As far as real estate management is concerned currently in Nigeria , La-Faith properties is gathering more momentum. And the Chief Executive Officer, La-Faith Properties, Olabisi Akanbi is working assiduously in making sure the brand spreads everywhere in Nigeria and Africa respectively.
From a young age, real estate investor Olabisi Akanbi has portrayed a keen sense of entrepreneurism.
The story of the property market in Lagos cannot be told today without also stating the immense strides of Akanbi, one of the few forces behind the emerging market boom of the industry in the commercial nerve centre of the country.
For this 36-year old founder of LABO Group, he has had business stints in entertainment, automotive and media but his penchant for success led him to real estate where he is now well decorated for excellence in business and philanthropy across Nigeria via his LABO Foundation, a platform he floated in 2019.
Prior to that, Akanbi had proceeded to the United Kingdom to further his education at the Cavendish College, London.
He then proceeded to the St. Patrick’s College also in London where he bagged a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business Management.
He immediately returned to Nigeria and delved into the property business having understudied several multinational and indigenous civil construction companies including Cappa D’Alberto.
He later floated LaFAITH Property Company and since 2012, the real estate firm has been realizing its strategic objectives by engaging in multiple projects with each of them unique and exciting —his imprints are all over Banana Island and Parkview Estate both in Ikoyi; Alimosho, OPIC Isheri, Magodo GRA and Lekki/ Ajah axis just to mention a few.
With every new venture being more innovative than the last, Akanbi gained real- life experience through the implementation and execution of his risk-taking and thrill-seeking ideas as evidently seen with the latest commercial activity his real estate firm engaged in terms of sheer size: the ongoing multibillion naira LAFAITH Resorts in the Lagoon front of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The mega project when completed, Spotlight learnt, will give its occupiers a bit of Monte Carlo experience in Lagos. Creating value propositions for people is of paramount importance to Akanbi.
He believes making money in and of itself is not the be-all and end-all. He is passionate about what he does, and whenever he puts his mind to something, the end product must be the creme de la creme.
For the unassuming Epe, Lagos-born Akanbi, it’s important to complete projects that serve a purpose and fulfill a need in society. One of the reasons he’s always having something new up his sleeve that will impact the Nigerian talents and the economy as a whole.
At a point, the fast-rising real estate mogul wants to help groom homegrown talents for a global showcase. And as a mark of seriousness, a subsidiary of his group —LABO Entertainment— brought many creative talents including Konga, Sideone, Eco- man and Smapee together and helped mold them into wave-making artists. In April this year at the height of the global pandemic, Akanbi signed popular singer, Dotman, to help reposition his career.
It’s important to prepare sensible business plans for all strategic decision-making processes but Akanbi bases most of his decisions on gut feeling. And it has worked for him severally.
Professionally, the LABO Group boss admires Mr. Bisi Onasanya, the former managing director of First Bank Nigeria and currently the Chairman/CEO of The Address Home, a leading real estate Investment group in Nigeria.
The young entrepreneur is learning the ropes about luxury living business from the former banking chieftain. Akanbi also looked up to another creative investor in the real estate sector: Siji Ogundele of Sujimoto fame for creating unique projects every time.
This diminutive entrepreneur has advice for budding entrepreneurs and start-ups: Simply ‘Go for it! Mistakes will happen – that’s a natural consequence of business ventures. Learn from them. There are cyclical patterns in business activity; that’s the way it goes. Learn to think and learn to adapt to change.
Read his portfolio below:
Olabisi Akanbi grew up in Lagos,Nigeria.
He studied International Business Management (lBM) from the Cavendish College, London, United Kingdom . He furthered his education at the St. Patrick’s college, London, where he bagged Bachelor of Science degree.
He started his initial education in Nigeria, obtaining both O’Level (western) and Islamic Arabic education respectively .
PROFESSION
Mr. Olabisi Akanbi is the president and founder of Labo Group of Companies, a front-line Marketing service provider and integrated marketing communication group of company.
La-Faith Property Ltd, an indigenous construction company in Lagos,Nigeria, is one of the company’s subsidiaries. The real estate company has been a keen participant in the emerging property market in Lagos today.
The busness guru also has a stake in the entertainment entertainment industry. He is the CEO of Labo Entertainment Limited. The likes of Dotman and DJ Tough are music stars signed to Labo Entertainment Limited.
The busness gem also has a stake in the automobile industry with Labo Autos Limited, an automobile company that deals in sales of state of the art vehicles.
He is equally the founder of Labo Foundation, a non-governmental organization saddled with the responsibility of giving hope to the less privileged. The foundation gave lot of relief items freely to Lagosians during the recent COVID-19 lockdown.
JOURNEY
During his educational foray in London he defied the harsh cold Winter of Europe by working briefly with a construction company before returning to Nigeria.
He subsequently delved into the property business having understudied multinational and indigenous civil construction companies such as Cappa De Alberto, Elalan Civil Engineering Company, Lekki Homes and a host of others.
By sheer providence, the business of entertainment, property development and automobile which he ventured into were crowned with success.
He established the Labo Group of Companies in 2004 which was later registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC ) in 2008. Its real estate sunsidiary has been involved in major constructions in Banana Island,Magodo GRA, Parkview Estate Ikoyi, Alimosho, Opic Isheri, etc., just to mention a few.
Through commitment to excellence and dedication to professionalism, Lafaith company, under the auspices of Mr. Olabisi Akanbi, has continued to exceed standards via strong professional partnerships based on integrity, ingenuity and reliability. These invaluable traits, along with his deep rooted tie to the Lagos state government housing authorities has enabled Mr Akanbi and his company to become one of the most sought after and respected names in building construction , real estate management in Lagos Nigeria and beyond.
RECOGNITION
Mr Olabisi Akanbi is well decorated for excellence in building industry and philanthropy across Nigeria. He is also a honorary member of the Civil Construction Society of Nigeria and member Lagos State Builders Guild. Mr Olabisi Akanbi is also studying to become a building consultant with specialized interest in building material alternatives and distribution in AIU university for him to be able to give the best to his client .
AWARDS
In 2018, Mr.Olabisi Akanbi’s Labo Entertainment won Best Record Label at City People Music Awards, 2018. In May 2019 Mr. Olabisi Akanbi bagged award as Achiever Man of the Year , Green & White Nigeria (GWN), August 2020, Olabisi Akanbi was honoured for his support for youths development and talents in Nigeria. The honour came from separate youth organisations which include the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Congress of Nigerian Youths (CONYO) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Best Real Estate Management Company of the Year, City Pride Achievers Awards 2020 (CPAA), Prime Excellence Recognition Award as an inspiring Record label owner of the Year(PERA), 2020.
