From bread hawker to tech entrepreneur: Sholanke Afeez transforms security with Suvrify

Introduction:
In today’s world, security is not just a necessity, it’s a priority. From businesses struggling with theft and fraud to individuals seeking peace of mind from home or property theft, the need for proactive security solutions has never been greater.

Meet Sholanke Afeez Abiodun, a Chartered Accountant turned tech entrepreneur, who is on a mission to help businesses and indviduals reduce losses arising from theft, break-ins, and fraud through a 24/7 remote camera surveillance solution.
His journey from hawking bread on the streets of Lagos with his mother to building an innovative surveillance company is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of technology in solving real-world problems.

Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is Sholanke Afeez Abiodun. I am a Chartered Accountant with over five years of experience and Tech entrepreneur, passionate about leveraging technology to solve business challenges. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education (Accounting) from Tai Solarin University of Education and later became a Chartered Accountant. My passion for innovation led me to co-founded an accounting software Firm that help businesses automate financial processes. Building on this foundation, I also founded Suvrify, a remote camera surveillance company focused on reducing financial losses due to theft, fraud, and break-ins. Today, I continue to bridge the gap between finance, technology, and security, empowering businesses and individuals to protect their assets proactively.

What is Suvrify all about?
Suvrify is a remote camera surveillance solution that provides real-time monitoring and security updates to help businesses and individuals reduce losses arising from theft, break-ins, and fraud. The name ‘Suvrify’ is derived from the word ‘Surveillance,’ reflecting our mission to actively watch over clients’ IP cameras 24/7 and deliver prompt alerts to prevent security threats all without requiring our physical presence on-site.

What inspired you to create Suvrify?
While working as a Chartered Accountant and consultant, I noticed a common problem many businesses were losing money not just due to poor financial management, but because of theft, fraud, and break-ins. financial records could highlight missing funds, but they couldn’t prevent these losses. I realized security had to be proactive, not just reactive, and that’s how Suvrify was born.

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What makes Suvrify different from traditional security systems?
Many businesses and homes already have cameras installed, yet they still suffer losses, and crime rates remain high. Why? Because nobody is actively watching over them to provide prompt updates they only get footage of the aftermath. At Suvrify, we are connected remotely to clients’ IP cameras and provide real-time monitoring to ensure their properties and businesses remain secure. Our approach helps deter threats before they escalate by delivering instant alerts, allowing immediate action to be taken instead of just recording crimes.

What challenges did you face in launching Suvrify?
Launching Suvrify posed significant challenges. Like any entrepreneurial venture, it was a journey filled with obstacles. Developing a tech-driven security solution demanded substantial financial investment and, crucially, earning the trust of businesses. Expanding from Nigeria to the United States added another layer of complexity. However, by demonstrating Suvrify’s effectiveness in minimizing losses, we successfully navigated these challenges. Despite having been in business since 2022, we officially launched in December 2024, marking a pivotal milestone in our journey.

How has Suvrify impacted businesses so far?
Suvrify has helped businesses and indviduals in Nigeria, Chicago, and New York significantly reduce incidents of theft, fraud, and unauthorized access. We’ve given business owners peace of mind, knowing their assets are secure, even when they’re not physically present.

What’s next for Suvrify?
We’re continuously innovating. AI-powered surveillance is the next frontier, and we’re integrating smart analytics to detect suspicious activities before they become security threats. The goal is to make security smarter, more efficient, and accessible to every business and individual concerned about home or property security worldwide.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Don’t just identify problems—create solutions. Entrepreneurship is about persistence and innovation. My journey started from a simple question: “How can businesses safeguard their earnings?” That curiosity turned into a mission, and today, Suvrify is protecting businesses and homes globally. Keep learning, keep improving, and never stop believing in your vision.