Across many African countries, youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge despite the huge opportunity in real estate and urban development, and a growing demand for housing. Young people make up a large percentage of the population, yet few have access to the skills or networks needed to thrive in sectors like real estate, where technical expertise, market understanding, and mentorship are essential.

The lack of trained professionals and entrepreneurial talent has slowed innovation even as urban real estate markets expand. Companies often cite shortages of sales talent, deal structures, and strategic thinkers, while thousands of unemployed graduates continue to search for meaningful work.

Recognizing this systemic gap, Ruona Oghuvbu, a dynamic real estate professional and strategist, took a mentorship approach that bridges the disconnect between education and employment in the real estate sector. With close to a decade of industry experience, Ruona has built an impressive portfolio across Nigeria, Dubai, and the United Kingdom, specializing in luxury property sales, financing, joint venture structuring, and project development.

His approach, launched in response to the talent shortfall, helps young professionals move from theory to action. His mentorship program embeds practical experience, strategic guidance, and entrepreneurial thinking, tackling both youth unemployment and the industry’s skill gap. Participants are immersed in real-world functions such as investor engagement, land acquisition, JV structuring, and sales strategy.

Through the mentorship, he also breaks down barriers to challenges like accessing high-net-worth individuals and development projects, critical touch points typically reserved for insiders. “I don’t just want to sell properties, I want to shape cities,” Ruona states, a quote that defines the mission behind his mentorship pipeline.

This exposure multiplies impact. Participants don’t just learn, many evolve into micro-entrepreneurs and business owners who go on to drive local development, diversify market participation, and build professional legacies of their own.

The mentorship also improves industry efficiency. By supplying the real estate sector with trained, agile talent equipped for high-turnover roles, Ruona’s model shortens onboarding times and accelerates project delivery, both essential in a high-demand housing market.

The approach is self-sustaining, value-generating, and scalable. It reflects Ruona’s broader professional philosophy, one rooted in integrity, excellence, legacy, and discipline.

As African cities brace for exponential population growth and mounting real estate needs, this kind of grassroots, talent-first approach proves not only timely, but transformative. With leaders like Ruona Oghuvbu laying the foundation, Africa is better positioned to build cities that don’t just grow, but thrive