Chairman and CEO of Afia Group of Companies, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem, MCIArb, MCIOB, MCABE, Mogaji Adanla, has dedicated his latest recognition by The Guardian to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, acknowledging the monarch’s enduring encouragement, mentorship and support for his entrepreneurial journey.
Adanla was featured by The Guardian in its special focus on “100 Top-Notch Engineers Powering the Nigerian Economy,” an initiative highlighting professionals whose expertise, vision and contributions continue to drive development across the country.
In a heartfelt message released after the recognition, the Afia Group Chairman described the honour as a humbling reminder that meaningful success is rarely achieved alone, attributing his accomplishments ultimately to the grace and favour of Almighty Allah.
He said every opportunity, milestone and recognition in his journey represents an opportunity to return glory to Allah, while acknowledging the contributions of those who have supported him at different stages of his career.
At the heart of his message, however, was a special tribute to Oba Ladoja, whom he credited with playing a significant role in his transformation from a construction professional in the United Kingdom into a major force in Nigeria’s construction and real estate sector.
According to Adanla, the Olubadan “saw possibilities and potential long before many others did,” while his encouragement, belief and fatherly guidance continued to inspire his journey.
The relationship between both men has featured prominently in Adanla’s recent milestones. In March, he similarly dedicated Afia Homes and Properties’ Biggest Indigenous Real Estate Developer of the Year 2026 award by City People to Oba Ladoja, recalling that the monarch encouraged him to return from London and establish his business in Ibadan.
Adanla has also dedicated his Al-Basar International Foundation Special Recognition Award to the Olubadan, further underscoring the depth of his appreciation for the monarch’s influence and support.
A seasoned construction professional with more than two decades of experience spanning the United Kingdom and Nigeria, Adanla has steadily built Afia Group into a growing name in construction, real estate and property development.
His professional profile is backed by qualifications in Building Surveying, Building Engineering and Construction Project Management, alongside memberships of recognised professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Building, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Mogaji Adanla is also recognised in Ibadan and wider Yoruba traditional and Islamic circles as Turaki Adini of Oyo State, Wakil Faido Tijaniyyah of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, and Giwa Adini of Offa, Kwara State.
His latest recognition by The Guardian comes at a period when Afia Group is expanding its footprint in the Nigerian built environment through projects designed around quality, functionality, modern architecture and long-term value.
Among the company’s notable developments are Afia Court and Afia Apartment at Chief Lateef Oyelade GRA, Ring Road; Mandamis Luxury by Afia in Iyaganku GRA; Magdalen’s Court and The Crest in Agodi GRA, all in Ibadan.
Afia Homes and Properties has also entered into a partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank aimed at making homeownership more accessible through reduced initial payment requirements and flexible mortgage arrangements.
While expressing gratitude to his family, friends, colleagues, partners, clients and the teams that have contributed to his success, Adanla stressed that the recognition should not be regarded as a destination.
Rather, he described it as “a call to work harder,” pledging to continue pushing boundaries, raising professional standards and contributing to the transformation of Nigeria’s construction and real estate industry.
He also emphasised the need for greater attention to quality, professionalism, innovation, sustainability and infrastructure delivery, arguing that Nigeria and Africa possess enormous possibilities which must be transformed into tangible opportunities for the people.
With that vision in mind, Adanla said Afia Group would continue to build more than physical structures, promising to “build opportunities,” “build communities” and “build capacity” towards a stronger and more prosperous future.
His latest recognition therefore represents more than another feather in the cap of an accomplished engineer and property developer.
In a heartfelt message released after the recognition, the Afia Group Chairman described the honour as a humbling reminder that meaningful success is rarely achieved alone, attributing his accomplishments ultimately to the grace and favour of Almighty Allah.
He said every opportunity, milestone and recognition in his journey represents an opportunity to return glory to Allah, while acknowledging the contributions of those who have supported him at different stages of his career.
At the heart of his message, however, was a special tribute to Oba Ladoja, whom he credited with playing a significant role in his transformation from a construction professional in the United Kingdom into a major force in Nigeria’s construction and real estate sector.
According to Adanla, the Olubadan “saw possibilities and potential long before many others did,” while his encouragement, belief and fatherly guidance continued to inspire his journey.
The relationship between both men has featured prominently in Adanla’s recent milestones. In March, he similarly dedicated Afia Homes and Properties’ Biggest Indigenous Real Estate Developer of the Year 2026 award by City People to Oba Ladoja, recalling that the monarch encouraged him to return from London and establish his business in Ibadan.
Adanla has also dedicated his Al-Basar International Foundation Special Recognition Award to the Olubadan, further underscoring the depth of his appreciation for the monarch’s influence and support.
A seasoned construction professional with more than two decades of experience spanning the United Kingdom and Nigeria, Adanla has steadily built Afia Group into a growing name in construction, real estate and property development.
His professional profile is backed by qualifications in Building Surveying, Building Engineering and Construction Project Management, alongside memberships of recognised professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Building, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Mogaji Adanla is also recognised in Ibadan and wider Yoruba traditional and Islamic circles as Turaki Adini of Oyo State, Wakil Faido Tijaniyyah of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, and Giwa Adini of Offa, Kwara State.
His latest recognition by The Guardian comes at a period when Afia Group is expanding its footprint in the Nigerian built environment through projects designed around quality, functionality, modern architecture and long-term value.
Among the company’s notable developments are Afia Court and Afia Apartment at Chief Lateef Oyelade GRA, Ring Road; Mandamis Luxury by Afia in Iyaganku GRA; Magdalen’s Court and The Crest in Agodi GRA, all in Ibadan.
Afia Homes and Properties has also entered into a partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank aimed at making homeownership more accessible through reduced initial payment requirements and flexible mortgage arrangements.
While expressing gratitude to his family, friends, colleagues, partners, clients and the teams that have contributed to his success, Adanla stressed that the recognition should not be regarded as a destination.
Rather, he described it as “a call to work harder,” pledging to continue pushing boundaries, raising professional standards and contributing to the transformation of Nigeria’s construction and real estate industry.
He also emphasised the need for greater attention to quality, professionalism, innovation, sustainability and infrastructure delivery, arguing that Nigeria and Africa possess enormous possibilities which must be transformed into tangible opportunities for the people.
With that vision in mind, Adanla said Afia Group would continue to build more than physical structures, promising to “build opportunities,” “build communities” and “build capacity” towards a stronger and more prosperous future.
His latest recognition therefore represents more than another feather in the cap of an accomplished engineer and property developer.
It further highlights the growing profile of a professional who has combined engineering expertise, entrepreneurship, community service and a deep commitment to the development of Ibadan and Nigeria.
0 Comments