{"id":4691,"date":"2025-09-11T15:39:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T15:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thinkmint.ng\/buyrealestate\/?p=4691"},"modified":"2025-09-15T11:13:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T11:13:53","slug":"women-in-real-estate-how-women-are-transforming-real-estate-in-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thinkmint.ng\/buyrealestate\/women-in-real-estate-how-women-are-transforming-real-estate-in-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in Real Estate: How Women Are Transforming Real Estate in\u00a0 Nigeria\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nigeria’s real estate, widely regarded as the most profitable real estate destination\u00a0 in Africa, is frequently\u00a0 touted as \u201cmale-dominated.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, today, Female investors are no longer a rarity in Nigeria\u2019s property market; they are fast becoming an accelerating force.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the persistently low home-ownership rates for women compared to those of men, more Nigerian women are investing, developing, and professionalising real estate activity, helping shift demand, design priorities, and capital flows across cities in Nigeria and internationally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog post, we will throw the spotlight on these real estate amazons in recognition of their efforts toward the growth and development of Nigeria’s property market.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why this matters\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Nigeria\u2019s real estate sector has shown resilience amid macro pressure, and investors are looking for durable assets that hedge inflation and currency risk. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, Nigerian women, driven by rising incomes, fintech access, and community investing, are beginning to claim more of that opportunity, changing not only who buys property but how properties are financed, marketed, and used.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As more women invest, the market benefits: demand diversifies, products improve for family-oriented buyers, and new capital sources (women\u2019s investment groups, female-led funds) emerge. Closing the gender gap isn\u2019t just equitable, it unlocks new pools of capital and consumer demand for the sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Market reports show the real estate sector\u2019s resilience and opportunity in urban hubs, making women\u2019s incoming capital an important part of future growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Top Women Shaping the Nigerian Property Market.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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  1. Imelda Usoro Olaoye<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    An award-winning real estate consultant, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Imelda Usoro-Olaoye is one of the women redefining Nigeria\u2019s property market. With a sharp mix of business acumen and digital innovation, she is helping thousands of Nigerians access affordable housing. <\/span>Imelda\u2019s journey blends international education with bold entrepreneurship.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0After earning her <\/span>MBA from Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University)<\/b> and further honing skills in <\/span>digital marketing, PR, and business management<\/b>, she returned to Nigeria determined to solve one of the country\u2019s most pressing issues: the housing gap.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Based on this vision in 2020, she founded <\/span>Thinkmint Nigeria<\/b><\/a>, an award-winning real estate firm with offices in Lagos and Estonia.<\/span><\/p>\n


    \n<\/span>Under Imelda\u2019s leadership, Thinkmint Nigeria adopted a <\/span>    low-entry fee and flexible payment plans<\/b><\/a> that have made affordable housing accessible to many Nigerians.\u00a0 Thinkmint Nigeria has also partnered with housing funds like the\u00a0 Family Homes Fund.\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    In 2021, Imelda launched REDA (Real Estate Discussions and Awards)<\/strong>,<\/a> which has since grown into one of\u00a0 Nigeria\u2019s most prestigious annual real estate gatherings.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Imelda Usoro-Olaoye is also the co-founder and Chief Business Officer of\u00a0 <\/a><\/span>Green Mortgage<\/b>, Nigeria\u2019s first fully online mortgage platform, which is set to revolutionise Nigerians’ home financing. <\/span><\/p>\n

    For her outstanding contribution to the real estate and overall business, Imelda has been honoured with numerous awards, notably with the <\/span>T.I.M.E. Special Recognition Award (2024)<\/b>,\u00a0 Time Magazine 40 under 40.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Beyond Real estate, Imelda Usoro Olaoye is actively involved in philanthropy; her NGO<\/span> Business Women Hub <\/span><\/a>is an organisation committed to empowering women in business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    <\/b>2. <\/b>Udo Okonjo<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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    Udo Okonjo is a force to reckon with in Nigeria\u2019s luxury property space.\u00a0 She is the founder and CEO of Fine and Country West Africa, <\/strong>a brand synonymous with prestige, excellence, and trust in high-end real estate marketing and consulting.<\/p>\n

    For over a decade, she has carved a niche in the industry, connecting discerning buyers with premium properties in some of Lagos\u2019s most exclusive neighborhoods, such as Ikoyi, Banana Island, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, and Oniru<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Her firm specializes in advisory services, luxury residential sales and leasing, and strategic marketing for prestige acquisitions, positioning Fine and Country as the go-to for luxury real estate in West Africa.<\/p>\n

    Before her foray into real estate, Udo trained as a lawyer. She earned her LLB from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka<\/strong>, followed by an LLM from King\u2019s College, London<\/strong>. Her global outlook is further sharpened by executive certifications from world-class institutions, including Cambridge Judge Business School<\/strong>, Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley)<\/strong>, and the Said Business School (University of Oxford)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Known for her dynamism and visionary approach, Udo has become one of the most recognizable names in Nigeria\u2019s property market, championing professionalism, transparency, and innovation.<\/p>\n

    3. Saadiya Aminu<\/a>,\u00a0 Managing Director & CEO, Urban Shelter Limited<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Saadiya Aminu is the driving force behind Urban Shelter, a real estate heavyweight that spans Abuja, Lagos, Niger, and Kaduna. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she leads with vision, resilience, and a passion for making quality homes accessible to Nigerians across all income levels.<\/p>\n


    Saadiya’s story begins in public service, as a technical assistant at Nigeria\u2019s Debt Management Office, where she helped shape policy and developed a strong foundation in finance and governance. Armed with a Bachelor of Economics from Brunel University<\/strong> and an MSc in Finance & Development from SOAS, London<\/strong>, she brought sharp analytical skills into a sector more often steered by engineering and architecture backgrounds.<\/p>\n

    At Urban Shelter, Saadiya climbed the ranks: from Senior Manager in the Chairman\u2019s Office to Chief Operating Officer, then becoming MD\/CEO. Along the way, in 2015, she led a change-management drive that repositioned the company, strengthening systems, sharpening strategy, boosting people leadership, and raising standards.<\/p>\n

    4. Olajumoke Akinwunmi, Architect, Investor & Development Visionary<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Olajumoke Akinwunmi is an accomplished architect, development manager, and investment adviser with over 25 years of experience spanning design, real estate, finance, and public service. She is the co-founder of Alitheia Capital<\/strong>,<\/a> a powerhouse investment and advisory firm that channels capital into high-impact sectors. Under her co-leadership, the firm has promoted financial inclusion<\/strong><\/a> through a financial services fund, driven environmental sustainability with a clean energy fund, and currently manages a gender-focused SME fund that fuels growth for women-owned and women-led businesses.<\/p>\n

    Olajumoke Akinwunmi also served as the Managing Director, Family Homes Fund,<\/strong> a \u20a6500 billion federal government housing programme created to stimulate economic activity through large-scale housing delivery. Olajumoke Akinwunmi consistently demonstrates a vision that blends design, finance, governance, and sustainability. She exemplifies how women leaders are not just participating in Nigeria\u2019s property sector but reshaping it for long-term impact.<\/p>\n

    5. Olajumoke Adenowo, Principal Architect & Founder, AD Consulting<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Olajumoke Adenowo<\/a> is often described as Nigeria\u2019s \u201cstarchitect\u201d,\u00a0 a celebrated architect, intellectual, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence spans far beyond design. As the Principal Architect at AD Consulting, <\/strong><\/a>the firm she founded in 1994, she has spearheaded some of the country\u2019s most iconic projects for leading global and local brands.<\/p>\n

    Olajumoke\u2019s journey into architecture began with brilliance at a young age. She enrolled at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University)<\/strong> at just 14, and by 19 had earned her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Architecture<\/strong>, followed by a Master\u2019s degree with distinction<\/strong> at 23<\/p>\n

    She cut her professional teeth at Towry Coker Associates<\/strong> and later at Femi Majekodunmi Associates<\/strong>, where she contributed to landmark projects including the Federal Ministry of Lands in Abuja<\/strong>. But her ambitions soon pushed her toward entrepreneurship, and in 1994, she founded AD Consulting<\/strong>, today one of Nigeria\u2019s most respected architecture and interior design firms.<\/p>\n

    Over the past three decades, Olajumoke has overseen more than 100 completed projects<\/strong>, ranging from institutional buildings and office complexes to healthcare facilities and luxury residences. Her client list reads like a who\u2019s who of international and Nigerian powerhouses, including Coca-Cola, L\u2019Or\u00e9al, GTBank, Access Bank, and The Nigerian Stock\u00a0<\/strong>Exchange.<\/strong><\/span> In<\/span>\u00a02019, Forbes Woman Africa<\/em> named her one of the continent\u2019s most powerful women in business<\/p>\n

    6. Jamila Mohammed-Faniyi \u2014 Managing Director, M & E Kaiser | Executive Director, Construction Kaiser<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    Jamila Mohammed-Faniyi is a powerhouse in Nigeria’s construction and services sectors. With two decades of on-the-ground experience, she leads M & E Kaiser (specializing in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-safety installations) and plays a key leadership role at Construction Kaiser, carrying forward a legacy of quality, innovation, and local expertise.<\/p>\n

    Background<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Jamila\u2019s journey began with a solid academic grounding: a Bachelor of Science in Building<\/strong> from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She then sharpened her skills with a Master\u2019s in Construction Management<\/strong> from the University of Lagos. Always curious, always growing, she also attended Harvard Business School\u2019s Building Businesses in Turbulent Times<\/em> (BBTT) program, among other local and international training.<\/p>\n

    She joined the Kaiser group in 2005, stepping into roles of increasing responsibility: from Planning Engineer, to Project Manager, then Operations Manager. Today, she is both Managing Director of M & E Kaiser Limited<\/strong> and Executive Director at Construction Kaiser Ltd.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Jamila is known as a change leader<\/em> and BIM (Building Information Modeling) enthusiast, pushing for digitization and modern processes in an industry often slow to adapt.<\/p>\n

    She cares deeply about people \u2014 not just projects. Early in her career, she managed a small team of two; today, she leads a division with dozens, fostering mentorship, local talent development, and team growth. She has spoken publicly about the importance of ethical operations, quality, and not cutting corners on standards.<\/p>\n

    Jamila is also active on industry fronts: she sits on professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). From speaking engagements to being part of juries (for example, the BIM Africa Innovation Awards), she uses her voice to push the built environment forward.<\/p>\n

    7. Tope Mark-Odigie,\u00a0 CEO, REB360 | Media Personality | Women in Real Estate Advocate<\/b><\/p>\n

    Tope Mark-Odigie wears many hats:\u00a0 entrepreneur, TV host, real estate developer, and mentor to women in business. As the CEO of <\/span><\/i>REB360 Limited<\/i><\/b>, she helps people build wealth and achieve financial freedom through property investment. Beyond real estate, she is known to millions as a co-host of <\/span><\/i>TVC\u2019s award-winning breakfast show Your View<\/i><\/b>, where she champions nation-building and women\u2019s empowerment.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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    Tope\u2019s entrepreneurial journey began early at the age of 21 when she founded Ewabela Beauty<\/b>, laying the foundation for a life defined by leadership and enterprise. Over the years, she expanded her influence into media and later real estate, combining her passion for people with her drive for financial empowerment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n