The Visionaries Behind First World Communities
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our Leadership Principles
The values and principles that guide our leadership team in building a sustainable, innovative, and customer-focused organization.
Visionary Leadership
Our leaders set bold goals and inspire teams to achieve excellence in everything we do.
Ethical Governance
We maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our operations.
Collaborative Culture
We maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our operations.
Continuous Growth
We invest in our people's development and create opportunities for career advancement.
DR. PATRICK M. O. REIS
Executive Chairman
Dr. P. M. Tunde Reis (aka PMO) is the founder of First World Communities Ltd (FWC), a company focused on large-scale development of land, affordable housing and associated infrastructure (www.firstworld-communities.com). He is also the founder of First World Ventures Ltd (FVL), a company that facilitates skills and techniques that elicit human potential, with a view to enhancing leadership, collaboration, productivity and wellbeing. FVL provides training programs in Search Inside Yourself (SIY), Mindfulness, Self-Leadership, Coaching and other growth or transformation tools for corporate and individual clients (www.fw-p.co.uk). He is a non-executive director in other companies and non-profit boards. PMO speaks at various professional events and he is a certified facilitator of SIY, a mindful leadership and emotional intelligence program, backed by neuroscience, which was developed and tested in Google. He also offers innovative solutions on housing and urban development matters to public and private organisations. He retired from the Nigerian Army as a Brigadier General, having received the highest medal for impeccable service. ‘Tunde’s innovative contributions were acknowledged with two national honours, the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) and Officer of the Order of Niger (OON). He also received the “Distinguished Alumni of the Lagos Business School” award. 'Tunde is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa and the Aspen Global Leadership Network. ‘Tunde obtained a PhD in Housing Studies from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, United Kingdom (UK). He has a Master's degree in Environmental Design (Architecture) and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, both from the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of the London Business School and the Lagos Business School. Dr Reis also holds a Certificate in Company Direction from the UK Institute of Directors and a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (PCEC) from the Henley Business School. In collaboration with his wife 'Yinka, their children and the Firstworld companies, 'Tunde founded Borikan Self-Reliance Trust Ltd/Gte; aimed at providing education and essential human skills to children in underserved communities. It is hoped that Borikan beneficiaries could become the catalysts for transformation in their families and communities.
MRS. DEBORAH NICOL-OMERUAH
Vice Chairman
Deborah Nicol-Omeruah is a business transformation leader, CEO and Board Director with over 20 years’ experience across real estate, financial services and infrastructure in the UK and Africa. She is the Managing Director of LLHL Real Estate Limited, where she is leading the strategy and development of a large-scale infrastructure and urban transformation project in Lagos. Over the course of her career, she has led complex acquisitions, capital raising initiatives and enterprise turnarounds, and has delivered growth strategies across commercial, residential, hospitality and mixed-use real estate platforms in West Africa. Deborah previously served as CEO of Landmark Alliance Partners and Interim CEO of UPDC Plc, a Nigerian Exchange–listed real estate company, where she led a significant corporate transformation. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles in banking and property advisory, including at Stanbic IBTC Bank and Broll Property Group, and worked as a certified Financial Adviser with Lloyds TSB Private Banking and HSBC in the UK. She serves as a Non-Executive Director of Kuda Microfinance Bank Nigeria and Vice Chair of First World Communities Limited. Her previous board experience includes the Standards and Regulations Board of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the UK and Trustbond Mortgage Bank (now FirstTrust Mortgage Bank) in Nigeria. Deborah holds an MBA from London Business School and a BA (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Nottingham.
MR. OLABODE ODETUNDUN
Managing Director
Mr. Olabode Odetundun, the Managing Director FWC Limited. holds a B.Sc. in Estate Management from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife and a M.Sc. in Estate Management from London South Bank University. He also has certification in Real Estate Economics and Finance from London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Portfolio Management Expert specializing in Real Estate Assets, with over 20 years of extensive experience across Property Valuation, Business Development, Real Estate Sales & Marketing, Project Management and Asset/Portfolio Management.. Olabode has consistently added tremendous value to organizations within the investment and banking sectors. Notably, he successfully managed a sales portfolio in excess of ₦65 billion within the Investment Banking Group of a leading financial institution. With a proven track record of performance, Olabode is passionate about driving growth and profitability at the Executive Management level, leveraging his expertise in real estate and investment management.
MR. OBIORA NWOGUGU
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Obiora Nwogugu is a Principal at African Capital Alliance (ACA), a premier private equity firm with a strong focus on Africa. He previously served as the fund manager for Capital Alliance Property Investment Company, one of ACA’s six managed funds. Prior to joining ACA, Mr. Nwogugu built an extensive career in the United States, holding key roles at ING Clarion Partners, Bank of America’s Mergers and Acquisitions division, Global Crossing Inc., and McKinsey & Company, all based in New York. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Nigeria, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Computer Science from New York University. Mr. Nwogugu’s depth of experience in finance and investment is expected to significantly support the company’s fundraising efforts and drive its planned expansion across major African cities.
MR. OLUFEMI ADEWOLE
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Olufemi Henry Adewole is the pioneer Managing Director of First World Communities Ltd in 2008 and went on to become the MD of Shelter Afrique, before retiring as MD of Family Homes Funds in 2022. Femi was recommended to join the board in 2020 but this was deferred in preference to his engagement as Chief Corporate Transition Executive. His term in this role will expire in April 2025. Femi is a renowned housing finance professional and chartered architect with over 25 years’ experience leading housing initiatives across Sub Sahara Africa and the United Kingdom. He served in some of the largest housing companies around the globe such as Watford Community Housing Trust, Notting Hill Housing Group, and the Lagos HABITAT 2011 Project. Mr Adewole is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School and Warwick Business School. His deep institutional knowledge of the company and the housing industry would be an asset to our board. Femi was born in Ogbomosho in 1962..
DR. OKECHUKWU NWUKE
Non-Executive Director
Dr. Okechukwu (Okey) Vitalis Nwuke, FCA, FCIT, DBA, is a faculty member at Lagos Business School (LBS) and Director of the Family Business Initiative, where he champions governance, succession planning, and sustainability for family-owned businesses. He is a seasoned banking executive and corporate governance expert with over 22 years of experience at GTBank Plc and Access Bank Plc, where he served as Executive Director, Corporate & Investment Banking. He currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Access Bank Plc and sits on the boards of several leading organisations, including Coscharis Group subsidiaries, Access Pensions Limited, ActivEdge Technologies Ltd, First World Communities Ltd, and NASCON Plc. Dr. Nwuke holds a B.Sc. in Accountancy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an MBA (Distinction) in International Banking & Finance from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Leadership from Walden University, USA. He has also completed executive education programmes at Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, INSEAD, IMD, and IESE. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), and an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).
DR. FOLAKEMI FADAHUNSI
Non-Executive Director
Dr Folakemi Fadahunsi (DFF), is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Aspire HMO Limited. She is a Finance Professional with over 25 years of experience and with expertise in Leadership, Strategy, Finance, and Risk & Compliance Management. Her experience cuts across consumer market companies across various sectors, including Healthcare, Retail, Real Estate, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications, among others. DFF has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Physics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and a Master of Business Administration from Alliance Manchester Business School, Manchester, UK. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. Folakemi has a PhD in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the International School of Management, France. She is a Non-Executive Director of First World Communities Limited, Proworth Investment Company Limited, Trives Financial Company Limited, and Vantage Forum LTD/GTE. Folakemi also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Fadahunsi Education Foundation.
MR. OLUMIDE SOYOMBO
Non-Executive Director
Mr. Olumide Soyombo is a Tech Entrepreneur and Investor who co-founded Bluechip Technologies Ltd in 2008, where he leads strategy, implementation and projects as he works to build the company into a tech industry leader and has grown the organisation from two employees to over 80 consultants spread across Lagos, Accra and Lusaka, Zambia. Olumide later set up Leadpath as a seed fund investing in local tech startups. He has invested in startups like Pushcv.com, Paystack, Piggybank.ng, Fashpa, Heels.com.ng, Delivery Science, Gloo.ng and Cosign.co. He holds a BSc in Systems Engineering from University of Lagos, Nigeria and an MSc (Distinction) in Business and Information Technology from the Aston Business School, Birmingham, England; earning membership into the Beta Gamma Sigma Society for his high scholastic achievement. Olumide was born in Benin City in 1983..
DR. BUSOLA TEJUMOLA
Alternate Director
Dr. Busola Tejumola. In line with the need for succession planning, the appointment of Dr. Busola Tejumola as alternate director for the Chairman is proposed. The Alternate Director is to attend meetings in the absence of the Chairman. Busola is currently the Executive Head General Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd and her leadership has been pivotal in delivering captivating African narratives and innovative entertainment solutions. Her commitment to customer delight through exceptional content is a critical contribution to the growth and sustainability of MultiChoice Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan Nigeria, a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Management and information systems from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Management Information Systems from Brunel University, United Kingdom. Dr. Tejumola is expected to be a good bridge with our target market demography. Busola was born in Lagos in 1983.
Corporate Governance
At First World Communities, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our board operates with transparency, accountability, and a focus on long-term sustainable value creation.
Board Independence
Our board maintains a majority of independent directors to ensure objective oversight
Committee Structure
Specialized committees for Audit, Risk, Nominations, and Remuneration
Strategic Oversight
Regular review of strategy, performance, and risk management frameworks
