The real estate sector is for big boys, especially in Nigeria. It’s not a sector for babies. This is because of the high volume of transactions one is expected to carry out as a player. But in the last few years, some of these norms have been defied by a young, talented, energetic, innovative and industrious set of youths. They have even revolutionised the sector even more, with their ideas, talents and wealth of knowledge.
In the last few years, hundreds of property firms have sprung up owned by these young people. It has now become an open sector for all.
This week, City People will be spotlighting young real estate CEOs who are doing well in their 30s and what they have accomplished so far. These people have changed the face of the real estate industry. Below is the list. Read on…
The first name on our list is Stanley Obi, Managing Director/CEO of Salescraft Properties Limited. This young man is one of the leading players in the real estate sector. A few years back he was awarded the Young Real Estate Player Of The Year, in 2019 City People Real Estate Awards. Mr Stanley currently, is not just playing big in Lagos, he has also moved his business beyond Lagos. He’s playing big in the eastern part of Nigeria.
Over the years, Salescraft Properties, his company, has mentored numerous Nigerian youths and undoubtedly, Stanley Obi is a shining light for young entrepreneurs. He has a passion to always mentor young entrepreneurs to success. For many years, he was living the dream of an aspiring business executive.
Another young player whose contribution to the real estate sector has generated a debate of discussion is the young and vibrant Julius Oyedemi. He’s one of the brightest, most innovative and most highly versatile real estate experts you can talk about now in the sector. He’s called the double MD. Why? He’s the MD of Pwan Plus, one of the subsidiaries of PWAN GROUP. He’s also the Group MD of the company, PWAN Group. He was appointed to this position a few years ago due to his overall contribution to the company.
Dr Julius oversees one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the PWAN Group (Africa’s foremost Real Estate & Network Marketing Company) – PWAN PLUS, as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. He also sits as a Director on the Board of Folkland Property Development Company Ltd- the construction arm of the PWAN Group.
Mr Julius sees real estate, not as a vehicle for self-enrichment but as adding value to humanity.
The next person on the list is a lady. She’s no other person than Ololade Valentina Abuta, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Gracias Global Property Limited.
Her company, Gracias Property is one of the few companies in the real estate sector making meaningful impact in the sector.
The company has more than 20 housing estates in Lagos and through her, many Nigerians have become landlords. She’s well respected in the industry for her integrity and humility.
Although she started her career as an actress and featured in a few movies and produced 2 movies, she later switched to buying and selling before she finally switched to real estate where she now plays big.
Olawale Ayilara is another big name who is playing big in the sector. He’s the CEO of LandWey Investment, one of the leading real estate firms in Lagos.
Mr Olawale is one of the big things in the Lekki/Ajah axis, as we write. His housing estates are all over the area. He builds massively on Ogombo Road especially. He has about two or more housing estates on the road.
Olawale ventured into entrepreneurship at a very young age, setting up businesses even while he was still in the University recording successes and failures as he grew. After obtaining his first degree, Olawale who considered a 9–5 job as a misfit, worked for Eagles Insight Innovation as the Business Development Manager and Strategist for 3 years before starting his company. Olawale said he began his entrepreneurial journey right from a very young age, trying his hands on several businesses before finding his oil in the real estate sector. This earned him a spot on Africa’s Forbes 30 under 30 (Business) list in 2018 amongst other achievements.
Another name on the list is Kehinde Alex Bankole, who is the MD/CEO, KAB CONSTRUCTION LIMITED. He has vast experience in Construction and Real Estate Management. He steered the wheels of the Lekki Court Estate for several years, a project that has today matured into a billion Naira diversified industry.
Currently, he’s building a massive housing estate on Orchird Road, called Lekki Court. A lot of people have been making enquiries about this new housing estate. He’s also selling landed property in Lagos and beyond, one of them is Cottage Gardens in Ibeju-Lekki, along with many other estates.
His professional career began with the defunct Oceanic Bank, from where he proceeded on the entrepreneurial journey of architecture that birthed KAB Constructions Limited in 2009.
Dr Stephen Akintayo is Africa’s most influential real estate Investment Coach. He is the GMD/CEO of Gtext Global which is the mother company of different subsidiaries, which includes Gtext Homes, a Real Estate company with a highly innovative and young workforce.
This young man is currently one of the faces of the Nigerian real estate sector, in Nigeria and abroad. He has many properties in Dubai and UK. He has also made a lot of people become landlords in a short period of time.
His head office is in Banana Island, Lagos, Nigeria, and other branches including Omole Phase 1, Lagos; Abuja, FCT; Ibadan, Oyo State; Abeokuta, Ogun State; Asaba, Delta State and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, all in Nigeria.
Gtext Homes also has offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE); London, United Kingdom and Florida, USA. They currently have a workforce of over 300 people.
Other subsidiaries include the Stephen Akintayo Consulting (SAC), which has its Headquarters in Dubai, UAE.
Talk of the youngest in the real estate sector, who is doing well and Adetola Rilwan Nola, the MD/CEO, Veritasi Homes and Properties Limited, would be mentioned.
This young man, who was born in the 90s, and is a big real estate investor, is the rallying point now in the sector. The young man who started small he’s now doing well. He founded and runs Nola Travels, a travel brand providing travel services to different tourist destinations.
His career in real estate began with Grenadine Homes as a consultant, where he closed a number of deals before he founded his company in 2017.
He started working as an intern at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and as a real estate consultant at Grenadine Homes.
Adetola started Veritasi Homes in 2017 and he has other investments in travel, the automobile industry, fashion, and agriculture.
He has spoken at many local and international conferences including the University of Mazda, Abu Dhabi and Property Investment & Homebuyers Show, London.
He was recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Business Category from Forbes Africa.
He was also the Young Real Estate CEO Speaker from Property Investment Show, London, as well as the Best Intern in Operations from NNPC.
Mr Chris Abiodun is the young man making waves in Lekki/Ajah axis. He is the MD/CEO of Christal Homes, a reputable real estate company based in Lagos.
Christal Homes is a group of real estate professionals who specialize in the marketing, lease, and sale of new lands and properties as well as the resale of luxury homes.
Mr Chris has become one of the household names in the sector.
Mr Abiodun Odutayo is another young man making an impact in real estate. This young man builds luxury houses for the rich. He has built lots of houses in Agungi, Osapa axis. Abiodun Odutayo is the CEO of Hagar Realty & Appraisal Services Ltd. and is one of the active property developers in Lagos. He’s young, innovative and stylish. Most of his housing projects are fully luxury and innovative. He builds in the high brow of Lagos where the rich and celebrities live.
Millicent Duru is another female name. She is one of the best in the sector. She is the founder of Gisselle Homes. Talk of one female realtor who makes good sales and builds luxury homes, it is Millicent Duru. She is also a Specialist/Consultant, always sourcing for unique property investment deals that deliver for investors: from luxury 5 Star Boutique Hotels to Centrally-Located, Fully Managed Student Properties, Off-plan Property deals-all thoroughly researched. She’s one of the most sought-after marketers now in Lekki/Ajah axis Shakirat Ayobami Kareem is a successful real estate player, and the MD/CEO, White Rose Group. She has done well for herself. She recently unveiled Camelot Mews by WhiteRose and Fresh Water Garden by WhiteRose.
She’s one of the young real estate players doing well in the industry.
–Isaac Abimbade
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