Abikoye Emmanuel Adekunle, a prominent figure in the real estate industry, reflected on the pivotal moment in his burgeoning career in the construction sector. Affectionately known as the “Chief Coach of Lagos” by his family, friends, business colleagues, and admirers for various reasons, Adekunle attributed his entry into the real estate field to his challenging upbringing in one of Lagos’ most infamous slums.
When asked about his most cherished life experience to date, he expressed, “That has to be when we completed our initial housing project, The Ambiance, consisting of 48 duplex units situated behind LBS Lagos.”
He emphasized that one of the most significant lessons he has learned is not to “overstate the attributes of your projects” and to ensure that units are reserved for the company’s assets.
The entrepreneur, who was born and raised in Lagos, Ajegunle, a neighborhood known for its notorious reputation as one of the most challenging slums and ghettos in Lagos State, credited his upbringing in Ajegunle for toughening him up in the face of life’s challenges.
“Growing up in the slum and ghetto has always been a matter of survival for me and my family. We used to live in a one room apartment on a street very close to the canal. While growing up, I used to travel to the village with my parents, especially during the Christmas festive period. On few occasions whenever we came back to Lagos, I always fell terribly sick”, he said.
Opening up on why he is fondly called the Chief Coach of Lagos, Adekunle, a co-founder of BRG Network Limited, rated as one of the biggest brokerage firms in Africa said: “I was called coach by my friends because of my leadership skills, while playing football on the streets of Ajegunle
“Then, when I was in the higher institution, I participated in school politics and i become the Student Union Sport Director 010/011 and I was referred to as ‘Coachee’
“When real estate came, because of my leadership skills and knowledge of the industry and how I trained people on how to sell real estate leveraging on the internet ,I earned the name Chief Coach”.
While recollecting some amazing things that happened to him while growing up, he said: “My mother told me I started walking at seven months old and whenever she went hawking her wares I used to jump in her back and help in chanting “Pokulowo e” meaning whatever she is selling is not expensive. I think that’s where my entrepreneurship journey started.
“After school, I will hawk my mum’s ware around the neighborhood to assist with funds for the family. I have hawked kerosene, Ankara fabrics, dusters etc”.
Adekunle, who bagged a Higher National Diploma in Microbiology from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, was conferred with a Honourary doctorate degree in Luxury Real Estate Management and Property Development from the University of Panama.
He also has certifications in Real Estate Dynamics Skills and Strategies from the Metropolitan School of Business Management in the United Kingdom and Real Estate Marketing Certification from Lagos Business School.
He said his upbringing played a pivotal role in shaping his positive trajectory in life and career
“My parents are devoted Christians, most especially, my mum, as she will always force us to go to church and attend vigils. So as a result of this, I joined the church choir at a young age.
“As a church boy, even though, we were raised in the ghetto, I was able to maintain some moral vibes and values despite so many temptations to do drugs, cultism, frauds, hooliganism and other vices” Adekunle said.
