By Emeka Chiaghanam, Ifeanyi Ndukwe,
In the bustling real estate landscape of Anambra State, one name continues to command attention for all the right reasons; Engr. Emerie Eze, the visionary founder and CEO of Ultima Real Estate, headquartered in Awka. From the moment one steps through the company’s corporate gates, there’s a palpable sense of purpose and innovation. The ambiance, modern, welcoming, and sharply organized, is a reflection of the man behind the brand: young, sharp-minded, deeply spiritual, and passionately grounded in humility.
A Journey of Grit, Grace, and
Growth
A native of Nanka in Orumba
North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Emerie’s story is one of
determination, self-belief, and a relentless pursuit of purpose. The middle
child of five siblings and the first graduate in his immediate family, Emerie’s
childhood was marked by struggle and sacrifice. He did everything from menial
jobs in his secondary school days to skipping lectures at the univesity, all to
fund his education.
Despite these challenges,
Emerie graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, a milestone that
opened doors to coveted internships at the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) and later, Shell. “I was the only one selected from my set
after the NNPC interview,” he recalls. “At the time, I thought I had arrived,
but a quote I came across changed everything: ‘Wealthy people are not those who
wait for things to happen, they go out and make things happen.’ That quote
sparked a fire in me.”
That moment of reflection
prompted a career pivot that many wouldn’t dare consider, abandoning the path
of oil and gas in favour of entrepreneurship. Emerie began to look inward and
upward, seeking how to create wealth not just for himself, but also for others.
“Where did God place man when He created him?” he pondered. “Land. So, there’s
no business God gave man other than land.”
And thus, a real estate mogul
was born, not overnight, but through patience, learning, and a visionary belief
in possibilities.
The Making of a Real Estate
Giant
Before establishing Ultima Real
Estate, Emerie laid bricks, literally. He started by learning landscaping,
interlocking technology, and block moulding. With the little money he raised,
he built a functional block production site, started selling building
materials, and gradually acquired land. The progression was organic but
intentional.
“It’s not about starting big.
If you have a grand vision, start small, but don’t let your environment define
where you’ll stop,” he insists. This mindset has helped Ultima Real Estate
become one of Anambra State’s leading real estate firms, recognized for
integrity, innovation, and impact.
More than a commercial venture,
Ultima Real Estate is a platform for empowerment. Every Friday, Emerie hosts a
free seminar inside what he calls “Theatre of Dreams” at the
company headquarters, where he mentors aspiring real estate professionals and
aspiring entrepreneurs. His message is consistent: with the right knowledge,
vision, and persistence, financial independence is achievable within three to
four years.
“I believe in giving back,”
Emerie says. “I see myself in many of these young people. I know what it’s like
to start with nothing.”
Engineer. Marketer. Mentor.
While many see real estate as
simply the business of building houses, Emerie’s perspective is far more
expansive. “Everything on land is real estate,” he asserts. “From the Garden of
Eden to modern-day skyscrapers, man’s first assignment was tied to land.”
But technical skill alone
wasn’t enough. Emerie recognized early that succeeding in business demanded
more than engineering prowess. “In engineering, we’re trained to deal with
structures and systems, but not how to market or sell. That’s the missing link
for many professionals.”
So, he sought knowledge far
beyond his academic training. He read wide and voraciously. He enrolled in
human capacity development courses, studied management, and became a certified
member of the International Strategic Management Institute (ISMI). He also
immersed himself in the teachings of personal development legends like Jim Rohn
and Brian Tracy.
“I discovered it’s not the best
product that sells, it’s the best known product,” he says.
“You could be a tailor sewing the finest clothes or a baker making the best
cakes, but if no one knows what you do, it doesn’t matter. That realization
drove me to study marketing.”
That curiosity led him into
network marketing, a bold career move for an engineer. For five years, Emerie
honed his skills in sales, leadership, and public speaking through this
unconventional industry. “Network marketing taught me resilience, how to
communicate value, and how to duplicate success in others,” he reflects.
Since he had a vision of where
he was going. He left his first business and founded Diamond Construction, in
that business he supplied building materials most importantly and did couple of
jobs for private and public organizations and the rest of them.
These lessons laid the
groundwork for what would eventually become Ultima Real Estate.
Ultima Real Estate: A Brand
Built on Vision and Values
Ultima Real Estate is more than
a business, it’s a manifestation of a belief system that fuses faith,
foresight, and fortitude. At the heart of its operations is a deep commitment to
ethical practices and community empowerment. Emerie sees real estate as a
vehicle for transformation, not just of spaces, but of lives.
The firm’s headquarters isn’t
just an office space; it’s a symbol of aspiration. From the gate to the
reception, visitors are immersed in an environment designed to uplift and
inspire. He insists the success isn’t just in the buildings, it’s in the
people. “We train people from scratch. Some never went to university. Some used
to be like me, hustling to survive. We give them a platform, knowledge, and hope.
We want people to feel that they’ve stepped into a future they can be part of,”
he explains.
His strategic approach to
training and mentorship has made Ultima not just a player in the market but a
movement. “Our students don’t just learn real estate, they learn how to create
value, build credibility, and generate wealth.”
Navigating the Realities of
Nigerian Real Estate
Nigeria’s real estate sector is
notoriously unregulated, a reality that makes Emerie’s rise even more
remarkable. “Real estate offers some of the biggest gains in Nigeria,” he
notes, “but it requires careful study. Without knowledge, you’re just
gambling.”
To this end, he’s made it his
mission to demystify the industry, offering training that many pay millions
for, absolutely free. “Some of the skills I teach cost me seven figures to
acquire. I give them away because I believe in lifting others.”
His deep understanding of both
the technical and legal sides of real estate makes him a well-rounded operator.
“I studied legal frameworks, not to become a lawyer, but to be legally smart in
business.”
His goal is not just to sell
land or build houses. It’s to empower others with the tools to navigate and
thrive in the complex real estate landscape.
The Power of Localization in
Innovation
When asked about integrating
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technology into real estate, Emerie is
both pragmatic and insightful.
“We are studying it,” he says,
“but the real challenge isn’t copying—it’s localizing technology.
Many Nigerian policies fail because we copy without context. It’s not enough to
adopt a model that works in the U.S. or China or elsewhere. We must adapt it to
our peculiar realities.”
Emerie believes the future of
real estate in Nigeria must be rooted in context-aware innovation. “Observe
first. Understand your market. Then implement technology with precision.”
On Anambra State's New C
of O Policy: Progress That Needs Partnership.
While
this policy is certainly a step in the right direction, good intentions alone
aren't enough. Effective policy implementation requires genuine collaboration
with industry stakeholders. The Land Use Act of 1978 does give governors
custodial rights over land, but governance shouldn't operate in a vacuum.
Consider this: if you own a house, you can't simply evict a tenant without due
process - there are tenant protection laws in place.
Now
imagine my father obtained a Certificate of Occupancy but has passed away, and
I'm living abroad. If new policy requirements suddenly emerge, should I be
expected to immediately fly back to Anambra to update documents? This is
precisely why I emphasize inclusive stakeholder engagement. When all parties
collaborate - government, developers, and landowners - we can identify
potential issues beforehand and create solutions that work for everyone.
I fully support the government's initiative, but execution matters just as much as intention. The timing and implementation framework will determine its success. While some may worry about abrupt changes, I'm confident this administration will make necessary adjustments where needed. After all, the goal is progress - and we're finally moving in that direction.
Building Towards a Smart City:
The Anambra Vision
As Anambra State sets its
sights on becoming a mega smart city, Emerie is both hopeful and cautious.
“We’ll get there eventually, but we’re far from it today. Real structural
reforms must precede that dream.”
He advocates for deeper
government collaboration with stakeholders. “There has been no formal
stakeholder meeting in the real estate sector in Anambra. Yet, this sector
brings the highest revenue inflow to the state. Construction and real estate
are the bedrock of urban development.”
For true progress, he insists,
stakeholders must be carried along. “We’re not just developers, we’re partners
in progress. A smart city can’t be built without the people who shape its
physical reality.”
As
a leading real estate firm, what are Ultima Real Estate's current flagship
projects?
We're proud to be developing five thriving estates across Anambra State:
1. Oganiru Phase I & II in Awka – our flagship developments setting new standards in urban living
2. Seed of Life Estate in Amansea – bringing premium housing to Awka North LGA
3.Ifeadogo Estate in Mgbakwu – thoughtfully designed residential communities
4. Ozumba City Estate in Enugwu-Agidi – our innovative "Buy and Build" concept
What makes me most grateful?
Through God's grace and our commitment to doing business with integrity, we've
maintained a perfect legal record – not a single property dispute or litigation
across all our developments.
We operate on a simple but
powerful principle: "Do your part with excellence, then trust God
to do what only He can." This approach has been our foundation
since day one, and by His mercy, it continues to bear fruit in every project we
undertake.
To
young entrepreneurs venturing into real estate, he distills his hard-earned
wisdom into three foundational pillars:
Knowledge
is Your Competitive Edge
‘’A degree is merely your
admission ticket - the real game begins with specialized industry knowledge. I
learned from Deuteronomy 8:18 that God provides the capacity to create wealth,
and that capacity is built through relentless learning. Don't just study real
estate theory; master the practical nuances - land valuation techniques, zoning
laws, contract negotiations. The most successful developers I know are perpetual
students of their craft.’’
Mentorship:
The Accelerator
‘’Finding
the right mentor is only half the battle - total submission to their guidance
completes it. Early in my career, my mentor taught me: "Excuses expire
when the reward is valuable enough." If heavy rain would stop you from a
meeting but not from collecting ₦1 million, then the rain was never the real
obstacle. A true protégé follows instructions without debate, understanding
that the mentor sees further down the road.’’
Divine
Alignment Through Action
‘’As a Christian businessman,
I've discovered a vital distinction: while salvation comes by grace, success
requires preparation meeting opportunity (Genesis 2:5). God won't send rain to
untilled soil. I advise young believers: pursue spiritual growth and business
acumen with equal vigor. Attend Bible study, but also study market trends. Pray
fervently, but also build your professional network.
These three elements -
specialized knowledge, disciplined mentorship, and faith-fueled action - form
what I call the "Unshakable Foundation Principle" (Psalm 11:3).
They've guided me from selling building materials to developing entire estates.
Remember: in real estate as in life, what you build on matters as much as what
you build.’’
Legacy, Leadership, and the
Road Ahead
For all his achievements,
Emerie remains grounded in his faith and guided by a simple principle: vision
without values is vanity. Whether addressing aspiring entrepreneurs or
engaging high-net-worth clients, he operates with the same quiet confidence and
humility that have become his signature.
As he looks to the future, his
focus is on scaling Ultima Real Estate beyond Anambra and transforming it into
a national force. “We want to be known not just for selling properties, but for
building people.”
In a world obsessed with
shortcuts and overnight success, Emerie Eze is proof that integrity, patience,
and purpose-driven action still win the race. From interlocking blocks to
luxury estates, from shell offices to dream classrooms, his story is a masterclass
in resilience and reinvention.
Above all, he remains a man of
the people, a self-made engineer turned empire-builder, who never forgets where
he came from and never stops giving back.
Closing Quote
"Real estate isn't just business—it's the art of transforming land into
legacy."
— Engr. Emerie Eze
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