2016 marks five years since we started Real Estate Unite. We are excited about the vibes the events generate and the transformation the industry has witnessed since its inception.
Reviewing Nigeria’s growth in January 2016, the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, noted that “emerging markets and developing economies are now confronting a new reality of lower growth, with cynical and structural forces undermining the traditional growth paradigm. Nigeria has to deal with the difficulties presented by falling oil prices, reduced emerging market demands and tightening global financial conditions that have led to sharply lower export earnings and government revenues.” Some of the policy recommendations related to improving the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy were discussed. These include focusing on the critical area of infrastructure, where power, transportation and housing are especially key.
We believe it’s time to blow the whistle and begin to look inwards as a great nation with huge potential. We must act fast and begin to exploit the potential these critical areas bring, especially the housing sector. Not only will it help to significantly increase employment and impact multiple sectors of the economy.
Real Estate Unite is a three-fold event, comprising a conference, exhibition and awards as well as exclusive meeting sessions such as the African Women in Real Estate Meeting and Real Estate Leader Meeting.
At this year’s edition of Real Estate Unite , which will hold on the 6th and 7th of October at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, our objectives are to identify the gaps impeding progress in the key areas of the Nigerian economy and understand the new growth drivers in today’s local capacity/ resources driven market. Hence the theme: Filling the G.A.P.S.
G.A.P.S is an acronym for Government-Access-Private Sector-Strategy.
Government: Enhancing government performance through effective leadership, education and technology.
Access: Enabling access through regulatory reforms.
Private Sector: Real estate market in a recessive economy, local solutions to finding cheaper money.
Strategy: Rethinking local strategies for financing real estate in a recessive economy.
Distinguished guests of honour and speakers include the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode; and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).
In addition, there will be over 25 speakers and panellists which include Hakeem Ogunniran of UPDC; Ronald Chagoury Jr. of South Energyx Nigeria Ltd; Prof. Charles Inyangete, Nidi Adeleye, Stanbic IBTC; Paul Onwuanibe of Landmark; Kunlé Adeyemi of NLE Architecture; Adeniyi Falade of Crusader Sterling Pension; Andrea Geday of Elalan Construction Company; Sam Odia of Millard Fuller Foundation; Faustin Moukala of CFAO; Anne Rinu of Standard Chartered Bank; Jan Van Zyl of Novare Equity Partners and some members of the Advisory Board of Real Estate Unite.
Real Estate Unite 2016, being the 5th edition, will feature new programmes more than the previous years. This year’s edition comes with the new 3Invest biennial recognition list which is very different from the awards we have given in the past. Real Estate Unite Awards will now hold every two years.
Having invested resources in promoting the real estate industry in Nigeria to the global market over the years, we can appreciate the strides of various players in the industry and this award presentation will be to acknowledge them and encourage others
3Invest biennial list will feature individuals and companies inspiring change in the real estate industry. These will be people who by their actions have brought in FDI to the sector, influence decisions and provide innovative solutions driving growth in the real estate industry and they are illustrated in the following categories:
- Change agents – These are people who inspire change through innovation.
- Top influencers – This category focuses on people influencing investment decisions.
- Grand achievers – These are persons with remarkable contributions to the Nigerian real estate industry.
- Next wave – A category dedicated to under-40s to watch ou for.
- Special Hero award – honouring a special person who has been relentless in shaping this industry into what it is today and who has specifically changed someone’s life.
Another activity slated for Real Estate Unite is the launch of the 3Invest “SHARING ECONOMY MODEL” which we believe is the future of commercial real estate.
As the Chief Executive of 3Invest, I must say I am very proud of how far Real Estate Unite has developed in just 5 years since inception and the (global) influence it has had on the sector.
You will agree with me that it’s quite a daunting task to put an event like this together, especially at this time in our nation’s economy when we have limited resources at our disposal. We are grateful for how far we have come, having hosted four previous editions and the support we got in the industry.
We appreciate all our colleagues who have tirelessly committed resources to promote the real estate industry. We acknowledge the efforts of other stakeholders and their desire for a stronger industry. These efforts motivate us to position ourselves for sustainable growth in the years ahead.
As preparations for Real Estate Unite moves forward, the new collaborative strategy breakout sessions will afford participants the platform to have one-on-one discussions on demand and supply in the retail, office and affordable housing sub-sectors and afford us an opportunity to rethink local strategies to approach real estate in a recessive economy.
On this note, I want to thank our resilient leaders and encourage them never to give up. I thank everyone for taking out time to be part of history.
To my team, I am delighted by how you all made this appear so easy. I welcome you all as we team up to fill the huge gaps in Nigeria’s economy through the real estate sector.
Online registrations are still ongoing for this year’s event. To register, visit or click here.
ABOUT REAL ESTATE UNITE
Real Estate Unite is an annual real estate summit whose primary objective is to unite players in the real estate sectors whilst opening up the immeasurable potential in sub-Saharan Africa’s real estate sector for sustainable growth. The Real Estate Unite advisory board is an independent body made up of professionals from different sectors; it is chaired by Peter Bankole, Jumoke Akinwunmi, Akin Olawore, Sonnie Ayere, Kunle Omotola and Ruth Obih.
For more information on Real Estate Unite, please visit realestateunite.com
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