Ayobami Akindipe

Ayobami Akindipe
Born
Ayobami Oluwanifemi Akindipe

(1997-08-27) 27 August 1997
Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
Education
Occupations
  • Entrepreneur
  • Real estate developer
  • Youth empowerment advocate
Known for
  • Founder of ACE Real Estate
  • ACE Academy
TitleChief Executive Officer, ACE Real Estate
Awards
  • Young Real Estate Person of the Year (2024)
  • Forbes 30 Under 30 (2025)

Ayobami Akindipe is a Nigerian real estate developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Ace Real Estate Development Ltd, a real estate development company operating in Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.[1][2][3]

Early life and career

Ayobami Oluwanifemi Akindipe was born on 27 August 1997 to Nigerian parents and hails from Owo, Ondo State.[1] He completed his primary and secondary education in Lagos State and later studied law at Kogi State University.[1]

Akindipe began working at the age of 13, as a bricklayer. He later transitioned into sales and became a licensed real estate agent by the age of 21.[4]

In 2019, he set up Ace Real Estate Development Ltd, a real estate development and management company. The company has delivered over 120 housing units and operates in Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.[5][1][4]

In 2022, Akindipe set up ACE Academy, a free empowerment initiative focused on equipping underserved Nigerian youth with real estate, sales, and entrepreneurial skills. Since its inception, the academy has trained and mentored over 25,000 young people, many of whom have gone on to earn income, close property deals, and start their own businesses.[6]

In 2025, he was named a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree for his contributions to real estate development, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion across Africa.[7][8]

Business philosophy and expansion

Akindipe has described building ACE Real Estate without external funding or debt, stating that the company remained 100 per cent debt-free while delivering over 120 housing units across Nigeria. He has spoken publicly about having no home, savings, or safety net in the early years of his entrepreneurial journey.[9]

Beyond property development, Akindipe has launched PropStock, a proptech platform aimed at making global real estate investment accessible to Africans, and has developed housing projects including Ibile City and Bless Resort.[9] His Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 recognition made him the first real estate developer in Nigeria to receive the accolade since Adetola Nola's inclusion in 2019.[10]

Awards and recognition

  • (2021) Excellence and Integrity Award – Nelson Mandela Leadership Awards.[4]
  • (2021) Icon of Societal Transformation Award – National Association of University Students.[11]
  • (2021) Golden Role Model Award – Nigeria Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative.[11]
  • (2021) Special Gold Award – Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics, Ghana.[11]
  • (2021) Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Young Entrepreneurs International Summit.[12]
  • (2023) Real Estate Developer of the Year – The Daily Sun recognition.[1]
  • (2023) Top 7 Real Estate Players – City People Magazine feature.[13]
  • (2024) Young Real Estate Person of the Year – Awarded for outstanding leadership and sectoral impact by Thinkmint Nigeria.[14]
  • (2025) Forbes 30 Under 30 – Named among Africa's most impactful young leaders by Forbes Africa.[15]
  • (2025) Cover Star – TTYBrand Africa Magazine – Featured as a visionary leader on the cover of TTYBrand Africa.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Daniels, Ajiri (22 March 2023). "Top five young Real Estate Developers to watch out for in 2023". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ↑ Ikpoto, Edidiong (20 March 2022). "Real estate firm pledges safe land acquisition". The Punch. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (16 December 2022). "Ace Real Estate unveils Vision City to mitigate climate challenges". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Nigeria, Guardian (24 May 2023). "Nola Adetola's mentorship sparks real estate brilliance: Ayobami's trailblazing success story". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Koiki, Olusegun. "Real Estate Firm Unveils Eco-Friendly Vision City". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  6. ↑ Ajakaiye, Fadekemi. "Ace Real Estate Introduces Free Academy to Empower Nigerian Youths". This Day. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Ayobami Akindipe: The Young King in Nigeria's Real Estate". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "Under 30 - Forbes Africa". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  9. 1 2 "How Ayobami Akindipe real estate icon journeyed into Forbes 30 Under 30". BusinessDay. 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  10. ↑ "Nigeria icons Ayobami Akindipe Omah Lay awarded Forbes 30 Under 30". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 2025-06-09. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  11. 1 2 3 Okeke, Ifeoma (17 December 2021). "Ayobami Akindipe awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  12. ↑ Eze, Chinedu. "Estate Magnate Wins Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award". This Day. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  13. ↑ Abimbade, Isaac (30 May 2023). "7 Real Estate Players Reveal Their Success Stories". City People Magazine. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "Ayobami Akindipe of ACE Real Estate Named Young Real Estate Person of the Year". BellaNaija. September 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  15. ↑ "Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 Class of 2025". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "Celebrating Visionary Leadership: Ayobami Akindipe on the Cover of TTYBrand Africa Magazine". TTYBrand Africa. 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
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