Paul Onwuanibe

At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Paul Onwuanibe.

Paul is the Managing Director and CEO of Landmark Africa Group, a leading African-focused real estate and lifestyle company. He began his career in the built environment with a solid academic foundation in Architecture, Property Development, and Construction Management. He later earned an MBA from the London Business School, graduating with merit in "Value Engineering."

With over 20 years of professional experience, Paul has designed and executed projects across Africa, USA, and Europe. He previously served as Development Director at Beacon Housing in the UK and held a key executive role at Regus Plc, overseeing the Property and Logistics team during a period of rapid global expansion that saw the launch of 190 business centres worldwide.

Born in London, Paul moved to Nigeria with his brother at the age of 10 to attend school. He later returned to the UK for his A-levels before heading back to Nigeria to study Architecture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He furthered his education in the UK, culminating in his MBA at London Business School.

Paul’s impressive journey in the property sector led him to work alongside Mark Dixon, the founder of Regus. This pivotal experience inspired him to start his own venture. In his early 30s, Paul took a bold step founding Landmark in 1998.

Initially, Landmark established offices in London, Frankfurt, and Madrid. However, Paul sensed the business had untapped potential. A conversation with a friend sparked the idea to focus on Africa’s emerging real estate opportunities. Recognizing the continent’s vast promise, Paul launched Landmark Africa and expanded operations across several African countries.

In 2007, during a helicopter survey of Lagos, he discovered a prime yet undeveloped coastal site. After negotiating with the local royal family, he secured the land for $14 million. Since then, the Landmark team has raised over $140 million in capital for the project, which now has an enterprise value exceeding $200 million. The Landmark ecosystem attracts over 20,000 monthly visitors and offers a vibrant blend of business, leisure, and lifestyle experiences.

Continuing its growth across Nigeria, Landmark now operates the Landmark Nike Lake Resort in Enugu and is redeveloping the iconic Port Harcourt Tourist Beach into a premier leisure destination. With bold ambitions, Landmark is redefining leisure and hospitality throughout Africa.

Based in Victoria Island, Lagos, Landmark Africa is a leading lifestyle, hospitality, and tourism company designing world-class destinations. Its developments include Landmark Towers, Landmark Boulevard, the Hard Rock Café, and the Landmark Upside-Down House each contributing to a dynamic environment where people can relax, connect, and experience premium entertainment, retail, and hospitality.

Writing about Paul has been a privilege. His vision and accomplishments in commercial real estate are truly inspiring, and his success on the global stage exemplifies what can be achieved with courage, insight, and dedication.