In a feature published in March 2026, Nigeria’s real estate sector is profiled through the women who have built, led, and scaled some of its most visible companies, reflecting a structural shift in leadership within one of the country’s fastest-growing industries.
The report highlights that these women are not symbolic figures but operational leaders driving housing delivery, investment strategy, and market expansion across major urban centres.
Their companies typically have over a decade of market presence, national project footprints, and measurable contributions to housing supply and infrastructure development.
Among those featured is Mercy Torkwase Iyortyer, identified as co-founder and chief executive of Zihabit, representing a new generation of proptech-driven real estate solutions focused on accessibility and digital property investment.
Olajumoke Adenowo appears as a central figure whose firm, AD Consulting, has shaped high-profile architectural and development projects, reinforcing the intersection between design, infrastructure, and commercial real estate.
Also profiled is Udo Okonjo, who leads Fine & Country West Africa, a company positioned within the premium real estate segment, linking Nigerian property markets to global investors and high-net-worth clients.
Olayinka Ogunsulire is recognized for directing large-scale development projects through Orange Island Development Company, contributing to urban expansion and structured residential communities.
The list includes Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu, whose company has expanded beyond Nigeria into international markets, with a business model centered on real estate investment education, diaspora engagement, and wealth-building through property ownership.
Alaba Alozie and Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade represent firms focused on residential development and property marketing, addressing both mid-market housing demand and structured real estate investment channels.
At the institutional level, Saadiya Aminu stands out for leading Urban Shelter Limited, a long-established development company with thousands of completed residential and commercial units across multiple Nigerian states, reflecting scale, continuity, and operational depth in the sector.
The broader framing of the report positions these women as central to the evolution of Nigeria’s real estate industry, which has grown into a multi-trillion-naira economic pillar driven by urbanization, housing deficits, and rising investment flows.
Their leadership is associated with stronger operational discipline, diversified development models, and increased participation in both local and international property markets.
1. Mercy Torkwase Iyortyer
2. Olajumoke AdenowoUdo
3. Okonjo Olayinka
4. Ogunsulire Grace
5. Ofure Ibhakhomu
6. Alaba Alozie
7. Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade
8. Saadiya Aminu
Image Credit: Nairametrics
Source: Nairametrics
