From London housing estates to the GRA streets of Ibadan, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem’s career has traced a steady climb through construction, and he now channels that experience into a bigger mission at home.

He developed his professional foundation in the United Kingdom, where he gained extensive experience across leading London-based organisations. His portfolio includes Servite Houses, Sanctuary Housing, Notting Hill Housing, Network Housing, Newlon Housing, Ascham Homes, St Albans District Council, Ringley Surveyors, and Morrison Construction.H e began his career as a Technical Officer and, through dedication and consistent professional excellence, rose to the position of Project Engineer. The progression reflects a strong growth trajectory within the construction and housing sectors.

A Chartered Engineer with broad expertise in building construction, project management, and public-private partnerships. His academic credentials were obtained in the United Kingdom and include Building Surveying from the University of Greenwich, Building Engineering from Sheffield Hallam University, and Construction Project Management from the University of West London. He is currently pursuing an LLM/MSc in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution at Leeds Beckett University.

He is a member of several internationally recognised professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers, and the Society of Construction Lawyers, UK.

Engr. Karheem commitment to engineering in Nigeria is driven by a desire to deliver quality infrastructure and housing that improves lives, creates jobs, and contributes to national development. He maintains that Nigerian engineers possess the capacity to deliver world-class projects, provided they are given the right support, enabling environment, and opportunities.

In this special interview, Engr. Karheem reflects on the key milestones recorded by Afia Group of Companies, examines the prevailing challenges in the sector, and outlines projections for the future.
Excerpts.

What core values guide your leadership and the operations of your organization?
Our core values are Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Sustainability, and Community Impact. We are committed to delivering high-quality projects on time and to specification, maintaining transparency in all dealings, continuously improving our methods, building sustainably, and ensuring that our developments positively impact the communities where we operate.

As the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Afia Group, what key opportunities do you see for engineers and engineering firms as Nigeria pursues economic diversification and infrastructure development?

There are significant opportunities in housing delivery, urban infrastructure, public-private partnerships (PPPs), commercial developments, and specialized facilities such as healthcare infrastructure. As Nigeria continues to diversify and invest in infrastructure, engineers who can deliver quality, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions particularly through joint ventures and PPPs, will play a central role. Firms that combine technical competence with strong project management and local knowledge are well positioned to thrive.

AFIA Group in December 2025, commissioned the Afia Apartment and Afia Court, can you share more about these projects?

In December 2025, we successfully commissioned Afia Apartment and Afia Court. These landmark projects were commissioned by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the Olubadan of Ibadan, underscoring the significance of the developments to the state. Both projects form part of our residential portfolio in Ibadan and reflect our commitment to delivering modern, functional, and quality housing. Afia Court is a premium residential development, while Afia Apartment provides quality apartment living. They were designed to meet the growing demand for well-planned residential accommodation in the city, with a strong focus on quality finishes,

functionality, and long-term value for residents. In recognition of our contributions, Afia Group was also honoured with the award of Biggest Indigenous Developer in Oyo State by City People.

Can you share some of your organization other ongoing projects and completed projects?
Our completed and landmark projects include the Chief Lateef Oyelade GRA, Ring Road, Ibadan, done as a PPP with the Oyo State Government. We also have Afia Court and Afia Apartment at Lateef Oyelade GRA, Mandamis by Afia in Iyaganku GRA, Magdalen’s Court by Afia in Agodi GRA, Apinke’s Lodge at Lateef Oyelade GRA, and The Crest by Afia in Agodi GRA.

Right now, we’ve got more residential estates, commercial developments, and strategic joint ventures in the pipeline across the South-West. We’re also looking into specialized facilities and more public-private partnerships to scale impact.

What are the other companies under the group and its mission and objectives?

Afia Group of Companies is a diversified group. Afia Construction Limited is our core engineering arm. It was incorporated on 9 September 2008 and handles building construction and engineering.

Beyond construction, we also have: Afia Homes: We develop and manage residential communities and land assets designed for comfort, security, and long-term value. We make home ownership more accessible through structured payment plans and verified titles. Afia Farms & Food Processing Company Ltd: We invest across the agriculture value chain, cultivation, livestock, processing, and distribution. The aim is to create rural employment and strengthen national food security.

Afia CEO Mentorship: We support founders and executives with the strategy, systems, and accountability needed to scale profitable, values-driven businesses.

Afia Institute of Islamic Studies: The Institute combines authentic Islamic scholarship with modern learning methods to nurture students of sound character who contribute to their families, communities, and the nation.

Our mission is to deliver high-quality solutions across all our sectors, drive sustainable development, and create lasting impact in the communities we serve. Our key objectives are to be a leading player in real estate development and construction in Nigeria, deliver projects to high standards of quality and safety, create value through strategic partnerships including PPPs and joint ventures, promote accessible home ownership through partnerships with financial institutions like Stanbic IBTC, and contribute meaningfully to community development, food security, leadership capacity building, and education.

What policy interventions or government support are critical to enable Nigerian engineers to compete globally and deliver world-class projects locally?

For Nigerian engineers and firms to really compete, here are the key things we need to see from government: Consistent and transparent PPP frameworks so everyone knows the rules and can plan long term. Easier access to long-term project financing to make big projects viable. Faster, simpler regulatory and approval processes for construction and real estate. Real support for local content and building local capacity. Stable economic policies that help control construction cost swings.

And more investment in technical education and continuous professional development for engineers.
With these in place, Nigerian engineers and companies will be able to deliver quality projects competitively, both here at home and abroad.

How is your organization preparing for the future in terms of talent development, sustainability, and adoption of emerging technologies like AI, renewable energy, and smart infrastructure?

We are actively preparing for the future across three key areas: Talent Development: We continue to invest in mentoring young professionals and building internal capacity to ensure we have a skilled workforce capable of delivering high-quality projects. Sustainability & Emerging Technologies: We are incorporating smart home technologies into our developments and exploring renewable energy solutions.

We are also working with foreign partners to design future projects that will not be fully dependent on the national grid. Our goal is to generate power on-site and earn credit by selling surplus energy to the PHCN (electricity distribution companies). These initiatives form part of our broader strategy to deliver more sustainable, efficient, and future-ready infrastructure.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind, and how do you envision the next generation of Nigerian engineers powering the economy?

I hope to leave a legacy of quality, integrity, and impactful developments that improve living standards and demonstrate that Nigerian engineers can deliver excellence. I envision the next generation of Nigerian engineers as highly skilled, innovative, and globally competitive professionals who will drive infrastructure development, housing delivery, and technological advancement ultimately powering sustainable economic growth across the country.

How do you strike a balance between your professional responsibilities, family life, and social commitments, while maintaining excellence in all areas?

Balance comes from prioritization, effective delegation, and strong systems. I believe in surrounding myself with competent teams, maintaining clear focus on strategic priorities, and making deliberate time for family and community responsibilities. Excellence is sustained by discipline, continuous learning, and a commitment to doing things the right way both professionally and personally.