As the emerging face of real estate business in Nigeria, for his determination to be a solution provider in that industry, a pacesetter who has set out to be disruptive in the sector using technology as a critical tool in housing development for the benefit of Nigerians and for his commitment and dedication towards the development of Anambra state, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo is ANAMBRA PERSON OF THE WEEK.
The story of real estate in Nigeria cannot be complete without acknowledging the efforts and great roles of Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, also known as ‘Lagos biggest landlord’. From a very humble background, the Ojoto real estate mogul, in the quest for survival, has received his own fair share of life’s ups and downs. Today, he seems to be living his purpose considering the level of his contributions as one of the bright minds solving infrastructural deficit in Nigeria. He is an inspiration to anybody who believes that his background is an impediment to his success in life.
Kennedy forayed into real estate with practically nothing, but his first big break in a real estate transaction opened his eyes to the massive possibilities in the business and triggered his interest. Incidentally, it was a time of massive property boom in Oniru in Lagos. The land in Oniru had been signed over to families, who didn’t have money to build, yet their lease of 30 years was running out. Amid the crisis, Okonkwo approached some of the families and got 22 of the lease. He built four units of room and parlour self-contain apartments. It was a very successful project with a huge financial reward. That boosted his confidence to venture into other real estate deals.
Today, Kennedy Okonkwo’s Nedcomoaks Group has blossomed beyond imagination and has developed several projects such as Kiryan Court, Dream Court IV, Crystal Dreams Apartment, Crystal Court, Sandton Court and the Victoria Crest Estates. In 2019, as Nedcomoaks launched the maiden edition of the Victoria Crest Property Festival where young Nigerians got home ownership opportunities, Okonkwo unveiled the company’s joint-ownership property platform that affords Nigerians in the Diaspora investment opportunities.
Only recently, Dr. Okonkwo launched the first ever Solar powered estate in Nigeria, Citadel Views Estate which is designed with cutting-edge scalable solar solutions that let each household get its own power while still being connected to local grid and gas-powered backup generators. The result is an aspirational home environment where residents can excel without having to worry about high service charges.
Kennedy’s exploits is not only in Lagos, he is a firm believer of the ‘Akulueuno philosophy’. An ongoing development of an ultra-modern sports complex in Ojoto Town, Anambra state, is one among several empowerment and developmental intervention that the community has received from Okonkwo. Two weeks ago, he led some Anambra business moguls to seek strategic partnership with the State Government across key business and industrial areas ranging from Real Estate, Entertainment and Haulage where they donated ₦100,000,000 to help the government fight insecurity in the state which they say is a major hindrance to the socio economic development of the State. To him, with the right leadership, Anambra is ripe to benefit from the multi billion naira real estate industry in the country. He believes Anambra is the next Lagos and often says “what is good for Lagos is good for Anambra”. Kennedy’s visit to Anambra with friends implies that the state is the next investment destination. Those groups are shakers of the economy and Anambra will feel it big soon.
Dr. Okonkwo has equally been featured by Forbes Africa as a financier of infrastructure development in Africa. He is recognized for having contributed to the development of the Nigerian economy by providing employment and shelter to Nigerians.
Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo has reached the stars.
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