Four National honours in four years: Dr. Richard Nyong’s Legacy of impact gains new National spotlight

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In a moment that further cements his place among Nigeria’s most impactful private-sector leaders, Dr. Richard Nyong, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Gardens Group, has received his fourth major national recognition in four consecutive years, marking another milestone in a career defined by enterprise, innovation, and nation-building.

The latest honor, an Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FN/NIQS), was conferred on Dr. Nyong in recognition of his transformational contributions to Nigeria’s real estate sector, housing delivery, job creation, and urban development.

This newest recognition adds to an exceptional string of national and traditional honors earned within a four-year period, namely:

Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON)– Conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari, 2022

Honorary Doctorate Degree – University of Port Harcourt

Chieftaincy Title–Conferred by the Oba of Epe

Honorary Fellowship (FN/NIQS) – 2025

Together, these honors represent one of the most consistent streaks of national recognition by any Nigerian real estate entrepreneur in recent history.

FROM HOUSING DEFICIT TO NATIONAL IMPACT

Dr. Richard Nyong is the Founder, Managing Director and CEO of Lekki Gardens Group,one of West Africa’s leading real estate development companies, driven by a clear mission of “Luxury You Can Afford.”

Since launching his real estate journey in 2012 with a bold vision to address Nigeria’s housing deficit, Lekki Gardens has:

Developed and delivered over 20,000 housing units across Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.

Over 25,000 additional units currently in the pipeline across 60 ongoing projects.

Created over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for artisans, professionals, contractors, and service providers

Introduced flexible and inclusive payment structures that have expanded home ownership for middle-income Nigerians.

Under his leadership, the Lekki Gardens Group has grown into a portfolio of high-performing real estate special purpose vehicles (SPVs) including Foreshore Waters, Horizon Estates, Meridian Lux Park, Port Harcourt Gardens, Life Camp Paradise (Abuja) and several others.

His work has earned coverage on major local and international platforms including CNBC Africa, BusinessDay Nigeria, and other global business media.

A NATIONAL LEGACY STILL IN MOTION

Reacting to the latest recognition, Dr. Nyong reaffirmed his long-standing commitment to national development through private enterprise.

“These honours are not just for me as an individual; they are recognition of what is possible when the private sector commits fully to nation-building. Housing is not just business—it is dignity, stability, jobs, and the foundation of strong communities.”

He added that his focus remains firmly on scaling affordable housing delivery, deepening youth employment, and strengthening trust and professionalism in Nigeria’s real estate ecosystem.

LEKKI GARDENS: REAL ESTATE AS NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Industry analysts describe Lekki Gardens not merely as a property developer, but as a housing infrastructure partner to the Nigerian economy, with projects spread across critical high-growth urban corridors. The company’s scale of delivery and employment impact continues to place it at the centre of conversations around urban planning, smart housing, and economic inclusion.

Born in Lagos on May 28, 1981, Dr. Nyong holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Doctor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Port Harcourt. He is a board member of several thriving companies across Africa and remains deeply committed to philanthropy, youth development, and enterprise mentorship.

He is married with children and is widely regarded as a leader driven by audacious goals, clear mission, and enduring values.

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