Unlocking real estate potential in Nigeria
The FIABCI-Nigeria Business Forum and Dinner 2020 was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria-Island, in Lagos under the theme “Ease of Doing Business (Series 2): The Real Estate Perspective.” Organized annually, the event aims at setting the tone for business in the country for the year ahead.
Among the speakers present were Thought4Action Founder & CEO Elena Panaritis, Global PropTech expert Wouter Truffino, a Global PropTech expert and Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
The Business Forum also featured very engaging panel sessions related to Economics and PropTech, which included high-level industry professionals such as Mustapha Njie (TAF Holdings), Adebayo Sanni (Oracle Nigeria), Femi Akintunde (Alpha Mead), Deji Soetan (BAM Technology), Kateryna Pylpchuk (S&P). The sessions were moderated by Hakeem Ogunniran (Eximia Realty) and Jumoke Akure (Estate Links).
The event attracted stakeholders from multiple lines of business, ranging from real estate to agriculture, and commerce to industry. Several exhibitions where held by real estate developers who showcased their projects, including First Investment Development Company – the event’s major partner -, with “Ilubirin”, an urban regeneration project situated on Lagos’ lagoon waterfront.
Later that day, notable dignitaries and personalities attended the Gala Dinner. Among them were former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc Peter Amangbo, FIABCI World President Walid Moussa, FIABCI-Nigeria President Adeniji Adele, President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers Rowland Abonta, among others.
One of the highlights of the dinner was the presentation of Elena Panaritis, who identified the challenges Nigeria currently faces in terms of the economic divide and affordable housing.
On the following day, the FIABCI delegation had the opportunity to take part in property tours to various development projects in the country.
The weekend culminated with the outstanding decoration award of Ronald Chagoury - Founder of Eko Atlantic City - as honorary member of FIABCI-Nigeria.