By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

In an effort to develop world-class talent for Nigeria’s real estate sector, Knight Frank Nigeria, in collaboration with key real estate institutions, has presented certificates to 16 young professionals who graduated from the Cohort 2 of the Knight Frank Academy.

The Knight Frank Academy, launched in 2023, was established to bridge the gap between fresh graduates’ academic knowledge and the practical skills required in the dynamic real estate sector.

The Academy aims to provide comprehensive training that addresses both technical and behavioural competencies in view of the rise in quality concern of new entrants into the field.

In a statement, Senior Partner/Chief Executive of Knight Frank Nigeria, Mr. Frank Okosun, highlighted the importance of the Academy in addressing the industry’s need.

“We celebrate the accomplishments of 16 talented young professionals who have completed two months of intensive training at our Academy, followed by two months of internships at leading real estate firms. This brings the total number of our trained graduates to 33, all of whom are well-prepared to make valuable contributions to the industry”.

Okosun acknowledged the collaboration and support of key industry institutions, such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON), International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI-Nigeria).

“FIABCI-Nigeria, in particular, offered fully paid memberships to the entire graduating cohort, emphasizing the importance of building professional networks early in their careers.

“We are grateful to our industry partners for recognizing the value of this initiative and for their unwavering support. These young professionals are now well-equipped to pursue further certifications and contribute to the growth of real estate practice in Nigeria,” he said.

Also, President of NIESV, Mr. Victor Alonge, commended the vision of the Academy, describing it as imperative to the future of the profession.

He said that the Institution is committed to deepening its collaboration with Knight Frank Academy by reviewing the curriculum and awarding relevant Continuous Professional Development, CPD points to the graduands.

“This initiative is a forward-thinking approach to upskilling the next generation of estate professionals. Knight Frank is setting a standard that other firms should emulate”, he stated.

Head of Human Resources and Administration, Mrs. Toyin Lasaki, highlighted in her address the improvements made in Cohort 2 following feedback from the first cohort.

“We enriched the curriculum, extended the internship period, and engaged new facilitators to provide a more robust learning experience”, she stated.