Get Guardian on GoogleFrom estate banking and fibre connectivity to technology-enabled security and everyday resident services, REMA 2026 highlighted how collaboration and innovation can improve the way residential communities function.
How can residential communities become easier to manage, better connected and more convenient for the people who live in them? This question shaped the discussions and showcases at the second edition of the Real Estate Management in Africa (REMA) conference, convened by Venco on 5 November 2026 at the Admiralty Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
With Paystack MFB as Headline Sponsor, REMA 2026 brought together over 600 attendees from across Nigeria’s residential real estate ecosystem. Developers, estate and facility managers, service providers, industry professionals and other stakeholders gathered to explore the technology, infrastructure and partnerships needed to support the next phase of residential community development.
The event, themed “From the Ground Up: Rethinking How Communities Live, Operate and Grow,” built on the foundation established by the inaugural 2025 edition. While the first conference created a platform for industry stakeholders to examine the challenges affecting residential communities, this year’s edition placed greater emphasis on the solutions, relationships and systems that can help address them.
The programme explored several interconnected areas, including property development, housing, facility management, energy, sustainability, governance and urban security. Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, speakers examined how different stakeholders can work together to improve the infrastructure and services that shape everyday residential experiences.
Hakeem Ogunniran, Founder and CEO of Eximia Realty Company Limited, delivered the keynote address, exploring what communities should inherit beyond the physical structures in which they are built.
The speaker line-up brought together professionals and leaders from across the real estate and related sectors. These included Chimezie Henry Ebuluofor, CEO of Henry Montego Homes; Engr. Sheriff Daramola, 15th President of IFMA Nigeria Chapter; Sulyman Bello, President of LERSA; Ogheneyoma (Yoma) Asorho, CEO of Edge Facilities Management; Irene Aguttu, Chairperson of Kilimani Community Foundation; Damola Ajayi, CEO of Blueskills; Kate Ebinum, Executive Director of Prime Innovation Institute of Technology; Abolade Ajolopo of Triumph Property & Facility Management Company; and Precious Ogbomo, Founder of Skillz HQ.
Also contributing to the conversations were Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, MD/CEO of the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, represented by Prince Adeniyi Aromolaran; Olu Raheem, Executive Director of The Scandic Lion; ESV Michael Akinwale Ojo, MD of Ogun State Housing Corporation; Kayode Alade, CEO of Electra Systems; Wola Joseph-Condotti, MD, Distribution, Transgrid Enerco Limited; Oluseye Popoola, Head of Business Development at Axxela Integrated Power; Tunde Obileye, Chairman of IWFM; Dr MKO Balogun, MD/CEO of GPFI Group; Romeo Akinwande, Chief Engagement Officer of Lekki Gardens Estate; Engr. Ajibade Adefusika, Head of Engineering at Ridgewell Construction Company; Prof. Hikmot Adunola Koleoso, Head of the Department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos; Lanre Showunmi, Group COO of Halogen Group; Wilfred Uzoma, CEO of Noble Guard; Rotimi Olubeko, Chairman of Cowrie Creek Estate; and Egerton Idehen, Chief Broadband Officer at MTN Nigeria.
For Venco, the conversations at REMA connect directly to a broader ambition: bringing the different services and stakeholders that support residential communities into a more connected ecosystem.
Abiola Showemimo, Chief Operating Officer at Venco, explained that the event was designed to move the industry from conversations about challenges towards practical action.
“When we held the first REMA in 2025, we wanted to bring together the different people and organisations responsible for building and managing residential communities, and create a space for important industry conversations.
“This year, we’re taking those conversations a step further. It’s no longer just about discussing the challenges we face, but about what we can actually do to solve them.
“What I’m particularly excited about is seeing these conversations translate into real solutions and partnerships across banking, connectivity, security, energy and other essential services.
“For me, the success of REMA isn’t just about the conversations we have or the number of people in the room. It’s about what happens afterwards, the partnerships we build, the actions we take and ultimately, how these translate into better experiences for the people living in our communities.”
That focus on practical collaboration was reflected in the partnerships highlighted during the event.
Through its community banking partnership with Paystack MFB, Venco is focused on providing banking and financial services tailored to residential estates. This includes estate banking, collections and disbursements, community financial management and opportunities to introduce other relevant financial services for residents and estate operators.
The collaboration with MTN FibreX is focused on improving access to reliable fibre internet connectivity across eligible residential estates within the Venco ecosystem. The initiative is designed to identify suitable communities, facilitate fibre deployment and support adoption among residents.
In the area of community safety, Venco also highlighted its work with Halogen through Safe Haven. The initiative focuses on bringing technology-enabled security solutions into residential communities, beginning with pilot estates.
Beyond these partnerships, the event provided an opportunity to demonstrate how technology can address some of the everyday needs of residents and the operational demands of estate managers.
Venco Tokenless, for instance, simplifies prepaid electricity top-ups by removing the need for residents to manually enter tokens after purchasing electricity. The solution is designed to make the process of topping up meters more convenient and seamless.
Venco Marketplace provides residents with access to merchants, products and everyday services through the Venco ecosystem. It also gives businesses an opportunity to showcase their offerings and connect with potential customers within residential communities.
The Venco Partner Programme was also highlighted as a way to bring more property developers, facility managers and other real estate professionals into the ecosystem. Through the programme, Venco aims to extend its solutions to more communities while building stronger relationships with the professionals responsible for managing and developing them.
Speaking about the thinking behind Venco’s approach, Chude Osiegbu, Chief Executive Officer of Venco, said: “At Venco, we’ve always believed that building residential communities is only one part of the equation. What matters just as much is how those communities function every day and the quality of life they provide for the people living in them.
“Our vision is to build the technology and connections that make residential communities work better. Whether it’s how residents access electricity, manage payments, shop for everyday essentials or access reliable internet and security services, we see an opportunity to make these experiences simpler and more connected.
“The partnerships and solutions we’re introducing at REMA are part of that bigger picture. We want to create an ecosystem where residents, estate managers and service providers can work better together, and where technology makes a real difference in how people live.”
The exhibition component of REMA 2026 extended this focus on innovation and collaboration, bringing together organisations with solutions across different parts of the residential real estate ecosystem. Exhibitors included 9Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Electra, Halogen, IFMA Nigeria, MTN FibreX, Roofteller, Paystack MFB, Tangerine, Transact Pay, WrkMan, Edge FM, Doctor247 and Spaceicon.
Their participation offered attendees an opportunity to interact with organisations working across financial services, energy, connectivity, security, facility management and community services, highlighting the range of expertise required to support better-functioning residential communities.
Beyond showcasing individual products and services, REMA 2026 reinforced the importance of connecting the different parts of the residential ecosystem. Better community experiences depend on more than technology alone; they require the right partnerships, effective coordination and solutions that respond to the everyday needs of residents and those managing their communities.
For Venco, REMA is part of an ongoing effort to create a more connected residential community ecosystem, where technology and collaboration can help make everyday living simpler and community operations more efficient.
