About me

DR. JULIUS OYEDEMI > About me

ABOUT ME

Prof. (Amb.) Julius Oyedemi

Group Executive Director (Sales & Marketing) of PWAN Group; MD/CEO PWAN PLUS.

Prof. (Amb.) Julius Oyedemi is an exceptional figure in Africa’s real estate landscape, renowned for his innovative approach, strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. His amazing transformation into a vibrant real estate mogul continues to inspire hope and greatness.

Background
Born in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria, to a land surveyor father and an educationist mother, Prof. Oyedemi was raised in a humble home; with a taste for merit. And constantly seeking new ways to surpass expectations has made him what he is today: an accomplished entrepreneur, serial investor, and innovator who has consistently pushed the boundaries of excellence in the real estate industry. However, his success story did not come on a platter of gold.
From age nine, the mother assigned him targets to fetch water for domestic use, bringing back poignant memories for Oyedemi. He would say: “As a young boy of 9-12 years, I was already fetching water with jerrycans to fill drums at home. My mother set me the targets particularly as I was a little stubborn fella back in the day.”

Growing up
Having been raised in a university environment, he built capacity and was instilled the discipline and a rapacious appetite for knowledge which became the building blocks of his success today. As a pupil within the varsity system, he was further exposed to the inner workings of life, meeting friends and became a natural leader among his peers. The exposure also made him to dream big, and desire the honour and power exemplified by the Student Union Government officials he came across.
Prof. Oyedemi naturally wanted to study surveying as a course in the university, like his father had. But senior Oyedemi declined since it was not lucrative back in the day. Hence, he went ahead to study Electrical/Electronics Engineering, at Madonna University, Port Harcourt, instead. Following his incapacitation after the death of his father, the yoongster began to desire a way to change his fortune. He had a stint in journalism, but little did he know that destiny had a shocker in store.

Real estate
Prof. Oyedemi’s encounter with Dr Augustine Onwumere, Co-founder of PWAN Group who hired him as a Business Development Executive in 2015, orchestrated his glorious journey into the world of real estate.

In 2016, he emerged as the Highest Sales Person; was appointed as pioneer Business Development Manager of the second Affiliate Company in the PWAN Group- PWAN PLUS in 2017. He became the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of PWAN PLUS in 2018.
Subsequently, he was appointed the MD/CEO of the Group’s parent company- PWAN Homes Ltd in January 2021 and he served in that capacity till August 2022 with landmark milestones. This earned him the appellation of “Double MD”.

Dr Oyedemi’s trajectory in PWAN Group has defied expectations. From his early days as a business developer, the high flyer has picked one diadem after another in various fields of endeavour. He is a member of the Board of Directors, of PWAN Group, where he currently serves as the Group Executive Director (Sales & Marketing). He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of PWAN Perfection Ltd, Lagos; PWAN Lighthouse, Lagos/Aba; PWAN Atlantics Ltd, Lagos; PWAN Dominion Ltd, PWAN Cornerstone Ltd and PWAN Paradise Ltd, all second-generation Affiliate Companies under PWAN PLUS. Prof Oyedemi also sits as a Director on the Board of Folkland Property Development Company Ltd- the construction arm of the PWAN Group.

Achievements
As the Managing Director and CEO of PWAN PLUS, a leading affiliate of the PWAN Group, he has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the real estate industry, setting new standards of quality, affordability and customer satisfaction.
With a background in electrical/electronic engineering from Madonna University, Prof. Oyedemi brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to his role. His journey from a humble beginning to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur reflects his resilience, determination and relentless pursuit of success.

Hence, his tenure at PWAN PLUS has been marked by ground-breaking achievements and milestones. Within five years of existence, he established about 40 exclusive estates. Under his visionary leadership, PWAN PLUS has witnessed unprecedented growth and expansion, earning accolades such as Africa’s Most Innovative Real Estate Development & Marketing Brand of the Year. His strategic initiatives, including the development of luxury residential housing units like the Cedarwood Luxury Estates, Cedarwood Luxury Maisonettes, Ikoyi, Lagos; Heartland Estates, Worship Court, and the Amazing Billionaires Island series, all in Asaba, Delta State, have reshaped the landscape of the real estate sector.

A prudent manager of resources and a trustworthy entrepreneur, Prof Oyedemi has empowered numerous families and organizations in Nigeria and beyond to own/invest in land in Nigeria. For him, real estate is about adding value to humanity. He’s known for his brand, the Cedarwood Luxury Housing, which provides luxury housing to Nigerians at affordable prices. The estates under his purview are nationwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many businesses shut down, even laying off employees, Prof Oyedemi made sure his employees got their full pay. His company opened three new estates in two states – Abia and Akwa Ibom. He further coordinated the PWAN Group COVID-19 Palliative Initiative where thousands of people benefited from food items and reliefs during a two-week distribution exercise, across 12 communities and locations in Lagos.

His impact extends to miscreants (omo oniles) in his estates’ host communities, who have today become successful entrepreneurs and business owners, themselves. Prof Oyedemi’s innovativeness saw him establish the first real estate online radio in Nigeria (Cedarwood Luxury Radio), and was the first to start Real Estate Award and Entertainment Night christened ‘Akara Oku’.

Recognitions
Recently, a tertiary institution, the Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, Abia State, honoured him, renaming the school’s engineering department after Prof Oyedemi, as well as starting new courses on wealth creation and financial literacy (MONEY 101 and 102), at the 2023 History-makers Summit. He had given 65 students scholarships, settled student debts and provided feeding allowances for countless others.
Adding to his string of accolades, Prof. Oyedemi was crowned the ‘Real Estate Humanitarian Personality of the Year 2023’ at the Nigeria Philanthropy Awards; a tribute to exceptional philanthropists and leaders dedicated to positive change and corporate social responsibility. Business Day Media Ltd, publishers of Business Day newspaper, also honoured him with the prestigious ‘Next Bull Award’ for 25 Top CEOs in the country; even as he has an honorary doctorate in real estate management and a Professorship Award from the American European University.

Professional association
In addition to his role at PWAN PLUS, Prof. Oyedemi is actively involved in various industry associations and professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Credit Administration, 2021; Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administrators and Researchers, 2021; Doctoral Fellow, Chartered Institute of Contract Project & Facility Management, 2023; Member, Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy & Management, 2017; and is an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

He is a sought-after speaker and mentor, known for his inspiring life story and transformative leadership principles. Through initiatives like the Prof Oyedemi School of Strategy (JOSS/SOS), he is dedicated to empowering the next generation of real estate professionals and leaders.
Prof. Oyedemi’s impact extends beyond the realms of business, as he is deeply committed to social responsibility and community development. On his lighter side, he is an avid reader, lover of good music and choice cars. His philanthropic efforts, such as providing scholarships and support to students at Uma Ukpai Polytechnic, exemplify his dedication to making a positive difference in society.

Attributes that enable him to achieve the landmark achievements include strong brand integrity, qualitative service, adaptability and team work. According to him, “At Cedarwood Luxury, we prioritise honesty, transparency, accountability and brand value. That is why in everything we do, you will see a touch of excellence. We are resilient, highly focused and above all, value team play.
“That is why anyone who does business with us (PWAN Plus) can go to sleep, and the business will keep running okay.”

A recipient of numerous awards and honours, including honorary doctorate degrees and prestigious industry recognitions, Prof. Oyedemi continues to raise the bar for excellence in real estate entrepreneurship. His unwavering commitment to integrity, innovation and service excellence serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and industry peers alike.

Prof. Julius Oyedemi is not just a leader in the real estate sector; he is a visionary, a mentor, and a catalyst for positive change. Prof Oyedemi’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to industry titan underscores the transformative power of passion, perseverance and purpose-driven leadership. With his wife, Mrs. Chinyere Peace Oyedemi, and their two children, Breakthrough and Amblessed, by his side, Prof. Oyedemi continues to chart new horizons and leave an indelible mark on Africa’s real estate landscape.