Adetayo Olowookere, CEO of Sirtified Perfumes and founder of the Dhamma perfume brand (including FAB-LAB and ARO-FAC perfumes), has lamented the ripple effects of the Strait of Hormuz closure. He explained that the disruption has driven global crude prices higher, severely increasing the cost of importing goods into Nigeria.
According to Olowookere, many entrepreneurs are bearing the brunt of the escalating Middle East crisis. With key regional infrastructure damaged, maritime transporters are forced to take longer alternate routes, drastically increasing transit times, freight charges, and insurance costs.
Despite these challenges, he emphasized that Dhamma Perfumes remains committed to sustaining customer satisfaction and delivering positive experiences. He urged the government to introduce policies that make access to foreign exchange more favourable for business owners, especially importers.
“The conflict has begun to reprice energy, shipping, insurance, aviation, and financial risk. For global markets, the question is no longer whether oil rises on alarming headlines, but whether the war has turned the Strait of Hormuz from a routine geopolitical premium into a real supply disruption with broader consequences for inflation, currencies, and emerging markets. The entire value chain is in dire straits,” he said.
Olowookere further noted that military escalations and port closures have brought daily ship transits to a near halt, stranding hundreds of vessels and thousands of sailors. He described the halt in shipments as a “nightmare scenario” for global markets and particularly devastating for fragrance businesses heavily reliant on imports.
Speaking to beauty and style correspondents at his office in Akwa Ibom Plaza, Shop A94, Trade Fair International Market, LASU-Ojo Road, Lagos, Olowookere expressed displeasure over the impact of high exchange rates, which he said is stifling the fragrance industry.
He encouraged Nigerians to embrace fragrances with soothing qualities that reduce tension, create tranquillity, and build confidence. He highlighted the importance of premium, long-lasting perfumes made with environmentally friendly materials.
Sirtified Perfumes and More, he added, is proud to be a refined brand offering extraordinary experiences and showcasing the therapeutic effects of fragrance.
“We have been in this business for two decades, and we will never compromise standards or disappoint our customers. Most first-time buyers end up becoming our ambassadors. While we acknowledge God’s goodness, we also appeal to the government to introduce economic policies that ease exchange rate challenges. The UN should also intervene to halt growing tensions in the Middle East, especially the rift between America and Iran,” he said.
On affordability, Olowookere stressed that his products are priced to suit the average Nigerian.
“One of my goals was to ensure people can afford our perfumes regardless of their status. Our hotline +234808 740 2121 is always busy with calls from partners who commend our integrity. We will never overprice ourselves out of the market. Our prices are reasonable compared to others, and we cater to all demographics—young, old, and middle-class. Patronage across Africa has been overwhelming, and the feedback has been very encouraging,” he added.
