A bold new vision for Africa’s urban future was unveiled this week as Nigeria played host to the 75th FIABCI World Real Estate Congress, attracting global heavyweights in real estate, policy, and infrastructure. From June 9 to 13, Lagos became a melting pot of ideas, innovation, and investment, welcoming professionals from over 70 countries to explore one powerful theme: Global Real Estate Renaissance.
At the heart of this transformation stood MTN Nigeria, not just as a technology provider, but as a bold visionary championing smart connectivity and redefining what real estate means in a digital-first world. Their partnership with FIABCI, the International Real Estate Federation, was a strategic leap towards building smarter, more inclusive communities.
In a compelling presentation, MTN’s General Manager, Broadband Sales & Customer Management, Grace Henshaw, introduced Fibre X, the telco’s high-speed, low-latency broadband service designed for real estate developers, smart estates, and homeowners. “The future of real estate is digital,” Henshaw said. “Fibre X is not just about fast internet. It’s about transforming communities into connected, future-ready ecosystems.”
Her unveiling of Fibre X highlighted benefits such as increasing estate market value, enabling smart home living, bridging rural-urban digital gaps, stimulating local economic growth, supporting 4K streaming, remote work, and immersive entertainment. This aligns with the event’s opening address delivered by H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), who described the gathering as more than ceremonial, “This Congress is a reticence that awakens ideas, technologies, and partnerships that go beyond constructing buildings, it’s about enhancing the dignity and quality of human life.”
Notable figures in attendance included the Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Hon. Commissioner for Commerce, Barr. Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, Special Adviser to the Governor, Lagos State on Housing; Frank Otti, Founder, Spec Homes Realtor; Korede Ademola-Adeniyi, Executive Director, Alternative Bank; Frank Okosun, Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Knight Frank Nigeria and top FIABCI members from around the globe, reinforcing the event’s international significance and local pride.
In addition to technical sessions covering Nigeria’s real estate opportunities and infrastructure breakthroughs like the Lekki Deep Seaport, the Congress served as a platform for MTN to foster strategic collaborations. Participants were encouraged to “co-create smart districts” powered by MTN Fibre X, with exclusive discounts offered to FIABCI attendees.
