what many property developers are going through now!

• LAGOS Property Player, SIMON ADOZI

Dr Simon Adozi, is a real estate developer. He is also an Investment Coach and a Global thought leader. He is also an inspirational speaker with a passion to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.

Dr. Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in Soil and Water Engineering and an MBA in Entrepreneurship Management from the prestigious Lagos Business School.

He is the Chairman of Eklisia Holdings and founder of the top rated luxury real estate development company in Nigeria, Adozillion Homes and Realty. It real estate development company on the mission to redefine TRUST in the luxury real estate space.

Adozillion Homes and Realty was founded by Dr. Simon, who is widely known for its audacious projects; like the luxurious apartments in the most sought after neighborhood in Lagos, The Mufasa Apartments Ikate-Lekki, Monte Carlo Resorts and Residences and Eco-Value Garden City Epe.

A few weeks back, this young developer spoke with City People’s ISAAC ABIMBADE, (08155107955) about the passion for real estate and what stands him out as a young developer. Below are excerpts of the interview.

How has it been as one of the youngest property developers in Lagos?

It hasn’t been easy but with Tenacity and Discipline to stay focused, we are where we are today. There are issues but we try to resolve them. Whether it’s regulatory bodies, or inflation. Although, real estate is not going into a swift phase but for some of us who understand the business of real estate we are still weathering the storm.

A lot happened this year in the Lagos real estate sector. We have those who bought land and later discovered that the land has another C of O. Some houses were demolished as well. How did you manage to escape many of these challenges sir?

In the business of Land and Title, you can actually envisage what may or might happen or all the problems that will happen in it but the willingness of both the regulatory bodies and individuals to sit down and find a common ground, that is what makes sense. So every time we have these challenges we always reach out to the regulatory bodies. Revoking C of O might not be the best thing. Repaying for a C of O can be done. The government can penalise but they shouldn’t revoke C of O. Cities are developed by individuals. In a nutshell, we are looking forward to a better Lagos and every hand must be on deck to make sure this is achieved.

What led you into the real estate sector?

It is the same issue that we are facing that led me into real estate. You will find out that, you give some developers money and 5, 6 years down the line, you will find it hard to get a property that you paid for. It was really a challenge because I have been in this industry for a while. It’s now 7 years. 5 of those years, I was marketing properties and I still do together with developing. I understand the market and the challenges therein.

Another thing that led me into it, is the fact that I wanted to do things differently. We wanted to chart a new course, rebuild the confidence of the clients when it comes to business in real estate.

How many housing estates do you have for sale presently. Tell us about them?

Yes! I am not so particular about having 10 thousand estates at the same time. I’m very deep when it comes to doing my due diligence. Go to NTDA, bureau of land, to Surveyor General’s office to make sure we are buying the right property, and also ask my lawyer to do the due diligence. And all these have helped us. Out of 3 estates I have, only two that are landed properties. The remaining 1 has just buildings. I have tried to stay away from doing a whole lot. Any estate that is above 20 acres, I don’t go for it because the more it gets the more problems it tends to bring.

What can you tell people in the diaspora who are scared to invest in the real estate sector here  because of the fear of being duped and many other issues in the sector?

In every sector some people will want to rubbish it while some people do it with all passion. What I will tell them to do is that they should take their time. They should ask questions. Look for those who are credible like us. And buy from people you know that will deliver. And that is what we have positioned ourselves to be able to do over two years now.

Tell us some of your products(estates)?

We have Mufase apartments. It’s a block of apartments for people to live. The other is Monte Carlo Lagos. Resort and Residences. That one is in Epe. It’s in Epe GRA as they now call it. That’s a landed property. We have another one that speaks of greenery and nature and that is the Eco value Garden City. Those are the 3 products we have been able to put together for the benefit of our clients.

What is your take on the current tribal war that is affecting the Lagos real estate market?

Nobody should create that division. Nobody should go to that area. We must put Tribalism and bias behind us. There is no tribal war, it’s just people finding a way to peacefully co-exist that matter. So there is no tribal war. I’m sure when you do the right thing, we won’t be talking of tribal war.