IMPORTANT NOTICE

The soft sell magazines refer to the rich elite of our society as ‘big boys’ but to CASTLES you can only qualify as a ‘big boy’ if you have built/bought a high rise apartment block in the ultimate locations in Lagos –Old Ikoyi and Victoria Island

Alhaji Aliko Dangote: Alhaji  Dangote ‘cemented’ (pardon the pun) his reputation as a ‘big boy’ by his inclusion in the Forbes Richest list, making him the first Nigerian to do so but in real estate circles his credentials were never in doubt especially when he built three sumptuous apartment blocks (two in Ikoyi and one on Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island) at the same time! This was in addition to another luxury block of flats on Probyn Road, Ikoyi.   Alhaji Dangote had established the Dangote Group in May 1981 as a trading business with an initial focus on rice and cement. The group has since diversified over-time into a conglomerate trading cement, sugar, flour, salt and fish. In year 2000, the group acquired the Benue Cement Company Plc from the Nigerian Government and in 2003 commissioned the Obajana Cement Plant; the largest cement plant in sub-Saharan Africa.

Otunba Subomi Balogun: The Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians, Otunba Subomi Balogun is fondly referred to as the Baron of the Nigerian Capital Market. Born in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Otunba Subomi Balogun read law in England. He is however better known for his trailblazing exploits in the financial sector. He started the First Nigerian fully owned Merchant Bank, First City Merchant Bank (now First City Monument Bank) in 1982. A classy dresser, Otunba Balogun’s properties reflect his good taste. His palace in his home town is reputed to be the best in the country! His high rise apartment blocks on Cooper Road and close to Silverbird Cinemas in Victoria Island are timeless designs.

Femi Otedola: Mr. Femi Otedola is better known as Mr. Diesel as his company, Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited is the largest dealer in the commodity. His business prowess extends beyond this however as he is also Chairman of African Petroleum and Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited, Seaforce Shipping Company Limited, Atlas Shipping Agency Company Limited, F. O. Transport Limited, F.O. Properties Limited, Swift Insurance Brokers Limited and Garment Care Limited. He  owns an high-rise property at the junction of Cooper Road in Old Ikoyi  known as Zenon Towers and that he plans to build another one at Ozumba Mbadiwe Street in Victoria Island.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote	Otunba Subomi Balogun	Femi Otedola	Tayo Aderinokun	Donald Duke	Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya

Tayo Aderinokun: Tayo Aderinokun is the current Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. The bank commenced operation in February 1991, and has since grown to become one of the most respected and service focused banks in Nigeria. Tayo Aderinokun is reported to be the proud owner of Rebecca Court  a landmark complex of  luxury apartments on the dual carriage way leading to Banana Island and there are rumours that he owns one of the high-rise buildings on Kingsway Road.

Donald Duke: The former Governor of Cross River State is one of the few privileged Nigerian to own properties in the high-end Old Ikoyi. An avid music lover, Donald Duke was born on September 30, 1961. He received his LLB Degree in 1982 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and his L.L.M in Business Law and Admiralty in 1984 from the University of Pennsylvania. He is reported to own a brand new high-rise in Temple Road, Ikoyi.

Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya: For many years the Aare of Lagos, Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, the Chairman of Eleganza Industries Limited has been in the forefront of property development in Nigeria. Apart from his Luxury Block of flats located in the heart of high-brow Ikoyi Crescent, Chief Okoya has a famous landmark development on the Lekki Peninsular known as the ‘Oluwanisola’ Estate literally meaning God is the giver of wealth. Also, aside residential properties, the Aare has also made serious foray into commercial real estate. He is the proud owner of commercial high-rise towers in Victoria Island and Lagos Island. He also has several office complexes and shopping malls in Apapa, Ikeja and Orile Iganmu along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.