Raymond Ijeomah, the founder and CEO of Fortreal Rei Limited, has been officially recognized as one of Nigeria's most impactful business leaders. His selection for The Guardian's 2025 list of 100 Top Strategic CEOs of Nigeria's Most Transformative Companies highlights a journey of remarkable resilience and visionary leadership in the real estate sector.
From Legal Practice to Real Estate Visionary
Raised in Kwale, Delta State, Raymond Ijeomah is a law graduate from the University of Benin, called to the Nigerian Bar in 2017. However, after just two years in legal practice, he made a bold pivot. He resigned from a secure job to chase his entrepreneurial dream, founding Fortreal Rei Limited. This decision came at a perilous time, compounded by the loss of his savings during the NBAForex crash and the global economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting with minimal resources but unwavering vision, Ijeomah built Fortreal into a powerhouse in real estate education, investment, and development. Beyond his corporate role, he serves as the lead facilitator at the Fortreal Real Estate Academy and hosts the influential Abuja Real Estate Conference.
The TESS Initiative: Fortreal's Transformational Engine
When asked about his company's core mission, Ijeomah points to the TESS initiative: Transformation, Empowerment, Sustainable Wealth, and Shelter. This four-pillar framework guides all of Fortreal's operations.
Transformation involves moving individuals from obscurity to relevance. Empowerment comes through comprehensive education, which Ijeomah identifies as a critical tool to combat widespread ignorance in Nigeria's real estate market. Sustainable Wealth is built for clients through prudent investments, and Shelter is achieved by helping people transition from renting to homeownership.
This holistic strategy has proven immensely successful. Fortreal has attracted investors from over twenty countries and trained thousands of students from three continents through its academy.
Conquering Sector Challenges with Ruthless Execution
Ijeomah is candid about the hurdles facing Nigerian real estate: unverified land titles, regulatory inconsistencies, trust deficits, and a lack of professionalism. Fortreal tackles these head-on with a multi-pronged approach.
The company leverages its in-house legal expertise, enforces strict transparency, adheres to strong construction fundamentals, and practices prudent financial management. Ijeomah emphasizes what he calls "ruthless execution." A prime example is the Avana Grove project, where major structural works reached the decking stage within just four months of land acquisition, despite delays from the rainy season.
Notable Achievements and Future Ambitions
The year 2025 was particularly significant for Fortreal Rei Limited. The company launched four major estates: Rei Ville, Fortreal Horizon, Avana Grove, and Fortreal Prime Haven.
Its educational arm, the Fortreal Real Estate Academy, has trained thousands in specialized programs covering marketing, sales, law, taxation, and compliance. The organization has also published two nationally recognized books, with a third, "The Real Estate Blueprint," scheduled for release in December 2025.
Other key milestones include the successful Abuja Real Estate Conference and the launch of the Fortreal Real Estate Academy Alumni Association, extending its network across Africa.
Looking forward, Raymond Ijeomah envisions continental expansion. His goals include establishing Fortreal in other African nations, creating more physical and virtual learning centers, directly addressing Nigeria's housing deficit, and enabling global clients to build lasting wealth through the company's projects.
Advice for the Next Generation
To aspiring entrepreneurs, Ijeomah offers grounded counsel. He advises starting small but starting right, building a foundation on knowledge, discipline, and integrity. He warns against the lure of quick success, urging a focus on mastery instead. In his view, while talent is valuable, it is consistency that ultimately yields extraordinary results.
A devoted family man to his wife, Mirabel Raymond, and their child, Ijeomah's story is a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. It demonstrates how clarity of purpose, ethical practice, and relentless execution can forge success and inspire an entire industry.
