Nigeria’s real estate market has rapidly evolved into one of the country’s most consequential economic sectors.

Following recent national accounts rebasing, the industry’s valuation climbed to approximately N41.3 trillion in 2024, placing it as the third‑largest contributor to GDP behind trade and crop production and ahead of traditionally dominant sectors such as telecommunications and crude petroleum.

This surge reflects an expanded formal property market, rising urbanisation and increased demand for residential, commercial and infrastructure assets.

Despite its scale, the country faces a persistent housing shortfall.

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The Federal Government had disclosed that approximately 15.2 million housing units across Nigeria were structurally inadequate.

The assessment applied the Household Crowding Index, Adequate Housing Index, and Composite Index Methodology, using data from the NPC, NBS, CBN, and other housing institutions, aligned with World Bank standards.

Against this backdrop, more women are founding and leading influential real estate companies, steering landmark projects, and expanding businesses across Nigeria and beyond.

These leaders are redefining industry norms, demonstrating that expertise, vision, and operational excellence are not limited by gender.

This feature is not a ranking, but a spotlight on women who have founded or helm top real estate companies with at least a decade of market presence, credible track records, and offices or projects nationally or internationally.

In honor of Women’s Month, we showcase the achievements, impact, and leadership of these women, who are shaping Nigeria’s built environment and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs in the real estate sector. 

Saadiya Aminu: CEO/MD Urban Shelter 

Saadiya is a seasoned executive in property development and management, serving as Managing Director and CEO of Urban Shelter Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading property development companies.

With over 15 years of progressive leadership experience, she has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and operational excellence since 2009.

Urban Shelter Limited, established in 1991, specializes in residential, commercial, and retail developments across Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Niger states.

The company has delivered over 5,000 residential units, 7,000 commercial units, 150km of internal roads, and more than 200,000 sqm of green recreational spaces, developing entire neighborhoods such as Kado, Kubwa, and Katampe.

Saadiya has led transformative change at Urban Shelter, including a major repositioning in 2015 that strengthened the company’s leadership in the Nigerian real estate sector.

Her management style focuses on operational efficiency, financial performance, and nurturing talent, turning high-potential staff into innovative and results-driven leaders.

Under her leadership, Urban Shelter has completed over 200 projects, sold thousands of properties, partnered with more than 145 affiliates, and made significant contributions to the national economy through job creation, supply chain impact, and community initiatives, including training and scholarship schemes for over 30 students.

Saadiya holds an MSc in Finance and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade: Founder, Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited 

Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade has operated across the legal and real estate sectors for more than two decades.

She is the founder of Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited, a real estate development and construction company, and a founding partner at KOS Legal Services.

Olomola-Sijuwade is a dual-qualified legal practitioner, licensed to practice in Nigeria and Canada, with experience spanning property law, corporate governance, and real estate advisory.

Her work integrates legal structuring with property development, positioning her across both the transactional and operational sides of the real estate market.

She founded Greenland Concepts in 2000, with a focus on residential developments and student accommodation projects in Nigeria.

She later established KOS Legal Services in 2012, providing legal advisory services in corporate and real estate matters.

Her prior roles include serving as managing director and chief executive officer of the Nigeria Police Property Development and Construction Company from 2020 to 2021, where she oversaw property development initiatives.

She has also held positions in property management at Industrial and General Insurance Plc and Fidelity Bond Nigeria Limited.

Olomola-Sijuwade holds a law degree from the United Kingdom and an MBA from Lagos Business School.

She has also completed executive education at IESE Business School in Spain and is a Member of the National Institute (mni) from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

She is affiliated with professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors in Nigeria and has participated in multiple leadership and management development programs.

Alaba Alozie: Co-founder/ CEO of Lasgidi Realtors 

Alaba Alozie is the CEO of Lasgidi Realtors, an independent property development company, and co-founder of Lasgidi Property Limited, a real estate management and marketing firm.

Since incorporating Lasgidi Realtors in May 2016, she has steered the company from humble beginnings to become a market leader, focused on bridging Nigeria’s 17 million housing deficit while delivering exceptional real estate services.

Over the years, Alozie has worked as a real estate agent across five states, building deep expertise in property marketing, management, and brokerage.

She continues to serve as a principal agent and mentor to other real estate professionals, guiding them through marketing, title documentation, and survey processes.

The Lasgidi Group provides serviced and short-let apartments in prime Lagos locations, including Victoria Island, Eko Atlantic City, Lekki, Ikoyi, Banana Island, and Lakowe, offering innovative solutions for the city’s growing housing demand.

Alozie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Demography and Social Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University (2005–2011), which underpins her analytical approach to understanding housing trends and market demands.

Grace Ofure: CEO Lifecard International 

Grace Ofure is part of a growing class of African entrepreneurs redefining how wealth is created, taught, and sustained across generations.

With more than 18 years of experience spanning real estate, business development, and financial education, she has built a career at the intersection of property investment and wealth strategy.

As the founder of Lifecard International, Ofure has overseen real estate transactions exceeding $10 million, working with a client base of more than 700 individuals and investors.

Her approach goes beyond deal-making, focusing instead on positioning real estate as a long-term vehicle for financial security and legacy building.

But it is her work in education that has expanded her reach.

Through Lifecard University, a digital learning platform, she delivers real estate and financial literacy programs to a growing audience of aspiring investors and entrepreneurs.

Ofure’s influence also extends to the global stage. She has spoken at industry and leadership platforms, including the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) London Conference, where conversations around African wealth creation and female leadership continue to gain momentum.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Ambrose Alli University (1997–2001).

She further completed executive education at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, OMP24 (2015–2017), Strathmore Business School, and Harvard Business School Executive Education, International Real Estate Strategies & Deal Negotiation (issued September 2025).

Olayinka Ogunsulire: CEO of Orange Island Development Company 

Olayinka is a property and infrastructure leader with over 30 years of experience delivering transformative real estate and housing projects across Nigeria. She currently serves as CEO of Orange Island Development Company, spearheading the creation of a pioneering waterfront community in Lagos.

  • Her career spans senior leadership roles, including CEO of Heirs Real Estate and Managing Director of ARM Properties, where she oversaw landmark residential and mixed-use developments that have significantly shaped Nigeria’s urban landscape.
  • Earlier, she was Vice President at African Capital Alliance, contributing to major property and infrastructure investment decisions.

Beyond her professional achievements, Olayinka is deeply committed to inclusive growth and sustainable housing solutions.

She co-founded Building Women®, an initiative that equips young women with essential construction skills, and she serves on the boards of Eko Atlantic City Management Limited, Radisson Blu Anchorage, Oxbridge College Lagos, and the British International Junior School. She is also a member of the Investment Committee of Africa Infra Plus Fund.

Olayinka is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a Certified RICS Mediator, and a member of the Institute of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Strathclyde (1983–1986) and a Master of Philosophy in Land Management from the University of Reading (1987–1989).

Udo Okonjo: CEO/Founder, Fine & Country West Africa 

Udo Okonjo is a Nigerian real estate executive, lawyer, and leadership coach. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Fine & Country West Africa, a luxury real estate brokerage firm operating in Nigeria.

Okonjo began her career in law, graduating as the best graduating female student from the Nigerian Law School in 1991.

She later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from King’s College London as a Chevening Scholar and was admitted to the New York Bar.

She practiced law for nearly two decades, advising multinational corporations on cross-border transactions across Africa.

In 2008, she founded Fine & Country West Africa, introducing international standards to Nigeria’s high-end real estate market.

Under her leadership, the firm has facilitated more than $300 million in property transactions and has advised on developments including the World Trade Centre Residences in Abuja, The Civic Centre offices in Lagos, Osborne Towers, and Belmonte Residences.

Okonjo is also active in leadership development and women’s empowerment initiatives.

She founded Inspired Women of Worth (IWOW), a platform focused on leadership development for African women, and launched the Power Woman Conference, an annual gathering of female leaders across the continent. In 2024, she established Radiant Collective Capital, a women-focused co-investment network.

She is a certified executive coach through the University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business and a member of the Forbes Business Council.

Okonjo has more than 30 years of leadership experience. She has stated a goal of coaching 1,000 leaders by 2030.

Olajumoke Adenowo: CEO/Founder AD Consulting 

Olajumoke Adenowo has been in the real estate and architecture sector for over 30 years. She is the founder of AD Consulting Limited, an architecture and design firm she established at the age of 25 in 1994.

  •  The firm provides architecture, master planning, and brand environment design services, and has delivered projects for multinational and institutional clients, including Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, Stanbic IBTC, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Access Bank, as well as various government entities.
  • The firm has completed more than 100 projects across sectors, including commercial, residential, healthcare, and mixed-use developments.

She began her career as an assistant architect at Towry Coker Associates and later worked at Femi Majekodunmi Associates, where she contributed to major projects, including the Federal Ministry of Finance complex in Abuja.

Adenowo has more than three decades of professional experience in architecture and design.

Her work has been associated with a design philosophy she describes as “NeoHeritage Architecture,” which integrates African cultural heritage with contemporary design principles.

She has also held roles outside architectural practice, including serving as a board member at Flutterwave from 2024 to 2026 and as an academic laureate at the Technical University of Munich in 2019, where she was a guest scientist in architecture theory and history.

Adenowo has completed executive education programs at Yale School of Management (2016) and Harvard Kennedy School (2019), and has also attended the Lagos Business School and IESE Business School.

Mercy Torkwase Iyortyer: Co-founder/CEO Zihabit 

Mercy Torkwase Iyortyer is a pioneering figure in Nigerian quantity surveying and project management, with over 40 years of experience overseeing development and infrastructure projects. Her expertise spans cost management, project delivery, financial oversight, risk management, dispute resolution, and facility management.

  • Iyortyer began her career in 1979 as  NYSC corper with the Ministry of Works and Housing, Makurdi, and later joined the Federal Capital Development Authority, Abuja, in 1985, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief Quantity Surveyor.
  • In 1991, she co-founded Zihabit with her husband, the late Arc. Dr. Philip Zegetar Iyortyer, a visionary architect who had played a pivotal role in relocating Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja and in constructing iconic government buildings, including the Presidential Villa, Supreme Court, National Assembly Complex, and International Conference Centre. She also serves as Managing Partner of MTI Partnership, a leading quantity surveying consultancy.

Iyortyer’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements. She was the first female Quantity Surveyor in Nigeria’s Northern Region, the first female chairperson of a NIQS chapter (FCT Chapter), and the founding chairperson of the Women Association of Quantity Surveyors (WAQSN).

She became the first woman to represent NIQS on the Council of the African Association of Quantity Surveyors, the first woman elected Deputy President of NIQS unopposed, and ultimately the first female President of the Institute in its 46-year history.

A Fellow and Past President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Iyortyer is a Registered Quantity Surveyor (RQS) with the Quantity Surveyors’ Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN).

This is not an exhaustive list; there are many other women shaping Nigeria’s real estate sector. None of the individuals featured solicited inclusion, and the list is subject to feedback and will be updated periodically.