Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem, MCIArb, MCIOB, MCABE, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Afia Group of Companies, is set to receive another major industry recognition as the prestigious Business Times CEO Excellence Award names him the Real Estate Development & Building Engineering CEO of the Year 2026.
The award presentation is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, where industry leaders, business executives, professionals, associates and guests are expected to gather to celebrate the Afia Group chief executive.
A private birthday dinner in honour of Engr. Karheem will follow immediately after the award ceremony at the same venue, giving family members, friends, business associates and well-wishers an opportunity to celebrate both the professional milestone and his special day.
A private birthday dinner in honour of Engr. Karheem will follow immediately after the award ceremony at the same venue, giving family members, friends, business associates and well-wishers an opportunity to celebrate both the professional milestone and his special day.
Engr. Karheem, the Mogaji of the Adanla family of Ibadan, holds a number of prominent Islamic titles in addition to his traditional title. He is also the Turaki Adinni of Oyo State, Wakil Faido Tijaniyyah of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, and Giwa Adinni of Offa Land.
His latest recognition comes at a period when his professional profile has continued to attract attention across Nigeria’s construction and real estate sectors.
Earlier in the year, City People honoured Afia Homes and Properties as the Biggest Indigenous Real Estate Developer of the Year 2026, an award Adanla dedicated to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I.
TrendscopeNews had also reported in September that Adanla was featured by The Guardian among 100 Top-Notch Engineers Powering the Nigerian Economy, another recognition he dedicated to Oba Ladoja while pledging to continue pushing innovation and professional standards in Nigeria’s built environment.
His growing list of recognitions also includes a special recognition from the Al Basar International Foundation for his contributions to eye care and humanitarian initiatives. The honour was presented during the inauguration of Makkah Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, further highlighting his activities beyond the corporate environment.
Behind the accolades is a professional journey that spans more than two decades across the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
TrendscopeNews had also reported in September that Adanla was featured by The Guardian among 100 Top-Notch Engineers Powering the Nigerian Economy, another recognition he dedicated to Oba Ladoja while pledging to continue pushing innovation and professional standards in Nigeria’s built environment.
His growing list of recognitions also includes a special recognition from the Al Basar International Foundation for his contributions to eye care and humanitarian initiatives. The honour was presented during the inauguration of Makkah Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, further highlighting his activities beyond the corporate environment.
Behind the accolades is a professional journey that spans more than two decades across the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
Adanla developed substantial experience in the British housing and construction sector before returning to Nigeria, where he channelled his expertise into building Afia Group into a diversified business organisation with interests including construction, real estate and property development.
His academic and professional credentials include qualifications in Building Surveying, Building Engineering and Construction Project Management, complemented by memberships of professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Building, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Chartered Association of Building Engineers.
Afia’s real estate footprint has meanwhile continued to expand through projects such as Afia Court and Afia Apartment at Chief Lateef Oyelade GRA, Mandamis Luxury by Afia in Iyaganku GRA, Magdalen’s Court and The Crest in Agodi GRA, alongside other residential and commercial developments.
The group has also pursued initiatives aimed at making home ownership more accessible through structured financing and partnerships.
Beyond property development, Afia Group has continued to explore new business frontiers, including its partnership with Great Wall Motors, adding an automotive dimension to the group’s expanding portfolio.
Beyond property development, Afia Group has continued to explore new business frontiers, including its partnership with Great Wall Motors, adding an automotive dimension to the group’s expanding portfolio.
TrendscopeNews recently reported that the move forms part of the company’s broader strategy to deepen its business footprint and contribution to the local economy.
For Adanla, the Business Times recognition adds another chapter to a remarkable year of professional honours, coming after recognitions from City People, The Guardian and Al Basar International Foundation.
The October 2 ceremony is therefore expected to be more than an award presentation, as colleagues, family members, business associates and well-wishers gather to celebrate a construction professional whose career has increasingly combined engineering expertise, entrepreneurship, real estate development, community service and traditional responsibilities.
The celebration will also provide an opportunity to mark Adanla’s birthday in the company of those who have followed his journey from the United Kingdom’s built environment to the growing business landscape of Nigeria.
For Adanla, the Business Times recognition adds another chapter to a remarkable year of professional honours, coming after recognitions from City People, The Guardian and Al Basar International Foundation.
The October 2 ceremony is therefore expected to be more than an award presentation, as colleagues, family members, business associates and well-wishers gather to celebrate a construction professional whose career has increasingly combined engineering expertise, entrepreneurship, real estate development, community service and traditional responsibilities.
The celebration will also provide an opportunity to mark Adanla’s birthday in the company of those who have followed his journey from the United Kingdom’s built environment to the growing business landscape of Nigeria.
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