Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Afia Construction & Afia Properties Limited. In this interview, the entrepreneurer speaks on his partnership with the Oyo State Government on housing and infrastructural projects.
CAN you tell us about your project and what brought you back to Nigeria?
After 22 years in the United Kingdom (UK), I believed and was convinced that I have reached to the peak of my career. Although I was not around for a long time in Nigeria, yet I never disconnected from home and things happening in Nigeria. I was coming around regularly till I decided it’s time to come back home and use my knowledge and expertise I have gathered over the years overseas to also cash in on the ongoing development in our state, Oyo State. It was a particular situation that really irked my decision, where on one of my visits around 2018 for holidays, this issue of the late Governor Ajimobi with the Olubadan over the crown’s elevation of the high chief as an Oba. As, it was then, he must have meetings with the Mogajis for the smooth landing of the process. It was on the issue that I had to stay back due to my participation. After the whole process, I decided to stay back and contribute my own quota in developing my state.
How did you come about this place;the Lateef Oyelade GRA and Afia Construction?
Luckily for me, I was born into a construction family. My father was a construction engineer. So for me it was an inbuilt thing for the onset. That was why I channeled my course of study towards that line. Due to my versatility and tract record on previous projects I have handled, I got the access to develop this expanse of land which I believe will add economic value to the state’s revenue interns of taxes . As you can see we have two projects going on here, the Afia apartments solely for Afia construction and the Lateef GRA which we are doing in partnership with the Oyo State Government.
What was the reason for the partnership with the state government?
We have a visionary leader in the person of Engr Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo state, whom I call the Awolowo of our time. He is a change agent, and a game changer like Awolowo. So he would definitely want to work with people he believes can help him achieve this change in Oyo state for a better and well planned state through various policies reform in different aspects.
It is structured to bring notable and laudable development , because we at Afia stand for the kind of change the governor seeks and craves. As you can see, they have the land,but no funds to develop it. That was how we came in for the LOGRA partnership apart from Afia apartment.
Most times partnership with state goes awry, how would you work to avoid such?
We already have modalities and signed contracts that we follow. Our own is to make sure we use the best materials to work and up with a masterpieces. And moreover, there is no hidden or fronting for government officials. It is an open project to anyone who can afford it; outright sales and you get every document accrued to you after completion of payment. Commencement date was August 2023 and delivery date will be in December 2024.
Considering the fluctuation of the Naira and economic challenges, will the date be achieved?
Yes, it’s achievable. We are working earnestly in spite of the challenges which is risky for us, but we are taking it and are guided with measures we have worked out to manage it. We will deliver on the fixed date. As you can see for yourself, there are completed houses already fully paid for and the owners waiting to move in after commissioning.
What’s your assessment of Governor SeyiMakinde administration so far?
For me, he has really made a lot of improvements. Like I said earlier, he is the Awo of our time. He has done well especially in the aspect of infrastructure. If you go every- where, you will see massive rehabilitation of roads going on and already completed ones. Check out the Ibadan circular road that has open another avenue for income generation for the state. I give kudos to him. We look forward to more positive projects
Can we know more about you?
I am Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem. I’m a king in making, I’m an Ibadan – Mogaji representing my family royal kingship line to the Olubadan throne and l am the M.D/CEO of Afia Construction &Afia Properties Ltd.
I was born in Ibadan, but at a stage in my life, I moved to the United Kingdom. I was there for 23 years where I had my university education in engineering related courses from Greenwich University, Sheffield Hallam University and University of West London all in the UK. Presently, a student of Leed Beckett University, I’m studying construction law and dispute resolution.
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