The 5th edition of the Real Estate Unite is set to take place on 6 and 7 of October 2016 at the Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. This is an annual summit that offers the platform for global real estate leaders to discuss opportunities and issues in Africa’s real estate sector.

“We believe it’s time to blow the whistle and begin to look inwards as a nation with huge potential,” said Ruth Obih, CEO 3Invest speaking at a press conference.

The event themed “filing the GAPS” will look at how the government and private sector strategy can be used to grow the potentials of the Nigerian real estate market, and engage new growth drivers for the local capacity driven market.

Over the years, the real estate industry has witnessed rapid transformation through development. While Nigeria has experienced some challenges, the general trend of the nation’s real estate industry remains promising. In the second quarter of 2016, the real estate sector grew by 2.12 percent and added 8.64 percent to the country’s nominal GDP. The forthcoming conference aims to infuse more energy into the sector to create jobs and drive entrepreneurship.

The event will be in different sessions, which comprises of the conference, exhibition, awards as well as exclusive meeting sessions. The exclusive meeting sessions will be African Women in Real Estate Meeting (AWIRE) and Real Estate Leaders Meeting. The event will also feature new programs such as the new 3INVEST biennial recognition. It will also feature strategy sessions to foster a collaborative network of ideas and solutions.

“We must act fast and start to exploit the opportunities around, especially the housing sector as it will generate employment and impact multiple sectors of the economy,” said Ruth Obih.

What you need to know about the sessions

Leaders Meeting

The leaders meeting is a closed door session between industry stakeholders and government officials, angel investors and international investors with interest in harnessing local relationships and growing the industry forward.

AWIRE Meeting

The Africa Women in Real Estate (AWIRE) Meeting is a networking platform that fosters growth and economic prosperity for women in real estate.

AWIRE will address factors that affect women’s participation in mortgage finance, interior decoration and property development. They will suggest plans to assist women in leveraging existing tools and resources to promote career development while mentoring upcoming entrepreneurs.

Exhibition

It will give exhibitors the opportunity to meet their target customers, build new clientele base and leverage on the event to create brand visibility and awareness. It will also enable exhibitors increase sales by demonstrating their products and services to interested clients, have direct access to interested buyers and build meaningful relationships with key contacts.

The Conference

The Real Estate Unite 2016 GAPS conference takes place on the 7th of October and features several breakout sessions, where there will be meeting of the key players in Nigerian real estate sector.

The speakers include:

• Babatunde Fashola – Honourable Minister for Power, Works and Housing
• Ayuli Jemide – Lead partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors
• Prof Charles Inyangete – CEO NMRC
• Ronald Chaugoury Jnr. – Vice President South Energyx
• Sonnie Ayere – Founder & CEO Dunn Laren Merrifield group
• Adeniyi Adeyele – Head, real estate finance west Africa Stanbic IBTC and standard bank
• Wale Olaoye – CEO Halogen Security
• Prof Gbenga Nubi – Dean of Estate Management faculty, University of Lagos
• Andrea Geday – MD Elalan
• Mr Hakeem Ogunniran – MD UPDC
• Yemi Idowu – MD AIRCOM
• Anne Rinu – Head, property, Nigeria & West Africa Standard Chartered Bank
• Adeniyi Falade – MD Custodian Pension
• Chukwunonso Ume-Ezeoke – CEO Assist-2-sell properties LTD
• Tola Akinhanmi – Snr Manager Real Estate Finance CIB, West Africa, Stanbic IBTC
• Bolaji Edu – CEO Broll
• Ruth Obih – CEO 3INVEST
• Tosin Ajose – Associate Partner, Detail Commercial Solicitors

They will be discussing the following topics:

• Government gap – focusing on enhancing government performance through effective leadership, education and technology
• Access gap – focusing on enabling access through regulatory reforms
• Private Sector gap – focusing on the real estate market in an economic recession (local solutions to finding cheaper money)

There will also be a collaborative strategy breakout sessions on:

• Retail Strategy
• Office Strategy
• Affordable Housing