By Nnasom David 

As demand for organised housing continues to grow in Nigeria’s capital, the founder of Festrut Group, Professor Festus Uwakhemen Asikhia, says the company is prioritising professionally managed residential estates built on quality, transparency and regulatory compliance.

Asikhia, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the real estate firm, said the company’s growth has been driven by an emphasis on proper documentation, responsible estate management and investor confidence.

Before venturing into real estate, Asikhia worked with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, where he said he developed skills in planning, accountability and operational management that later influenced his approach to business.

He established Festrut Global Shelter Nigeria Limited in 2010 with the aim of developing residential communities that combine quality infrastructure with effective management and secure property documentation.

Over the years, the company has delivered housing projects in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, including Defender’s Estate in Karshi, Festrut Kingdom Estate in Orozo and Festrut Estate in Katampe.

According to the company, its operations place emphasis on compliance with regulatory requirements, title documentation and customer service—areas that have become increasingly important as concerns over land ownership and property transactions persist within Nigeria’s real estate sector.

Industry stakeholders have repeatedly identified issues such as disputed land titles, inadequate documentation and weak estate management as major challenges affecting investor confidence in the country’s property market.

Against this backdrop, developers have increasingly sought to distinguish themselves through improved governance practices, transparent transactions and structured estate administration.

Asikhia said Festrut intends to expand its portfolio of residential developments while strengthening its estate management services and title processing systems to meet growing demand within Abuja’s housing market.

With rapid urbanisation continuing across Nigeria and other African countries, analysts say demand for professionally managed housing estates is expected to remain strong, placing greater emphasis on developers’ ability to deliver projects backed by credible documentation and effective management.