Nigeria and Taiwan, despite their differences in geography and natural resources, can work together to strengthen Nigeria’s real estate industry, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Taiwan’s Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria, has said.
Liu, who spoke in Lagos during the Annual General Meeting of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) Nigeria Chapter, explained that Taiwan’s development model could serve as a reference point for Nigeria, particularly in housing and urban planning.
According to him, while Taiwan faces frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding, Nigeria is relatively free of such hazards except for flooding, which is largely man-made. He argued that these contrasting realities provide opportunities for learning and exchange of expertise between the two countries.
“Taiwan and Nigeria are so different from each other. Nigeria is a big country with every natural resource that we don’t have. Taiwan suffers from all the natural disasters. That’s why our development experience can be quite a useful reference for Nigeria,” Liu said.
He stressed that real estate must focus on providing decent shelter, quality infrastructure, and efficient transport systems for the public, noting that Taiwan’s experience could guide Nigeria in delivering sustainable housing while ensuring resilience against environmental challenges.
Liu also pointed to education as a major pillar of Taiwan’s progress. With no natural resources to rely on, he said, Taiwan invested heavily in education over the past four to five decades, resulting in an illiteracy rate of less than two percent. He noted that this emphasis on human capital has been key to development across all sectors, including real estate, and urged Nigeria to adopt a similar long-term strategy where government and the private sector work together to deliver growth.
At the meeting, FIABCI Nigeria Chapter president, Akin Opatola, said the AGM provided an opportunity to induct 20 new members and reflect on the successes of the 75th FIABCI World Real Estate Congress, which Lagos hosted in June. He told the new inductees that they were joining a global family of real estate professionals and urged them to actively engage and take advantage of the opportunities the network offers.
Adeniji Adele, President of FIABCI Africa and Near East Region, described the AGM as more than just a statutory duty. He said it was a chance to consolidate gains from the World Congress and use the momentum to deepen collaboration with government and private sector players while strengthening FIABCI’s presence in the region.
