Hello Thrivers,

For today’s THRIVE Influencer feature, we have with us Jane Itodo, Founder and CEO of Itodo Properties and Luxora Prime Developments Limited.

Jane began her real estate journey in her second year at the University of Lagos. What started as an interest in property sales has since grown into a successful career built on client education, referrals, and trust. In 2025 alone, she facilitated over ₦5 billion in property sales for property owners and developers. 

But today’s conversation is not simply about how much property she has sold. It is about how she built credibility in an industry where clients are expected to commit significant amounts of money before they can fully experience the value of what they are buying.

Trust takes years to build, yet one careless decision can destroy it almost immediately. Jane has learned how to protect that trust through transparency, due diligence, consistency, and a strong personal brand. Now, she is moving beyond selling properties for others and preparing to develop estates through Luxora Prime Developments Limited.

How did she move from selling properties as a university student to becoming a recognised player in Nigeria’s real estate industry?

Let’s hear from Jane.

My journey into real estate began when I was in my second year at the University of Lagos. It came from a genuine interest in the industry and a desire I had always carried to build something of my own.

Over the years, I had opportunities to work with different property owners and developers, helping clients identify and invest in properties that aligned with their goals. What started as a journey in real estate sales gradually became something much bigger.

For me, Itodo Properties is more than a business name. It represents growth, resilience, and my belief that real estate can genuinely transform people’s lives when it is approached with the right knowledge and integrity.

I believe credibility is the foundation of every successful real estate business.

People are not simply buying land or houses. They are trusting you with their hard-earned money and, in many cases, their dreams for the future.

From the beginning, I understood that I had to build a business people could trust. I focused on being transparent, educating my clients, remaining available and ensuring I understood what I was selling before asking anyone else to invest in it.

One thing my clients often tell me is, “Jane, you are really good at what you do.”

To me, that compliment means more than any amount of money I can make from a transaction because it confirms that the client felt secure and properly guided throughout the process.

The first thing I tell people is this: do not buy property simply because someone is pressuring you to buy quickly.

Do your research. Understand the location, investigate the title and ownership of the property, verify the documents, and know exactly what you are buying and who you are buying it from.

You should also understand the development plans for the area.

Another important lesson is that a good property investment is not always the cheapest property. You have to consider the location, accessibility, infrastructure, development potential, title, demand and your investment timeline.

Real estate is a long-term game. The right property can create significant wealth, but the wrong property can become a very expensive lesson.

I believe people come back when they feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for.

For me, a client is not just a transaction. I want my clients to understand that I am interested in their success beyond the day they make payment.

I maintain relationships with them, educate them about new opportunities, and remain available even after a transaction has been completed. Many of my clients have become repeat investors because they trust my judgment and know I am not simply looking for the next sale.

One of the greatest compliments I can receive is when a client says, “I bought my first property from you, and now I want to buy another one.”

That tells me I am doing something right.

I have also watched some properties I sold in underdeveloped areas appreciate significantly over time. Imagine buying a plot for about ₦850,000 and seeing it sell for approximately ₦7.5 million three years later.

I also sold duplexes around Chevron for about ₦65 million roughly four years ago, and similar properties in that area are now worth around ₦300 million.

When clients see that kind of appreciation, they understand that I was not merely trying to sell them something.

One major trend I have noticed is the growing interest in emerging locations.

More investors are beginning to understand that they do not always have to start with the most expensive areas to build wealth through real estate. As cities expand, people are looking more closely at developing locations with strong potential for future growth.

I also see more young Nigerians becoming interested in property. People are becoming more financially conscious and are looking for tangible assets that can preserve and grow their wealth.

Some of the biggest opportunities are in strategically located emerging areas where infrastructure and population growth are likely to create future demand. Examples include the Ibadan–Moniya–Iseyin Road axis, Mowe, Ofada, Gwagwalada and Idu in Abuja.

For me, the smartest question is not only, “Where is everyone buying today?”

It is, “Where will people want to live, work and invest tomorrow?”

Social media has completely changed the way real estate professionals connect with potential clients.

It has allowed me to reach people beyond my immediate environment and build relationships with clients long before they meet me physically.

I do not use social media only to advertise properties. I also use it to educate people, share my experiences, answer questions and show the person behind the business.

One mistake some agents make is focusing too heavily on selling without building trust. When every post says, “Buy now, buy now, buy now,” people may begin to see you as someone who is only interested in collecting their money.

Some clients tell me, “Jane, I have been watching you for a while, and it is because of you that I finally decided to invest in Nigeria.”

Through my educational videos, I have helped many Nigerians in the diaspora feel more confident about investing in the country and understanding the potential return on investment when the right property is selected.

One of the biggest lessons has been understanding that building a business is not always a straight line.

There have been seasons when things did not go according to plan. I have faced unexpected challenges, difficult decisions and moments when I had to rethink certain parts of the brand.

Entrepreneurship has taught me resilience. You have to be willing to start again without seeing it as failure.

Imagine paying for advertisements, following up with clients and spending money to conduct inspections, only for a client to disappoint you at the last minute.

It can be enough to make you want to give up, but I thank God I never did.

I have also learned that growth requires evolution. What worked for me three years ago may not be enough to take me to the next level today.

I have had to become more strategic, patient and intentional about the business I want to build. Every setback has forced me to ask better questions and become a stronger entrepreneur.

Selling is only one part of real estate.

The first things you need are grit and resilience. Beyond those, you need integrity, communication skills, emotional intelligence, consistency, research abilities and a willingness to keep learning.

You must understand your market and your clients. You need to know how to negotiate, communicate effectively and remain patient because real estate does not always produce instant results.

Most importantly, you need integrity.

My vision has evolved beyond simply selling properties.

I want to build a real estate brand known for trust, quality, innovation and value creation.

I am passionate about moving into property development because I want to help create communities and spaces people can genuinely feel proud to own or live in. I want to develop properties that are thoughtfully planned, strategically located and designed with the future in mind.

Through Luxora Prime Developments Limited, we plan to develop world-class estates that stand out for the right reasons.

Ultimately, I also want my work to contribute to wealth creation. I want people to say they began their property journey with me and that, years later, the decision made a meaningful difference in their lives.

My goal is to build something that outlives me.

Do not underrate your humble beginning, and do not allow your current reality to convince you that your vision is impossible.

I started real estate while my family and I were living in a one-room, face-me-I-face-you apartment in Agege, Lagos. Years later, I built a house for my mother where the whole family now lives, and today, I am preparing to develop estates.

Do not limit yourself.

There were times when I did not have everything figured out. There were times when I had to learn as I went, make mistakes, start over and keep moving.

But I have learned that consistency can take you to places talent alone cannot.

You do not need to have everything perfect before you start. You need to begin, learn, adapt and keep showing up.

Most importantly, build your name with integrity. Build something you will be proud to put your name on.

Jane Itodo’s story proves that trust is not a soft business value. In an industry like real estate, it is a measurable competitive advantage.

From entering real estate as a university student to facilitating billions of naira in transactions and preparing to develop her own estates, Jane’s growth has been shaped by consistency, resilience and the decision to protect her name.

For entrepreneurs, the lesson goes beyond property: do not focus only on making the next sale. Build the kind of business people can confidently return to, recommend and trust with something important.

If you want to connect with Jane or receive more real estate and property investment advice, you can reach her here.

Till next time,

Team Thrive

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