The President of the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI-Africa and Near East Region, Mr Adele Adeniji, has disclosed that the association will drive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria’s real estate sector through the arrays of international players that will come into the country as it hosts the world congress.
He said the congress hosted by FIABCI-Nigeria, themed “Global Real Estate Renaissance” promises an unparalleled gathering of real estate professionals, thought leaders, and industry pioneers from around the world. The forum would bring together over 200 international players, and 700 local players across the real estate sector, finance and other sectors in Lagos.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Adeniji said the 75th Congress hosting right, which is the first-ever FIABCI World Congress on the African continent, was granted to Nigeria not on the platter of gold but because Nigeria deserves it.
He explained that the forum will showcase Nigeria’s real estate investment, infrastructure development, and tourism potential, as well as drive discussions on innovation, transformation, and sustainability development.
“We have international and local experts coming like President-elect of the National Association of Realtors, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, Chief Executive Officer of UPDC PLC, Odunayo Ojo, CEO Eximia Realty, Hakeem Ogunniran and Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Lagos, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and other professionals in the housing sector,” he said.
The Vice President, FIABCI-Nigeria, Ayodele Odeleye, said there will be a series of exclusive study/learning tours to provide delegates foresight into Nigeria’s rapidly evolving landscape, especially Lagos urban renewal projects and innovative housing developments and infrastructure advancements such as the Eko-Atlantic City project, and Lekki Free Trade Zone.
The study tour, he explained, will offer practical lessons on investment in real estate, implementation and urban planning. He said such a tour will help to disabuse the minds of investors from seeing Africa and Nigeria as a backward place and create opportunities for delegates to network with industry leaders, developers and government officials thereby fostering strategic collaboration.
Vice president Young Professional Council of FIABCI-International, Rei Obaigbo, urged young professionals to take advantage of the opportunity to network with other young professionals from other climes. “The congress will help to fix the brand Nigeria and correct many of the misconceptions about the country’s image,” Obaigbo said.
Also speaking, members of the organising committee of the congress, Mr Rogba Orimalade and Ivie Dike, said the congress will feature award presentations for outstanding projects, which will celebrate excellence in global real estate, offering an evening of recognition and networking.
