Nigeria seeks to deepen local production and reduce dependence on imported construction materials. 

“Always keep learning; the day you stop learning is the day you start dying,” she said. 

“Never put money first; competence and integrity must always come before profit.” 

Adesina is the founder of Glizt Manufacturing Industry Limited, the company behind Glizt Paints, an indigenous paint and coatings brand operating in Ibadan and Lagos, with distributors across Oyo State and other parts of the country. The company produces decorative and protective coating solutions for residential, commercial, and institutional use. 

She said her decision to enter paint manufacturing was deliberate, driven by a desire to build a sustainable enterprise that combines technical quality with job creation. The company began operations shortly after her National Youth Service Corps programme, where she acquired skills in paint production and finishing techniques.

Glizt Manufacturing Industry Limited currently operates outlets in Odo Ona Apata, Ibadan, and Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island. Its client base includes corporate organisations, public institutions, and private developers.

Barakat noted that access to funding and logistics remain major challenges within the sector, particularly for small and medium-scale manufacturers. 

“Paint manufacturing is capital intensive, and logistics can be difficult,” she said, adding that consistent quality and compliance standards are essential for long-term survival. 

The company is a member of the Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and has received multiple recognitions for its operations, including MSME-related awards and grants from public and private institutions. 

Beyond manufacturing, Barakat said the company has recently developed specialized coating solutions designed to address common building challenges such as wall cracks, dampness, and weather exposure. She also disclosed that the company has already expanded to include Kerakleen by glizt, a cleaning products brand, while continuing to scale training initiatives for artisans and entrepreneurs within the construction value chain.

Barakat, a graduate of civil engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with a master’s degree from the University of Ibadan, is COREN-certified and a member of several professional bodies. 

She said the focus remains on strengthening Glizt Paints’ national presence while maintaining quality and operational standards. “Our goal is to build products and systems that last,” she said.