Opatola: FIABCI-Nigeria Must Deepen Government Engagement, Grow Membership

Akin Opatola, the former President of FIABCI-Nigeria, has advised the organization's new leadership to build upon the achievements of the outgoing executive, deepen engagement with government, and expand membership. Opatola, who led the chapter for two years, aimed to increase visibility for FIABCI-Nigeria despite its long history, as its activities were not widely known outside the professional circle.

The hosting of the FIABCI World Congress in Barcelona enabled the Nigerian chapter to connect with policymakers and international real estate stakeholders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Defence, who represented the President. These connections strengthened the relationship between FIABCI-Nigeria and government officials, emphasizing that real estate development is an interconnected process that requires collaboration between the private sector and government.

Opatola also highlighted the value of FIABCI's international network in providing Nigerian professionals with access to global best practices, which could then be incorporated into local policy discussions. The organization plans to visit Taichung, Taiwan, alongside officials from the Federal Ministry of Housing and the Lagos State Ministry of Lands to study the country's land administration system.

This move aims to facilitate a dialogue between Nigerian and Taiwanese officials on land administration and best practices. Additionally, Opatola mentioned the UN Spring Symposium organized by FIABCI in March, where four officials from the Federal Ministry of Housing participated and presented their findings on affordable housing to the Minister of Housing.

In his tenure, Opatola also noted the Lagos State Real Estate Marketplace, which invited FIABCI-Nigeria to attract international participants, receiving acknowledgment from the Lagos State Governor. However, he acknowledged the limitations of a two-year leadership cycle and suggested extending it to three or four years to allow for more substantial achievements.

Opatola also recognized the need for FIABCI-Nigeria to have a larger membership base, currently standing at fewer than 80 members despite its half-century existence. He warned that frequent leadership changes could lead to difficulties in filling executive positions and urged the incoming leadership to maintain the momentum, increase membership, and continue strengthening the organization's role as a bridge between real estate professionals, government, and the international community.