As one of the trailblazing women in the male-dominated real estate industry in Nigeria, Dr. Shakirat Ayobami Kareem, founder and group managing director, GMD of Whiterose International Group is not only breaking boundaries in real estate, but she is also inspiring the next generation of female entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps. Dr. Shakirat founded Lagos-headquartered Whiterose International Group, a multi-disciplinary brand known for its dominance in key sectors of the Nigerian economy ranging from real estate to other juicy pies. Dr. Shakirat has had an incredible success with her property company known as Whiterose Properties, a subsidiary of Whiterose International Group, thanks to her bold moves and deep knowledge of the real estate game. Whiterose Properties has become a household name in Nigeria and now oversees hundreds of multimillion naira real estate projects in Lagos, one of the most expensive real estate markets in Africa. Unknown to many people, Dr. Shakirat is not an overnight success. She has paid her dues in full. And she is deservedly on top of her game.
Described as a woman of intellect, Dr. Shakirat started from the bottom. And walk her way to the top. Dr. Shakirat encouraged herself and followed her passion – entrepreneurship. She also got inspired by a woman contesting for a gubernatorial position in her state. Since then she hasn’t looked back. For Dr. Shakirat, entrepreneurship is an inbuilt thing. She recalled in one of her interviews how she started saving in a piggy bank from her school feeding money and cash gifts while she was in primary. Her first business started in her father’s house. Decades on, she has honed her entrepreneurial skills and built for herself one of the most sought-after property companies in Nigeria.
What Dr. Shakirat has accomplished in the Nigerian real estate industry can best be described as legendary. Not only is she giving her male counterparts a good run for their money, she is also breaking new grounds and taking the centre stage in the real estate. Under her guidance, the property company has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, breaking boundaries and scaling new heights. So, what’s the secret behind the rise and rise of the Whiterose Properties? The secret is not far-fetched. The key weapon in her growth story is trust! Dr. Shakirat built her brand on the core values of integrity and excellence. This is one property company that’s genuinely committed to delivering on its promises. For Whiterose Properties, it’s the customers first. At Whiterose Properties, the emphasis is on business integrity. The company’s fidelity has won the brand a wide network of clients, including the affluent and top real estate investors. Over the years, the company has also invested heavily in ultra-modern real estate projects.
Top on the list of exciting real estate projects executed by Whiterose Properties includes:
Fresh Water Villas
25 units of 5bedroom Luxury Villas located at Fresh Water Garden, Ostia Island Lagoon District Lekki Phase1 Lagos.
Fresh Water Garden
Serviced Estate at Lagoon District, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Whiterose Apartments
100units of 1,2 and 3bedroom flat at Mayegun, Jakande, Lekki Phase1 Lagos.
Cullinan Garden
96 units of 3-bedroom terraces and 2-bedroom flats situated at Ogombo Area of Lekki, Lagos.
The Verdant
Serviced Estate at Ayetoro Government Scheme Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Delivered projects are:-
KIRAH COURT 1
4 units of 4-bedroom semi-detached duplexes with BQ at Oakview Estate, Lafiaji, Lekki, Lago
WHITEROSE COURT
8 units of 4-Bedroom, semi-detached duplexes with BQ at Lekki Conservation Centre by 2nd Toll-
Gate, Chevron, Lekki, Lagos
CAMELOT MEWS
14 units comprising 1 & 2 bedroom flats as well as 4-bedroom, semi-detached duplexes at Lafiaji,
Lekki, Lagos.
Like a tree planted by the river, the property company has continued to produce bountiful harvests. Aside being one of the leading property companies in Nigeria, Dr. Shakirat’s company is also one of the largest private employers of labour with over three thousand direct and indirect workers. The property company’s contributions to the local economy cannot be overemphasized. Another thing working in favour of Whiterose Properties is the company’s innovative design that’s second to none in the industry. Best known for her brilliant business ideas, Dr. Shakirat’s bright personality has endeared her to a lot of people. She has a huge following on social media too thanks to her giant strides in the highly competitive real estate industry. No doubt, Dr. Shakirat has done well for himself and the image of her thriving real estate company, Whiterose Properties.