The President of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), Nigeria, Ayodeji Odeleye, has pledged to position Nigeria as a major destination for international real estate investment.

Odeleye spoke in Lagos during his induction as president of the Nigerian chapter. Sixteen new members were also inducted at the event.

He said Nigeria has strong potential to attract foreign investment through real estate. He added that the country could become a major player in Africa’s property market.

FIABCI World Congress

Odeleye pointed to the successful hosting of FIABCI’s 75th World Congress in Lagos as proof of Nigeria’s potential.

The event was the first FIABCI World Congress to be held in Africa. Odeleye said the congress showed that Nigeria could host major global real estate events.

He said the event also gave Nigerian professionals greater visibility within the international property industry.

According to him, his administration will focus on turning FIABCI’s global network into business and investment opportunities for members.

He also wants Nigerian professionals to gain more access to international knowledge and partnerships.

Odeleye said Nigeria should have a stronger voice in global discussions about the future of African real estate.

Focus on Young Professionals

The new FIABCI Nigeria president also announced plans to expand the chapter’s membership.

He said the association would introduce a mentorship programme for younger professionals. The programme will focus on skills, training and international exposure.

He said these efforts would help members compete for business opportunities both in Nigeria and abroad.

Odeleye also promised to strengthen the chapter’s institutional structure. He said his administration would promote transparency, unity and greater participation among members.

Wider Participation

The FIABCI Nigeria president said the association should not be seen as an organisation based in only one city.

He called for members in Abuja, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country to take part in the chapter’s activities.

A wider membership base could help the association connect more professionals across Nigeria’s property market. It could also improve the sharing of knowledge and business opportunities within the sector.

Building Communities, Not Just Estates

Odeleye also called for a broader approach to property development.

He said developers should look beyond building estates and focus on creating functional communities.

This approach requires attention to roads, water, power, transport and other basic infrastructure. It also requires closer cooperation between developers and government agencies.

For Nigeria’s housing sector, this is important because housing development is closely linked to infrastructure and urban planning. New homes cannot function as complete communities without access to basic services and supporting infrastructure.

Stronger Government Engagement

Odeleye said FIABCI members have access to international professionals and global industry practices.

The association regularly engages with international colleagues through webinars and other professional activities.

He said the knowledge gained from these engagements could be shared with government officials. This could support better decisions on housing, infrastructure and urban development.

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has responsibilities covering housing and urban development in Nigeria. Better cooperation between government and property professionals can support more informed approaches to development.

Opatola Commended

Odeleye also praised the immediate past president, Akin Opatola, for his leadership of the Nigerian chapter.

He credited Opatola with promoting an inclusive approach during his tenure. His administration also led the chapter through the 75th FIABCI World Congress in Lagos.

Opatola also encouraged collaboration between FIABCI Nigeria and relevant government agencies.

Real Estate and Nigeria’s Investment Future

Real estate remains important to Nigeria’s housing, construction and urban development needs. The sector also provides opportunities for domestic and international investors.

Odeleye’s focus on international partnerships could help connect Nigerian professionals with investors, developers and property experts from other markets.

For Nigeria to attract more investment, however, real estate growth must go alongside strong infrastructure, effective planning and better cooperation between the public and private sectors.

The FIABCI Nigeria leadership is now seeking to use its international network to expand business opportunities, improve professional development and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global real estate industry.

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The Cross River State Government has challenged housing corporations across Nigeria to move beyond constructing isolated estates and focus on developing scalable, replicable systems capable of bridging the nation’s widening housing deficit. Speaking on behalf of Governor Bassey Otu at a national housing workshop in Calabar, the Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Beatrice Igwe, emphasized that Nigeria’s shelter demand heavily outpaces current supply. This disparity persists primarily because conventional property development and financing models consistently exclude low-income earners from the formal property market.

To resolve these structural accessibility barriers, the state administration is piloting an innovative Public-Private-Community Partnership framework under its regional development agenda. As a practical step toward this goal, authorities announced the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for a 500-unit housing estate in the Central Senatorial District on July 4, 2026. The state plans to expand this systematic model across its Northern and Southern senatorial zones to deliver 1,500 units statewide, while a specialized 50-unit social housing project targeted at indigent women has already reached an advanced stage of completion.

The state government urged real estate executives to standardize building designs, improve transparent operational collaborations, and actively engage institutional financiers to unlock long-term capital at scale. In tandem with sub-national efforts, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development reiterated its commitment to structural reforms aimed at positioning the construction sector as a driver of economic growth. Through the national Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the federal government is advancing property developments across all six geopolitical zones by prioritizing local building materials, overhauling land administration, and expanding mortgage accessibility.

Industry leadership underscored that modern construction technologies and alternative financing structures must be deployed to match the speed of Nigeria’s population growth. Sector experts concluded that sustainable homeownership will remain out of reach for ordinary citizens unless developers abandon fragmented building practices in favor of unified, macro-level structural systems.

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