Top Women in the Construction Industry

Happy International Women’s day🎉🎊

International Women's Day is a momentous occasion that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It is a day to recognize and honor the incredible contributions that women have made and continue to make in all aspects of life.

We are shining our light on the unsung heroes of the construction and building industry - women. In a male-dominated industry, these trailblazing women have broken through the glass ceiling and shattered stereotypes to pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive future. From architects and engineers to designers, these women have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also inspired and empowered the next generation of women to follow in their footsteps.

So, without further ado, let's celebrate the top women in the construction and building industry who are making their mark and proving that gender is not a limitation to success.

1) Olayinka Ogunsulire: Olayinka Ogunsulire is the Managing Director of Orange Island Development Company, a real estate development firm that focuses on providing affordable housing solutions to Nigerians. She is a property development and investment professional with over 25 years of experience in her field. Her previous roles include CEO of Heirs Real Estate and Managing Director of ARM Properties, both leading players in the Nigerian property market.

She has extensive experience initiating, executing and managing large-scale real estate and housing infrastructure projects. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a member of the Institute of Directors, Yinka sits on several boards including Afriland Properties Plc and Anchorage Leisure Limited. She has been instrumental in driving the growth and expansion of Orange Development Company.

2) Mohammed Faniyi Jamila: Faniyi Jamila is the Managing Director of Construction Kaiser Limited, a leading construction company in Nigeria that has been involved in several notable projects across the country. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in building from Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria. She is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB). She is also a member of the project management institute.

Jamila's leadership has been instrumental in the growth and success of the company. She has attended many training programs both locally and internationally including Building Businesses in Turbulent Times (BBTT) at the Harvard Business School, Boston, MA in the United States of America and Project Management training in CPMS, Lagos. She joined the company in 2005 and has served in various capacities as a Planning Engineer, Project Manager, Operations Manager and currently the Chief Operating Officer at M & E Kaiser Limited.

3) Becky Damilola Oke: Becky Damilola Oke is a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist and she currently serves as the General Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSTAN Group which consist of BSTAN Homes, BSTAN Agriculture, BSTAN Cleaning Service, BSTAN Construction, and BSTAN Security. She is widely recognized as one of the most prominent and successful women in the construction industry in Nigeria, and she has built a reputation for delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. She earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Benin in 2003.

After graduation, she worked for six years in the construction industry in Nigeria. Shortly after that, she took up a new challenge which was driven by her passion for affordable housing to start her real estate company. Her company, BSTAN Homes, has completed over 25,000 houses across Nigeria in major cities such as; Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abeokuta. She is also the founder of the Pricasso Care Foundation (PCF), a non-governmental and humanitarian organization working towards providing a better life for the underprivileged in society.

4) Olajumoke Adenowo: Olajumoke Adenowo is the founder of AD Consulting, a leading architecture and interior design firm in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a renowned Nigerian architect, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Olajumoke is known for her exceptional talent, creativity, and dedication to excellence, which have earned her numerous accolades and recognition both locally and internationally. She has been involved in the design and construction of multiple projects. These include Nigerian government buildings, private residences, healthcare facilities, industrial campuses, and corporate and financial institutions.

Olajumoke Adenowo is also known for her work in the hospitality sector. Her designs are known for their luxurious, yet functional, spaces that provide guests with an unforgettable experience. In addition to her work as an architect and designer, Olajumoke Adenowo is also a renowned speaker and author. She has written several books on architecture, design, and entrepreneurship. She is also a regular speaker at conferences and events both in Nigeria and abroad, where she shares her experiences and insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and design.

5) Bolanle Ibitola: Bolanle Ibitola is the Managing Director of Jabetza Realty and Crayon Development Limited, a startup real estate company that aims to revolutionize the real estate industry in Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and literature from the University of Lagos and a Master's degree in human resource management from Middlesex University. Bolanle Ibitola has worked in several industries throughout her career as a human resource manager before venturing into real estate.

In 2021, Bolanle Ibitola founded Jabetza Realty with the aim of providing affordable housing solutions for Nigerians. The company's mission is to provide quality homes that meet the needs of Nigerians at an affordable price. The company's success can be attributed to its innovative approach to real estate development, as well as its commitment to delivering quality and affordable homes to its clients.

6) Mercy Iyortyer Torkwase: Mercy Iyortyer Torkwase Is the executive director of Zihabit Nigeria Limited, a construction development outfit. She is a renowned Nigerian Quantity Surveyor who has achieved remarkable milestones in her career. She is widely recognized as the first female Quantity Surveyor from the Northern region of Nigeria, and also the first female to occupy the seat of the president of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyor (NIQS).

She has an impressive track record of successfully managing various construction projects across Nigeria. Her work has been recognized with several awards, including the Women in Construction Leadership Award in 2018, which was presented to her by the National Association of Women in Construction. She was awarded the Merit Award of Excellence by the NIQS, in recognition of her outstanding performance and contributions to the profession. She also served as the Vice President of the NIQS before being elected as the President in 2020.

7) Tosin Oshinowo: Tosin Oshinowo is a Nigerian architect and the founder of cmDesign Atelier, a Lagos-based architecture and design firm. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she has become one of the leading architects in Nigeria, known for her innovative designs that blend contemporary and traditional elements. Tosin is a graduate of Architecture from Kingston College London and had her master's degree in Urban Design from Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Having worked on a number of projects in various Architectural firms in Europe and Africa,

Tosin incorporated her own Architectural Design Consultancy firm, CmDesign Atelier in 2012. One of her notable projects is the Maryland Mall in Lagos, which she designed in collaboration with her team at cmDesign Atelier. The mall, which was completed in 2016, is a modern retail space that incorporates local elements such as traditional textiles and patterned tiles to create a unique shopping experience. She is also the Founder and Chief Executive of Lifestyle furniture line, Ile ila (House of Lines). Tosin is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA) and also a registered architect with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

8) Uzoamaka Oshogwe: Uzoamaka Oshogwe is the current CEO of Afriland Properties Plc, a leading real estate firm in Nigeria. She has had a long and successful career in the real estate industry, spanning over two decades. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and an RICS Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator. Bringing to the fore a perfect blend of creativity, resilience, enterprise and innate knowledge of the real-estate business, Uzo has masterfully led Afriland Properties Plc to achieve profit in its operations, further establishing its reputation as one of the most reputable real estate companies in Africa.

She is a strong advocate of gender inclusion in the workplace and under her stewardship, Afriland Properties Plc was declared one of the best places to work in Nigeria. Uzo also holds a professional certificate in Real Estate Management (Design, Finance & Leadership) from Harvard Business School.

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