The Refined Magazine is out!

The Fine and Country West Africa signature real estate magazine now available for download, features exciting real estate intelligence with a recap of key events in the past months. This Refined edition is focused on ‘’Taking Nigeria to the World’’ by spotlighting the megacity Lagos. Lagos will be 50 in May and we are convinced the Lagos Success Story must be taken beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Having earned its place as one of the most important cities in Africa, Lagos mirrors the challenges and the growth dynamics of African cities from a comparatively positive standpoint. The dynamics and challenges range from managing mega slums alongside mega city, Lagos being the first choice destination for the Fortune 500, Lagos holding its place as one of the 100 Most Resilient Cities in the world and of course, the future of Lagos were all painstaking analysed in the Refined Magazine editorial.

We at Fine and Country are happy to be a part of the Lagos Success Story hence, the Refined Investors Series holding in May, in the United Kingdom, is targeted at bringing Nigerians in the diaspora to come invest in Nigerian real estate in general, and Lagos real estate in particular. The need to invest now is critical going by the prevailing matrices and their interpretations as intelligent real estate indices. These indices are reflected in the choice of properties listed in the Refined Magazine.

Prominent amongst the featured properties is the Oakwood Residences on Cooper Road Ikoyi. These luxury residences comprise contemporary three bedroom and 5 bedroom apartments with a panoramic view of the lush Ikoyi skylines. The build quality and finish are the top of pack and the price point is relatively going 20% lower than market value. The window of opportunity of buying at the current price closes within a couple of days.

Call Ifueko on 08096000024 to buy an apartment!

Download a copy of the Refined Magazine here.

Real estate typically stimulates fond emotions, and for great Real Estate, the emotions are a lot more profound. We all honestly love great real estate because it delivers value, both aesthetically and functionally. This photograph of Oakwood Residences Ikoyi does not do justice to it when compared to what it is in reality. This is because this property ticks all the right boxes which rarely happens, by the way. Let’s see some of these boxes The Oakwood Residences ticked rightly;

•  Location
•  Pricing
•  Quality build
•  Flexibility in payment terms
•  Functionality
• Aesthetics
• Creative spacing

Now, top all of these up with the Fine and Country West Africa seal of guaranteed title. One would honestly, be unsure of what else an astute investor would be looking for. This property is great for those looking for the convenience factor, scaling down and moving from congested Lekki axis or mainland or for diaspora Nigerian buyers wanting security in title and peace of mind. This explains why we are sold out mainly to owner occupiers and diaspora investors- with only 2 apartments available.

To initiate your first step to owning a luxurious apartment in the upscale Ikoyi neighbourhood, call;

Ifueko on 08096000024 or Bukola on 08096000027

The megacity Lagos, will clock 50 in May, having earned its place as arguably the most important state in the country and the 4^th largest economy in Africa, a home for all and a land of opportunities where dreams are made and fulfilled. Being the technology, investment and economic hub of Nigeria, Lagos has taken the mantra, “Centre of Excellence”, to a reasonable level. According to a KPMG report, African’s cities are fast emerging as centres of entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and invention and Lagos is leading in these areas.

Lagos also recently attained the status of one of the 100 most Resilient Cities in the world. This means Lagos is more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. Lagos endures and survives in spite of the challenges that come with urbanization and migration.

Governor Ambode, the state governor, had mentioned at the 14^th Prof. Pat Utomi led, Annual Lecture and Symposium organised by the Centre for Value in Leadership, that 85 new people migrate to Lagos every hour. As one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and one of the leading destinations for Fortune 500 companies, with over 14 of them already in Lagos, there is no doubt that urbanisation is a key driver for economic development and prosperity.

THE CHALLENGE OF GROWTH. MEGA CITY VERSUS MEGA SLUM?

There are however challenges and opportunities in the rapid growth. These challenges range from inclusive growth – Urban cities have a responsibility to focus on realising the potential of these cities as inclusive and resilient centres of economic growth and job creation with a critical but often ignored question: “Who are we building the cities for?  Secondly, the infrastructure deficit is also an obvious area that presents an opportunity for forward thinking governments to partner with the private sector to deliver world class infrastructure ranging from transportation, power, sanitation/waste management to softer infrastructure including health/medical, educational and recreational facilities. Population growth typically outpaces the infrastructure growth which often needs to be addressed against the backdrop of limited or dwindling revenues. Thirdly, informal settlements and unregulated urban growth especially in young cities as is in clear evidence all around Lagos, constitutes a threat for both the settlers and residents.

As highlighted above, these present clear opportunities but also a major challenge to the key stakeholders to be proactive in tackling the current needs while being visionary about building the future.

THE FUTURE MEGA CITY

Lagos recently flagged-off the Ambode-led Massive Infrastructural Plan, as it seeks to adopt models of public-private partnerships to fill infrastructural gaps   . The Lagos City Initiative also signed an MOU with the Dubai Smart City to create the world’s first carbon neutral city- The Lagos Smart City. Other significant projects in the state are the 4^thMainland bridge project, Light-up Lagos, the Lekki deep seaport, Lekki axis airport, the Dangote refinery and Lagos’ fast rising software developers’ hub profile. The mass housing scheme, the massive reform in waste and sanitation management system and structured transportation system befitting of a megacity; which explains the drastic establishment of massive lay-bys, rehabilitation of inner-city roads and the construction of flyovers in different parts of the state, are strong indices showing the reinvention taking place in Lagos State.

Lagos is a prime example of a proactive and fast developing megacity. Despite the challenges peculiar to a developing megacity like Lagos, a vast pool of opportunities, however, exist as very low hanging fruit, for the discerning.

TAKING LAGOS TO THE WORLD OF DIASPORA NIGERIANS

Fine and Country West Africa is taking the lead in attracting Nigerians in the diaspora (with an estimated $21-35billion in remittance level at 2016)  to invest in real estate in Lagos. Lagos receives the highest percentage of the remittance made into the Nigerian economy.

In light of this, the forthcoming Refined Investors Series UK, themed ‘’Taking Lagos to the World’’, holding on the 15^th and 16^th of June, 2017, in London, is billed to provide a platform for showcasing Lagos Real Estate opportunities to foreign investors in general and Nigerians in the diaspora in particular. Stakeholders from all key segments of the value chain will be available, to inform and present, through conferences and exhibition, various offerings to Nigerians in the diaspora.

As Lagos hits the big 50, we hope that the continuing transformational leadership of the state will strengthen its system to help create more transparent building approval processes, and marketable titles to inspire confidence in investors. This is the bedrock of creating sustainable wealth, and the winning strategy to tap the true potential of Lagos and other emerging Nigerian cities.  The future of Nigerian cities may well appear bright if we follow through with sustainable governance, solid institutions and a culture of transformational leadership.

Udo Okonjo, LL.M (Lond)
CEO/Vice Chair Fine and Country W.A.
A member of the Oxford Real Estate Society

The megacity Lagos, will clock 50 in May, having earned its place as arguably the most important state in the country and the 4^th largest economy in Africa, a home for all and a land of opportunities where dreams are made and fulfilled. Being the technology, investment and economic hub of Nigeria, Lagos has taken the mantra, “Centre of Excellence”, to a reasonable level. According to a KPMG report, African’s cities are fast emerging as centres of entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and invention and Lagos is leading in these areas.

Lagos also recently attained the status of one of the 100 most Resilient Cities in the world. This means Lagos is more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. Lagos endures and survives in spite of the challenges that come with urbanization and migration.

Governor Ambode, the state governor, had mentioned at the 14^th Prof. Pat Utomi led, Annual Lecture and Symposium organised by the Centre for Value in Leadership, that 85 new people migrate to Lagos every hour. As one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and one of the leading destinations for Fortune 500 companies, with over 14 of them already in Lagos, there is no doubt that urbanisation is a key driver for economic development and prosperity.

THE CHALLENGE OF GROWTH. MEGA CITY VERSUS MEGA SLUM?

There are however challenges and opportunities in the rapid growth. These challenges range from inclusive growth – Urban cities have a responsibility to focus on realising the potential of these cities as inclusive and resilient centres of economic growth and job creation with a critical but often ignored question: “Who are we building the cities for?  Secondly, the infrastructure deficit is also an obvious area that presents an opportunity for forward thinking governments to partner with the private sector to deliver world class infrastructure ranging from transportation, power, sanitation/waste management to softer infrastructure including health/medical, educational and recreational facilities. Population growth typically outpaces the infrastructure growth which often needs to be addressed against the backdrop of limited or dwindling revenues. Thirdly, informal settlements and unregulated urban growth especially in young cities as is in clear evidence all around Lagos, constitutes a threat for both the settlers and residents.

As highlighted above, these present clear opportunities but also a major challenge to the key stakeholders to be proactive in tackling the current needs while being visionary about building the future.

THE FUTURE MEGA CITY

Lagos recently flagged-off the Ambode-led Massive Infrastructural Plan, as it seeks to adopt models of public-private partnerships to fill infrastructural gaps   . The Lagos City Initiative also signed an MOU with the Dubai Smart City to create the world’s first carbon neutral city- The Lagos Smart City. Other significant projects in the state are the 4^thMainland bridge project, Light-up Lagos, the Lekki deep seaport, Lekki axis airport, the Dangote refinery and Lagos’ fast rising software developers’ hub profile. The mass housing scheme, the massive reform in waste and sanitation management system and structured transportation system befitting of a megacity; which explains the drastic establishment of massive lay-bys, rehabilitation of inner-city roads and the construction of flyovers in different parts of the state, are strong indices showing the reinvention taking place in Lagos State.

Lagos is a prime example of a proactive and fast developing megacity. Despite the challenges peculiar to a developing megacity like Lagos, a vast pool of opportunities, however, exist as very low hanging fruit, for the discerning.

TAKING LAGOS TO THE WORLD OF DIASPORA NIGERIANS

Fine and Country West Africa is taking the lead in attracting Nigerians in the diaspora (with an estimated $21-35billion in remittance level at 2016)  to invest in real estate in Lagos. Lagos receives the highest percentage of the remittance made into the Nigerian economy.

In light of this, the forthcoming Refined Investors Series UK, themed ‘’Taking Lagos to the World’’, holding on the 15^th and 16^th of June, 2017, in London, is billed to provide a platform for showcasing Lagos Real Estate opportunities to foreign investors in general and Nigerians in the diaspora in particular. Stakeholders from all key segments of the value chain will be available, to inform and present, through conferences and exhibition, various offerings to Nigerians in the diaspora.

As Lagos hits the big 50, we hope that the continuing transformational leadership of the state will strengthen its system to help create more transparent building approval processes, and marketable titles to inspire confidence in investors. This is the bedrock of creating sustainable wealth, and the winning strategy to tap the true potential of Lagos and other emerging Nigerian cities.  The future of Nigerian cities may well appear bright if we follow through with sustainable governance, solid institutions and a culture of transformational leadership.

Udo Okonjo, LL.M (Lond)
CEO/Vice Chair Fine and Country W.A.
A member of the Oxford Real Estate Society