ABUJA– The Chief Executive Officer of Wardiere Oakmount, Kunle Ilori-Diamond, has described Nigeria as one of the most dynamic real estate markets in Africa.
Ilori-Diamond stated that though challenging, Nigeria has exceptionally rewards for those who understand its nuances.
The real estate expert made this known in an exclusive phone interview with The News Ville, adding that Nigeria is one of the few places in the world where real demand still clearly outpaces supply.
He added that despite working in an environment shaped by inflationary pressure, currency volatility, and cautious capital flows, his company was able to deliberately shift focus from aggressive expansion to value creation, asset quality, and long-term positioning.
“Despite the headwinds, we closed the year stronger, with leaner operations, better-structured transactions, and deeper trust from clients and investors.
“In many respects, 2025 separated speculative operators from true professionals, and that distinction worked in our favour”, he added
Ilori-Diamond, who recently returned to the country stated that the with the rapid increasing population of Nigeria, rapid urbanisation, a growing middle class, and massive infrastructure gaps has created a commercial opportunities for those who can tap into it
“Here, I am aware that capital does not struggle to find use; it struggles to find credible operators. When you bring structure, compliance, proper documentation, and execution discipline, you immediately stand out. We’ve seen this firsthand.
“Projects that would take years to gain traction elsewhere achieve uptake quickly here because people are actively looking for solutions; homes, offices, warehouses, hospitality, and income-yielding assets.
“Returns are also very real. Entry prices are still relatively low compared to peer markets, while rental yields and capital appreciation remain strong when projects are correctly located and priced.
“Add to that a young, trainable workforce, improving digital systems, and increasing government focus on infrastructure, and the picture becomes clearer.
“Nigeria is not a market for spectators or shortcuts. It is a market for investors who understand execution and risk pricing.
“For those people, the opportunities are measurable, bankable, and already happening Since my return, the priority has been institutionalising our operations, strengthening governance frameworks, and aligning our structures with global best practices. Rather than chasing volume, we focused on credibility, systems, and sustainability.
“The market response has been encouraging, particularly from Nigerians in the diaspora and institutional partners seeking credible platforms. The business is doing well; not because the terrain is easy, but because we approach it with patience, data, and integrity”, he added
